[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