[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 108 (Friday, June 6, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24060-24062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10318]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0915; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00255-T;
Amendment 39-23050; AD 2025-11-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd.
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. Model 1124 and 1124A airplanes. This AD
was prompted by the need to ensure proper thrust reverser system status
and function and to minimize the possibility of thrust reverser
operation in flight or before landing. This AD requires revising the
limitations and normal procedures sections of the existing airplane
flight manual (AFM). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 23, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 23,
2025.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 21, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0915; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For Israel Aircraft Industries material identified in this
AD, contact Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Ben Gurion International
Airport 70100, Israel; telephone 972-3-9353090; email
iai.co.il">Aviation_Group@iai.co.il; website iai.co.il.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0915.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexis Whitaker, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (516) 228-7309; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments using a method
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0915;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00255-T'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
final rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Alexis
Whitaker, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7309; email:
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which
is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public
docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), which is the
aviation authority for Israel, has issued CAAI AD ISR I-78-2025-03-01,
dated March 4, 2025 (referred to as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition on all Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. Model 1124 and 1124A
airplanes. The MCAI states that action is necessary to ensure proper
thrust reverser system status and function while airborne and to
prohibit deployment before landing. Accordingly, the MCAI requires
revising the AFM to incorporate temporary thrust reverser limitations
and procedures.
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent deployment of a thrust
reverser in flight or before landing. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in loss of control of the airplane. You may
examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No.
FAA-2025-0915.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. 1124-Westwind
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Revision (TR) No. 8 and Israel
Aircraft Industries Ltd. 1124A-Westwind AFM TR No. 9, both dated March
13, 2024.
[[Page 24061]]
This material provides revised thrust reverser operating limitations
and revised normal procedures for the thrust reversers during taxi,
take-off, and before landing. These documents are distinct since they
apply to different airplane models. This material is reasonably
available because the interested parties have access to it through
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the
ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and material referenced above. The FAA is issuing
this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires revising the limitations and normal procedures
sections of the existing AFM.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the revised operating limitations and procedures will minimize
the possibility of thrust reverser operation in flight or before
landing, which if not addressed could result in loss of control of the
airplane. Additionally, the actions required by this AD must be
accomplished before further flight. Accordingly, notice and opportunity
for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public
interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and
comment, RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 76 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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AFM revision.......................... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $6,460
hour = $85.
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-11-04 Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-23050;
Docket No. FAA-2025-0915; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00255-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 23, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
[[Page 24062]]
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. Model
1124 and 1124A airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Engine
Exhaust.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by the need to ensure proper thrust
reverser system status and function and to minimize the possibility
of thrust reverser operation in flight or before landing. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent deployment of a thrust reverser in flight
or before landing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revision of Existing Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,
revise the Limitations and Normal Procedures sections of the
existing AFM to include the information specified in pages I-9, IV-
18, IV-21, and IV-25 in Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. 1124-
Westwind AFM Temporary Revision (TR) No. 8, dated March 13, 2024, or
Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. 1124A-Westwind AFM TR No. 9, dated
March 13, 2024, as applicable to your model airplane. Using a
different document with information identical to the information in
the TR pages is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of
this paragraph.
(h) Special Flight Permits
Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and
21.199, are prohibited.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to:
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel
(CAAI); or the CAAI's authorized Designee. If approved by the CAAI
Designee, the approval must include the Designee's authorized
signature.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Alexis Whitaker,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7309; email: [email protected].
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. 1124-Westwind Airplane
Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary Revision (TR) No. 8, dated March 13,
2024.
(ii) Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. 1124A-Westwind AFM TR No.
9, dated March 13, 2024.
(3) For Israel Aircraft Industries material identified in this
AD, contact Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Ben Gurion
International Airport 70100, Israel; telephone 972-3-9353090; email
iai.co.il">Aviation_Group@iai.co.il; website iai.co.il.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on June 2, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-10318 Filed 6-5-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P