[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45577-45579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21489]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-261-AD; Amendment 39-12418; AD 2001-17-27]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
Astra SPX and 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 Astra 
SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. This action requires one-
time detailed visual and eddy current inspections for cracking of the 
drag brace on the nose landing gear, and replacement of the drag brace, 
if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the nose 
landing gear. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective September 13, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 13, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-261-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-261-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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; 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 Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series 
airplanes. The CAAI advises that fatigue cracking has been found on 
drag braces with part numbers 25W272003-501 through 25W272003-507 
inclusive installed on the nose landing gear. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in failure of the nose landing gear.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Israel Aircraft Industries has issued Astra Alert Service Bulletin 
1125-32A-095, dated December 4, 2000. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for one-time detailed visual and eddy current inspections 
for cracking of the upper radius of the drag brace on the nose landing 
gear, and replacement of the drag brace, if necessary. The area to be 
inspected is the fillet between the trunnion axis and the body of the 
drag brace. 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 32-00-12-14, dated July 1, 2001, 
in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
Israel.
    The Israeli airworthiness directive notes that the drag brace on 
the nose landing gear is subject to repetitive detailed visual and eddy 
current inspections per Chapters 5 and 32 of the Astra Maintenance 
Manual, including Temporary Revision 32-7, dated November 28, 2000, or 
a later revision. Such inspections are intended to ensure that any 
cracking is detected in a timely manner.

FAA's Determination

    Investigation of a nose landing gear overhaul facility has led to 
the conclusion that a procedural and

[[Page 45578]]

inspection fault could result due to previous installation of a drag 
brace that could be cracked. To ensure that such drag braces were not 
installed, we are requiring an inspection of the drag brace within 25 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished 
within the last 250 flight hours before the effective date of this AD.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in Israel and are 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 failure of the 
nose landing gear. This AD requires accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin described previously, except as 
discussed below.

Difference Between This AD, the Service Bulletin, and the Foreign 
AD

    While the effectivity statement of the service bulletin includes 
only Model 1125 Astra series airplanes with serial numbers 004 through 
039 inclusive, the foreign airworthiness directive states that any 
Model 1125 Astra and Astra SPX series airplane with a serial number 
higher than 039 on which the nose landing gear or the drag brace of the 
nose landing gear has been replaced must be checked to determine 
whether it is subject to this AD. Based on this recommendation in the 
foreign airworthiness directive and our examination of the findings of 
the CAAI, this AD requires inspection of all Model Astra SPX and 1125 
Westwind Astra series airplanes with a drag brace having part numbers 
25W272003-501 through 25W272003-507 inclusive installed on the nose 
landing gear.

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 2001-NM-261-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:

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:

2001-17-27  Israel Aircraft Industries, LTD.: Amendment 39-12418. 
Docket 2001-NM-261-AD.

    Applicability: Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series 
airplanes with a drag brace having part numbers 25W272003-501 
through 25W272003-507 inclusive installed on the nose landing gear, 
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 (c) of 
this AD.

[[Page 45579]]

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 failure of the nose landing gear, accomplish the 
following:

One-Time Inspections

    (a) Within 25 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
unless accomplished within the last 250 flight hours before the 
effective date of this AD: Perform one-time detailed visual and eddy 
current inspections for cracking of the drag brace on the nose 
landing gear, according to Astra (Israel Aircraft Industries) Alert 
Service Bulletin 1125-32A-095, dated December 4, 2000.

    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.''


    Note 3: The drag brace on the nose landing gear is subject to 
repetitive detailed visual and eddy current inspections per Chapters 
5 and 32 of the Astra Maintenance Manual, including Temporary 
Revision 32-7, dated November 28, 2000.

Replacement

    (b) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, replace the drag 
brace with a new, improved drag brace, according to Astra (Israel 
Aircraft Industries) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-095, dated 
December 4, 2000.

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 Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 4: 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Astra (Israel 
Aircraft Industries) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-095, dated 
December 4, 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 32-00-12-14, dated July 1, 2001.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 13, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21489 Filed 8-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U