[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15746-15748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8224]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-104-AD; Amendment 39-10427; AD 98-07-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Ltd., 
Model 1125 Westwind Astra and Astra SPX 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 all IAI, Ltd., Model 1125 Westwind Astra and Astra SPX 
series airplanes. This action requires disabling of the baggage 
compartment electrical heating blankets. This amendment is prompted by 
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified in this AD are 
intended to prevent overheating of the electrical heating blankets, and 
consequent increased risk of fire in the baggage compartment.

DATES: Effective April 16, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 16, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-104-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    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 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.


[[Page 15747]]


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: 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 1125 Westwind Astra and Astra SPX series airplanes. The CAAI 
advises that it has received reports of overheating of baggage 
compartment heating blankets, which caused delamination, heat damage, 
and burn marks to the blankets and baggage compartment liner. The cause 
of this overheating is currently under investigation. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in increased risk of fire in the baggage 
compartment.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Astra Alert Service Bulletin 1125-25A-
175, dated February 22, 1998, which describes procedures for disabling 
of the baggage compartment electrical heating blankets. The disabling 
involves pulling certain circuit breakers, securing the open circuit 
breakers with clips or ties, tagging as ``Disabled per Service Bulletin 
1125-25A-175,'' and installing an ``INOP'' placard on the BAGGAGE 
COMPRT HEAT switch. The CAAI classified this alert service bulletin as 
mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 25-98-02-07, dated 
February 23, 1998, 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 overheating of 
the electrical heating blankets located in the baggage compartment, and 
consequent increased risk of fire. This AD requires accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the alert service bulletin described 
previously.

Interim Action

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

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 98-NM-104-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 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:

98-07-08  Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), Ltd.: Amendment 39-
10427. Docket 98-NM-104-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 1125 Westwind Astra and Astra SPX 
series airplanes, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability

[[Page 15748]]

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 overheating of the electrical heating blankets, and 
consequent increased risk of fire in the baggage compartment, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 24 hours after the effective date of this AD, disable 
the baggage compartment heating blankets in accordance with Astra 
Alert Service Bulletin 1125-25A-175, dated February 22, 1998.
    (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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (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 Alert 
Service Bulletin 1125-25A-175, dated February 22, 1998. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 25-98-02-07, dated February 23, 1998.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 16, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 24, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8224 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U