[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 179 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55450-55452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23205]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-287-AD; Amendment 39-11896; AD 2000-18-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
1125 Westwind Astra 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 certain Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 1125 
Westwind Astra series airplanes. This action requires revising the 
Airplane Flight Manual to provide the flight crew with operational 
guidance under certain failure conditions and a limitation not to 
engage the long-range navigation system during takeoff, approach, or 
landing. This action is necessary to prevent the loss of primary 
attitude and directional gyros, which relate position information to 
the flight crew. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective September 29, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 29, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before October 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-287-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-287-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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.

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, notified the 
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Israel Aircraft 
Industries, Ltd., Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. The CAAI 
reported a recent incident in which failure of a single alternating 
current (AC) inverter resulted in the simultaneous in-flight failure of 
all primary attitude and directional gyros on board.
    On these airplanes, AC power to the whole avionics system is 
supplied by the left inverter when the long-range navigation/flight 
management system is selected for navigation. When this inverter fails, 
all screens of the electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) could 
lose power. In addition, internal gyro fuses could burn out. The system 
to detect AC power failure is activated when the voltage drops below 65 
volts. There are several inverter failure modes that could cause the 
voltage to drop to slightly less than 100 volts; in that case, the 
avionics systems could fail, but no AC power failure would be 
announced. The CAAI advises that proper and timely corrective action 
(transferring all the loads to the alternate inverter) would alleviate 
the problem.
    In the subject incident, a single inverter failed and all EFIS 
screens temporarily lost power. Both primary gyros failed due to 
internal fuse burnout caused by low voltage. The flight crew was left 
with use of only the standby attitude indicator and magnetic compass to 
control the airplane. AC power was

[[Page 55451]]

eventually restored, except for gyro information.
    Unless proper and timely corrective action is taken, failure of the 
left inverter could result in the loss of power to the EFIS screens and 
internal gyros during takeoff, approach, or landing, and consequent 
loss of primary position information to the flight crew.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd. has issued Astra Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM) Temporary Revision No. 9, dated May 21, 2000, which 
provides the flight crew with operational guidance under certain 
failure conditions and a limitation not to engage the long-range 
navigation system during takeoff, approach, or landing. The CAAI 
classified this temporary revision as mandatory and issued Israeli 
airworthiness directive 34-00-07-04, dated July 10, 2000, in order to 
ensure 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 
Sec. 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 loss of 
primary attitude and directional gyros, which relate position 
information to the flight crew. This AD requires revising the 
Limitations and Abnormal Procedures Sections of the FAA-approved AFM to 
provide operational guidance for the flight crew under certain failure 
conditions and a limitation not to engage the long-range navigation 
system during takeoff, approach, or landing.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it may develop a modification that will positively address 
the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, the FAA may consider additional 
rulemaking.

Difference Between AD and Israeli Airworthiness Directive

    This AD requires that the AFM be revised within 10 days. The 
parallel Israeli airworthiness directive recommends that the AFM be 
revised within 1 month. In developing an appropriate compliance time 
for this AD, the FAA considered not only the CAAI's recommendation, but 
the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe 
condition, and the average utilization of the affected fleet. In light 
of these factors, the FAA finds a 10-day compliance time for initiating 
the required actions to be warranted, in that it represents an 
appropriate interval of time allowable for affected airplanes to 
continue to operate without compromising safety.

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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is 
being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 2000-NM-287-AD.'' The postcard will be date-stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

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.
    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:

[[Page 55452]]

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:

2000-18-11 Israel Aircraft Industries, LTD.: Amendment 39-11896. 
Docket 2000-NM-287-AD.

    Applicability: Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; serial numbers 004 through 029 
inclusive and 031 through 041 inclusive.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the loss of primary attitude and directional gyros, 
which relate position information to the flight crew, accomplish the 
following:

AFM Revision

    (a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations and Abnormal Procedures Sections of the Israel 
Aircraft Industries, Ltd. Astra Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) by 
inserting a copy of Temporary Revision No. 9, dated May 21, 2000, 
into the AFM.

    Note 1: When the temporary revision required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD has been incorporated into the general revisions of the AFM, 
the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, provided that 
the information contained in the general revisions is identical to 
that specified in the temporary revision.

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. 
Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Operations 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.

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 Israel Aircraft 
Industries, Ltd. Astra Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Revision No. 
9, dated May 21, 2000. 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 34-00-07-04, dated July 10, 2000.

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

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 5, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-23205 Filed 9-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P