[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8848-8849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3887]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-256-AD; Amendment 39-11587; AD 2000-04-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
Astra SPX 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 Israel Aircraft Industries Model Astra SPX series 
airplanes, that requires 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 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by this 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: Effective March 29, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES: 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 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: 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: 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 
Model Astra SPX series airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on December 9, 1999 (64 FR 68959). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

    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 19 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required 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 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 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:
2000-04-05  Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-11587. 
Docket 99-NM-256-AD.
    Applicability: Model Astra SPX 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 
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

[[Page 8849]]

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 
Secs. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Astra Alert 
Service Bulletin 1125-55A-192, Revision 1, dated June 1, 1999. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 55-99-04-02R2, dated August 4, 1999.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 29, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3887 Filed 2-22-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U