[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 91 (Monday, May 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25832-25833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12041]



[[Page 25832]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-96-AD; Amendment 39-10018; AD 97-10-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain IAI Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes, 
that requires 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 amendment also 
will require the eventual accomplishment of this modification on all 
airplanes, which will terminate the repetitive inspections. This 
amendment 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 that run through the bellcranks attached to it. The 
actions specified by this 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: Effective June 16, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 16, 1997.

ADDRESSES: 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 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: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2141; 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 
(IAI), Ltd. Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes was published in 
the Federal Register on February 19, 1997 (62 FR 7385). That action 
proposed to 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, that 
action proposed to require modification of the attachment between the 
beam and the fuselage by the installation of additional fasteners. 
Additionally, that action proposed to require that this modification be 
installed eventually on all affected airplanes.
    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 58 IAI Model 1125 Westwind Astra series 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the required visual inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required 
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,480, or $60 per 
airplane, per inspection.
    It will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required terminating modification, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. The cost of parts is minimal. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the required modification 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 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 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.
    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:

97-10-06  Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Ltd.: Amendment 39-
10018. 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.

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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 
paragraph (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.
    (e) The inspections and modification shall be done in accordance 
with IAI Service Bulletin SB 1125-53-135, dated April 26, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 16, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 2, 1997.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-12041 Filed 5-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U