[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7385-7387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3969]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-96-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Ltd. 
Model 1125 Westwind Astra Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness

[[Page 7386]]

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain IAI Model 1125 Westwind 
Astra series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive 
inspections to detect loose or damaged rivets that fasten a certain 
support beam to the frame of the fuselage; and modification of the 
attachment between the support beam and fuselage by installation of 
additional fasteners, if necessary. This proposal also would require 
the eventual accomplishment of this modification on all airplanes, 
which would terminate the repetitive inspections. This proposal is 
prompted by reports indicating that the attachment between this beam 
and the fuselage has become loose on several airplanes. Movement of 
this beam could restrict the movement of the elevator and rudder 
controls cab that run through the bellcranks attached to it. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent movement 
of this beam, which could restrict movement of the elevator and rudder 
controls, and consequently lead to reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-96-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Technical Publications, Astra Jet Corporation, 77 
McCullough Drive, Suite 11, New Castle, Delaware 19720. This 
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 
227-2141; fax (206) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 96-NM-96-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 96-NM-96-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Israel, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain IAI Model 1125 Westwind Astra 
series airplanes. The CAAI advises that it has received reports 
indicating that rivets fastening the support beam to the fuselage frame 
at station 452.00 have become loose on several Model 1125 Westwind 
Astra series airplanes. Should these rivets loosen where the beam 
attaches to the frame, the beam could move. Because the elevator and 
rudder controls run through bellcranks that are connected to this beam, 
movement of this beam could restrict the movement of these controls. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Astra Jet has issued Service Bulletin SB 1125-53-135, dated April 
26, 1995, which describes procedures for repetitive visual inspections 
of the rivets fastening the support beam to the fuselage frame at 
station 452.00; these inspections are to detect any rivet that is loose 
or has been damaged by the relative movement of the rivet against the 
support beam (a ``fretted rivet''). This service bulletin also 
describes procedures for modifying the attachment between the beam and 
the fuselage by the installation of additional fasteners that will 
strengthen this attachment. Accomplishment of this modification 
eliminates the need for repetitive inspections. The CAAI classified 
this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness 
directive 95-34, dated May 18, 1995, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in Israel.

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in Israel and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAAI has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the CAAI, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered 
in the United States, the proposed AD would require repetitive visual 
inspections to detect loose or fretted rivets that fasten the support 
beam to the fuselage frame at station 452.00. Should any loose or 
fretted rivet be detected, the proposed AD would require modification 
of the attachment between the beam and the fuselage by the installation 
of additional fasteners. Additionally, this proposed AD would require 
that this modification be installed eventually on all affected 
airplanes. Accomplishment of this modification also would terminate the 
requirement for repetitive inspections. The actions would be required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 58 IAI Model 1125 Westwind Astra series 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed visual inspection, and the average labor rate is $60 per 
work hour.

[[Page 7387]]

Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,480, or $60 per airplane, per 
inspection.
    It would take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed terminating modification, and the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. The cost of parts is minimal. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $27,840, or $480 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under 
the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Ltd.: Docket 96-NM-96-AD.

    Applicability: Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes as 
listed in IAI Service Bulletin SB 1125-53-135, dated April 26, 1995; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent movement of the support beam attached to the fuselage 
frame at station 452.00, which could restrict movement of the 
elevator and rudder controls, and consequently lead to reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, conduct a visual inspection to detect loose or damaged 
(``fretted'') rivets that fasten the support beam to the fuselage 
frame at station 452.000, in accordance with Part A of IAI Service 
Bulletin SB 1125-53-135, dated April 26, 1995.
    (1) If no loose or fretted rivet is detected, repeat this 
inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 hours time-in-
service until the modification required by paragraph (b) of this AD 
is accomplished.
    (2) If any loose or fretted rivet is detected, prior to further 
flight, modify the support beam in accordance with Part B of IAI 
Service Bulletin SB 1125-53-135, dated April 26, 1995. After this 
modification is accomplished, no further action is required by 
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this AD.
    (b) Within 500 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, modify the support beam in accordance with Part B of IAI 
Service Bulletin SB 1125-53-135, dated April 26, 1995. 
Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a)(1) of this 
AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 11, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3969 Filed 2-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U