[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 23 (Friday, February 2, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8754-8756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-2829]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-14-AD; Amendment 39-12102; AD 2001-03-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
Galaxy 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 all Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Galaxy 
airplanes. This action requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual to 
advise of the proper operation of the main entry door. This action is 
necessary to prevent the main entry door from jamming, which could 
impede the safe evacuation of passengers and crew during an emergency. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 20, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-14-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. 2001-NM-14-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.
    Information pertaining to this AD may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2141; 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 all Israel Aircraft 
Industries, Ltd., Model Galaxy airplanes. The CAAI advises that, 
following a landing and complete stop of a Model Galaxy airplane, an 
attempt to open the main entry door failed when the door jammed 
partially open because the door handle had been improperly operated, 
i.e., the handle was not rotated all the way up in one continuous 
motion. The door sprung out about 18 inches, remained in the vertical 
position, and dropped about 6 inches, making it nearly impossible to 
open or close the door from inside the airplane. The door was finally 
opened with assistance from outside the airplane. Improper operation of 
the main entry door could cause the door to jam and impede the safe 
evacuation of passengers and crew during an emergency.

Foreign Airworthiness Directive

    The CAAI issued Israeli emergency airworthiness directive 52-00-12-
15, dated January 2, 2001, 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 
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 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 the main entry 
door from jamming, which could impede the safe evacuation of passengers 
and crew during an emergency. This AD requires a revision of the FAA-
approved airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise of the proper operation 
of the main entry door.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing 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 this AD and the Israeli Airworthiness Directive

    The CAAI mandates the installation of placards to advise of the 
proper operation of the main entry door. However, this AD does not 
require this action. The FAA has been advised that

[[Page 8755]]

the placards have been installed on all airplanes in the worldwide 
fleet, and that the placards are installed on airplanes during 
production.
    Whereas the CAAI mandates that a copy of its airworthiness 
directive be carried in the airplane, this AD requires that the Normal 
and Emergency Procedures sections of the AFM be revised.

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 2001-NM-14-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, 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:

2001-03-01  Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-12102. 
Docket 2001-NM-14-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Galaxy airplanes, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the main entry door from jamming, which could impede 
the safe evacuation of passengers and crew during an emergency, 
accomplish the following:

Revisions of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

    (a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the the FAA-approved AFM to include the following statements under 
Section II, Emergency Procedures, Passenger Evacuation, item 5., 
``Main entrance door/emergency exit--OPEN.'' This may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

``If the main entrance door is jammed in a partially opened state, 
the door may be opened by pushing it out with a force of 
approximately 88 lbs. This will bend the aircraft sill and skin, 
allowing the door to open in an emergency.''

    (b) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the AFM to include the following statements under Section IV, Normal 
Procedures, Exterior Inspection, Passenger Compartment, item 4.c., 
``Passenger briefing--COMPLETE, Emergency procedures.'' This may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
    ``When opening the main entrance door from inside the aircraft, 
the operating handle must be rotated all the way up in one 
continuous motion, as shown on the placard. If the handle is left at 
an intermediate position, it may cause the door to slip down and jam 
in a vertical, unlocked position, preventing egress. The handle is 
also jammed in the process. The door may be released by exerting a 
high upwards force on the operating handle or by assistance from 
outside the airplane.
    If the main entrance door is jammed in a partially opened state, 
the door may be opened by pushing it out with a force of 
approximately 88 lbs. This will bend the aircraft sill and skin, 
allowing the door to open in an emergency.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 1: 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

    (d) 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.


[[Page 8756]]


    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in emergency Israeli 
airworthiness directive 52-00-12-15, dated January 2, 2001.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 20, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 29, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-2829 Filed 2-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U