[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26776-26778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13230]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-94-AD; Amendment 39-9635; AD 96-11-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain IAI, Ltd., Model 1125 Westwind Astra series 
airplanes. This action requires a visual inspection for clearance 
between the hydraulic lines/vacuum lines and the electrical wire 
bundles, and repair or replacement of damaged lines or wire bundles 
with serviceable parts. This AD also requires installation of neoprene 
hose around the affected hydraulic lines and vacuum lines. This 
amendment is prompted by a report indicating that chafing was found on 
a hydraulic line. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent such chafing, which could

[[Page 26777]]

result in leakage of hydraulic fluid and subsequent loss of one of the 
two hydraulic systems.

DATES: Effective June 13, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 13, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-94-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: 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 Israel 
Aircraft Industries (IAI), Ltd., Model 1125 Westwind Astra series 
airplanes. The CAAI advises that it received a report indicating that 
chafing was found on a hydraulic line located at fuselage station 
383.00. This chafing was the result of an electrical wire bundle 
sagging and coming in contact with the hydraulic lines in the area. 
Chafing of a hydraulic line can result in leakage of hydraulic fluid. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of one of the 
two hydraulic systems.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Astra Jet has issued Service Bulletin SB 1125-29-139, dated August 
2, 1995, which describes procedures for a visual inspection for 
clearance between the hydraulic lines/vacuum lines and the electrical 
wire bundles, and repair or replacement of damaged lines or wire 
bundles with serviceable parts. The service bulletin also describes 
procedures for installation of neoprene hose around the affected 
hydraulic lines and vacuum lines. Accomplishment of the installation 
will protect the hydraulic lines located at fuselage station 383.00 
from possible chafing. The CAAI classified this service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Israeli AD No. 96-19, dated February 8, 1996, 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 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, this AD is being issued to prevent chafing of the 
hydraulic lines, which could result in leakage of hydraulic fluid and 
subsequent loss of one of the two hydraulic systems. This AD requires a 
visual inspection for clearance between the hydraulic lines/vacuum 
lines and the electrical wire bundles, and repair or replacement of 
damaged lines or wire bundles with serviceable parts. This AD also 
requires installation of neoprene hose around the affected hydraulic 
lines and vacuum lines. The actions are required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the service bulletin described previously.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption addresses. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 96-NM-94-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy

[[Page 26778]]

of it, if filed, 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:

96-11-10  Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Ltd.: Amendment 39-9635. 
Docket 96-NM-94-AD.

    Applicability: Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes, 
serial numbers 004 through 076 inclusive; 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 chafing of the hydraulic lines, which could 
result in leakage of hydraulic fluid and subsequent loss of one of 
the two hydraulic systems, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this 
AD in accordance with Astra Jet Service Bulletin SB 1125-29-139, 
dated August 2, 1995.
    (1) Perform a visual inspection for clearance between the 
hydraulic lines/vacuum lines and the electrical wire bundles at 
fuselage station 383.00, in accordance with the service bulletin. 
Prior to further flight, repair or replace any damaged line or wire 
bundle with a serviceable part in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (2) Install neoprene hose around the affected hydraulic lines 
and vacuum lines in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (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, 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.
    (c) 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.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Astra Jet 
Service Bulletin SB 1125-29-139, dated August 2, 1995. 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 Technical Publications, Astra Jet 
Corporation, 77 McCullough Drive, Suite 11, New Castle, Delaware 
19720. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 13, 1996.
    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-13230 Filed 5-28 -96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P