[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 210 (Monday, October 30, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64631-64632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27797]



[[Page 64631]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-201-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
Galaxy 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, Ltd., Model Galaxy airplanes. This proposal would require 
replacement of certain existing fasteners in the aft pickup fittings of 
the horizontal stabilizer. This action is necessary to prevent fatigue 
failure of those fasteners, which could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the empennage. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 29, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-201-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-201-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 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.
    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 proposed 
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 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 2000-NM-201-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. 2000-NM-201-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, Ltd., Model 
Galaxy airplanes. The CAAI advises that early fatigue failure of the 
fasteners that support the aft pickup fittings of the horizontal 
stabilizer can occur. This failure was detected during a fatigue test 
conducted by the manufacturer. Such fatigue failure, if not corrected, 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the empennage.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Israel Aircraft Industries has issued GALAXY Service Bulletin 
GALAXY-55-008, dated March 23, 2000, which describes procedures for 
removing certain existing HI-LOKS or life-limited fasteners in the aft 
pickup fittings of the horizontal stabilizer, and replacing those 
fasteners with improved non-life-limited fasteners. The replacement 
involves measuring the diameter of the bolt shank, reaming holes, 
inspecting to detect cracks using an eddy current technique, and 
installing certain new bolts. Accomplishment of the actions specified 
in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. The CAAI classified this service bulletin 
as mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 55-00-04-05, 
dated April 27, 2000, 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 service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10 Model GALAXY airplanes of U.S. registry

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would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
16 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $250 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,100, 
or $1,210 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. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to 
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-201-AD.

    Applicability: Model GALAXY airplanes having serial numbers 004 
through 012 inclusive, and serial number 015; 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 fatigue failure of certain existing fasteners in the 
aft pickup fittings of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result 
in reduced structural integrity of the empennage, accomplish the 
following:

Fastener Replacement

    (a) Within 300 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
or within 3,600 flight hours after accomplishing GALAXY (Israel 
Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Service Bulletin GALAXY-55-031, whichever 
occurs later: Remove existing HI-LOKS or life-limited fasteners in 
the aft pickup fittings of the horizontal stabilizer, and replace 
those fasteners with improved non-life-limited fasteners (including 
measuring the diameter of the bolt shank, reaming holes, inspecting 
to detect cracks using an eddy current technique, and installing new 
bolts having part numbers specified in GALAXY (Israel Aircraft 
Industries, Ltd.) Service Bulletin GALAXY-55-008, dated March 23, 
2000). Perform the actions in accordance with GALAXY (Israel 
Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Service Bulletin GALAXY-55-008, dated 
March 23, 2000.

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 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 
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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 55-00-04-05, dated April 27, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 24, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-27797 Filed 10-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P