[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 89 (Friday, May 7, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25517-25519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10379]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-37-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and 1124A Series 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 all Israel Aircraft Industries, 
Ltd., Model 1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and 1124A series airplanes. 
This proposal would require a one-time inspection to detect cracking 
and other discrepancies of both sides of the rudder skins and ribs, 
forward to aft on each spar, to detect cracks below the skin surface; 
and corrective action if necessary. This action is necessary to detect 
and correct cracking of the skins of the rudder assembly, which could 
result in reduced structural capability of the rudder and reduced 
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-37-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. 2003-NM-37-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 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail 
Station D25, Savannah, Georgia 31402. This information may be examined 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington.

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:

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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2003-NM-37-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. 2003-NM-37-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 all Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and 1124A series airplanes. The CAAI 
advises that

[[Page 25518]]

multiple cracks were discovered in the skins of the rudder assemblies 
outside the area depicted in the Structural Inspection Program. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the rudder and reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Israel Aircraft Industries has issued the following service 
bulletins:

                                               Service Information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Service bulletin--              Revision--            Dated--                    For model--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1121 Commodore Jet (Israel Aircraft                  1  June 23, 2003..............  1121, 1121A, and 1121B
 Industries) Service Bulletin 1121-55-030.                                            series airplanes.
1123--Westwind (Israel Aircraft                      1  June 23, 2003..............  1123 series airplanes.
 Industries) Service Bulletin 1123-55-056.
1124--Westwind (Israel Aircraft                      1  June 23, 2003..............  1124 and 1124A series
 Industries) Service Bulletin 1124-55-150.                                            airplanes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The service bulletins describe procedures for a one-time visual 
inspection of both sides of the rudder skins and ribs, forward to aft 
on each spar, between stations ZR=46.134 and ZR=126.900 on the front 
spar and Z=94.400 to Z=174.100 on the rear spar. The inspection is 
intended to detect loose or distorted rivet heads and cracks in the 
skin around the spar cap flange river holes. The service bulletins also 
describe procedures for a one-time x-ray inspection of the rudder 
assembly ribs between Z=94.400 and Z=174.100 to detect cracks below the 
skin surface. The service bulletins recommend that operators contact 
General Dynamics Aviation Services for information regarding repair of 
cracks and loose rivets. The CAAI classified these service bulletins as 
mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 55-02-12-04R1, 
dated December 10, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in Israel.

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 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 applicable service bulletin described 
previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed AD and Service Information

    Although the service bulletins specify that operators may contact 
General Dynamics Aviation Services for disposition of certain repair 
conditions, this proposed AD would require the repair of those 
conditions to be accomplished in accordance with a method approved by 
either the FAA or the CAAI (or its delegated agent). In light of the 
type of repair that would be required to address the identified unsafe 
condition, and in consonance with existing bilateral airworthiness 
agreements, the FAA has determined that, for this proposed AD, a repair 
approved by either the FAA or the CAAI would be acceptable for 
compliance.
    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the referenced service bulletins may describe 
procedures for submitting a certificate of compliance with the service 
bulletin, this proposed AD would not require those actions. The FAA 
does not need this information from operators.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 300 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$58,500, or $195 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.

[[Page 25519]]

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 2003-NM-37-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and 
1124A series airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To detect and correct cracking of the skins of the rudder 
assembly, which could result in reduced structural capability of the 
rudder and reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Inspections

    (a) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
do detailed and x-ray inspections to detect discrepancies (including 
cracking, loose rivets, and distorted rivet heads) of both sides of 
the rudder skins and ribs, forward to aft on each spar, in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin identified in Table 
1 of this AD. Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include such a requirement.

                 Table 1.--Service Information Reference
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            For--                     Inspect in accordance with--
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Model 1121, 1121A, and 1121B   1121 Commodore Jet (Israel Aircraft
 series airplanes.              Industries) Service Bulletin 1121-55-
                                030, Revision 1, dated June 23, 2003.
Model 1123 series airplanes..  1123--Westwind (Israel Aircraft
                                Industries) Service Bulletin 1123-55-
                                056, Revision 1, dated June 23, 2003.
Model 1124 and 1124A series    1124--Westwind (Israel Aircraft
 airplanes.                     Industries) Service Bulletin 1124-55-
                                150, Revision 1, dated June 23, 2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''

Corrective Action

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD: Before further flight, repair it in 
accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI) (or its 
delegated agent).

Part Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
rudder on any airplane, unless the actions required by this AD have 
been accomplished.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 55-02-12-04R1, dated December 10, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10379 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P