Airworthiness directives: Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.,

[Federal Register: February 23, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 36)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 8848-8849]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23fe00-4]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-256-AD; Amendment 39-11587; AD 2000-04-05]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Israel Aircraft Industries Model Astra SPX series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to measure the countersink angle of the bolt holes in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer, and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracks in the lower scissors fitting and fitting attachment bolts of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result in possible in-flight loss of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 29, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Galaxy Aerospace Corporation, One Galaxy Way, Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Fort Worth, Texas 76177. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Israel Aircraft Industries Model Astra SPX series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1999 (64 FR 68959). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection to measure the countersink angle of the bolt holes in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer, and corrective actions, if necessary.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 19 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection to measure the countersink angle of the bolt holes, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $22,800, or $1,200 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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: 2000-04-05 Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-11587. Docket 99-NM-256-AD.

   Applicability: Model Astra SPX series airplanes, certificated in any category.

   Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 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 (b) 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 cracks in the lower scissors fitting and fitting attachment bolts of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result in possible in-flight loss of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

   Inspections and Corrective Actions

   (a) Within 30 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection of the bolt holes in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer to

   [[Page 8849]]

   measure the countersink angle, in accordance with Astra Alert Service Bulletin 1125-55A-192, Revision 1, dated June 1, 1999.

   (1) If the measured angle of countersink is within the limits specified in the alert service bulletin, no further action is required by this AD.

   (2) If the measured countersink angle is outside the limits specified in the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, perform a detailed visual inspection of the fitting attachment bolts in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer to detect concave bolt heads, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

   (i) If no bolt head is found to be concave, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 flight hours; and, within 250 flight hours after the initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, rework all bolt holes and replace the existing bolts with new bolts in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin. Such rework constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this paragraph.

   (ii) If any bolt head is found to be concave, prior to further flight, rework all bolt holes and replace the existing bolts with new bolts, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin.

   Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

   Alternative Methods of Compliance

   (b) 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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International Branch, ANM-116.

   Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

   Special Flight Permits

   (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 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.

   Incorporation by Reference

   (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Astra Alert Service Bulletin 1125-55A-192, Revision 1, dated June 1, 1999. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Galaxy Aerospace Corporation, One Galaxy Way, Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Fort Worth, Texas 76177. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

   Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli airworthiness directive 55-99-04-02R2, dated August 4, 1999.

   (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 29, 2000.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 2000. Donald L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 00-3887Filed2-22-00; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-U