[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46576-46577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22473]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-173-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Ltd., 
Model 1123, 1124, and 1124A 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 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all IAI, Ltd., Model 1123, 1124, 
and 1124A series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive 
inspections of the aileron push-pull tubes for excessive wear and the 
guide rollers for smooth rotation; and repair or replacement of worn 
parts with serviceable parts, if necessary. This proposal is prompted 
by reports of excessive wear on the aileron push-pull tube in the area 
of the guide rollers. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent such wear, which could result in uneven movement of 
the control wheel, perforation of the aileron push-pull tube, and 
consequent reduced roll control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-173-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-173-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-173-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 all IAI, Ltd., Model 1123, 1124, and 
1124A series airplanes. The CAAI advises that it has received reports 
indicating that excessive wear was found on the aileron push-pull tube 
in areas where the tube comes in contact with guide rollers. The cause 
of this excessive wear has been determined to be abrasion between the 
guide rollers and push-pull tube, possibly due to sticking of the guide 
rollers. This condition, if not corrected, could result in uneven 
movement of the control wheel, perforation of the aileron push-pull 
tube, and consequent reduced roll control of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Astra Jet has issued Service Bulletins SB 1123-27-043 (for Model 
1123 series airplanes), and SB 1124-27-129 (for Model 1124 and 1124A 
series airplanes), both dated June 12, 1995. The service bulletins 
describe procedures for repetitive inspections of the left and right 
aileron push-pull tubes for excessive wear and the guide rollers for 
smooth rotation; replacement of the push-pull tubes with serviceable 
parts, if necessary; and repair or replacement of the guide rollers 
with serviceable parts, if necessary. The CAAI classified these service 
bulletins as mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 95-
28, dated May 10, 1995, in order to assure the continued airworthiness 
of these airplanes in Israel.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in Israel and are 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 
inspections of the left and right aileron push-pull tubes for excessive 
wear and the guide rollers for smooth rotation; replacement of the 
push-pull tubes with serviceable parts, if necessary; and repair or 
replacement of the guide rollers with serviceable parts, if necessary. 
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletins described previously.

[[Page 46577]]

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 213 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspections, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$12,780, or $60 per airplane, per inspection.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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-173-AD.

    Applicability: All IAI, Ltd., Model 1123, 1124, and 1124A 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 
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 (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 excessive wear of the aileron push-pull tube, which 
could result in uneven movement of the control wheel, perforation of 
the aileron push-pull tube, and consequent reduced roll control of 
the airplane; accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of 
this AD, inspect the left and right aileron push-pull tubes for wear 
and the guide rollers for smoothness of rotation, in accordance with 
Astra Jet Service Bulletin SB 1123-27-043, dated June 12, 1995 (for 
Model 1123 series airplanes); or Service Bulletin SB 1124-27-129, 
dated June 12, 1995 (for Model 1124 and 1124A Series airplanes); as 
applicable.
    (1) If no wear is detected or if wear is within the limits 
specified in the applicable service bulletin, repeat the inspections 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time-in-service.
    (2) If any wear is detected and that wear is outside the limits 
specified in the applicable service bulletin, prior to further 
flight, replace the tube with serviceable parts in accordance with 
the applicable service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the inspections 
at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time-in-service.
    (3) If the guide rollers do not rotate smoothly, accomplish 
either paragraph (a)(3)(i) or (a)(3)(ii) of this AD. Thereafter, 
repeat the inspections at intervals not to exceed 600 hours time-in-
service.
    (i) Prior to further flight, repair the guide roller in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin. Or
    (ii) Prior to further flight, replace the guide roller with 
serviceable parts in accordance with the applicable 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 28, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22473 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U