[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 236 (Thursday, December 9, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68959-68960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31875]



[[Page 68959]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-256-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
Astra SPX Series 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 certain Israel Aircraft Industries 
Model Astra SPX series airplanes. This proposal would 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. This proposal is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed 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: Comments must be received by January 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-256-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 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.

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:

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 99-NM-256-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-256-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Israel, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Israel Aircraft Industries Model Astra 
SPX series airplanes. The CAAI advises that the six attachment bolt 
holes drilled in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal 
stabilizer may be countersunk to 90 degrees instead of the specified 
100 degrees. Incorrect countersinking of the attachment bolt holes can 
degrade the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer 
attachment. This condition, if not corrected, could result in cracks in 
the lower scissors fitting and fitting attachment bolts of the 
horizontal stabilizer, possible in-flight loss of the horizontal 
stabilizer, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Israel Aircraft Industries has issued Astra Alert Service Bulletin 
1125-55A-192, Revision 1, dated June 1, 1999, which describes 
procedures for a one-time detailed visual inspection to measure the 
countersink angle of the bolt holes in the lower scissors fitting of 
the horizontal stabilizer, and corrective actions, if necessary. 
Corrective actions include detailed visual inspection of the fitting 
attachment bolts to detect concave bolt heads, rework of the bolt 
holes, and replacement of the existing bolts with new bolts. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the alert service bulletin 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The 
CAAI classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Israeli airworthiness directive 55-99-04-02R2, dated August 4, 1999, 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 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 accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the alert service bulletin described 
previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Alert Service Bulletin and This Proposed AD

    Operators should note that, although Astra Alert Service Bulletin 
1125-55A-192, Revision 1, lists the effectivity of the alert service 
bulletin as Model ASTRA SPX series airplanes having serial numbers 085 
through 102 and 105 through 112, Israeli airworthiness directive 55-99-
04-02R2 states that it

[[Page 68960]]

applies to airplanes having serial numbers 085 through 112 inclusive. 
The applicability specified in this proposed AD reflects the 
applicability specified in the Israeli airworthiness directive.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 19 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 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 
proposed 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 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, Ltd.: Docket 99-NM-256-AD.

    Applicability: Model Astra SPX series airplanes, serial numbers 
085 through 112 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 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 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 
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.

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

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 3, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31875 Filed 12-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P