Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Model 1125 Westwind Astra Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-39-AD; Amendment 39-9041; AD 94-20-12]

Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Model

1125 Westwind Astra Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain IAI Model 1125 Westwind Astra airplanes, that

requires relocation of the ground cable in the slat power drive unit.

This amendment is prompted by a report that the drive system for the

leading edge slat stopped in transit during flight on a Model 1125

Westwind Astra airplane. This incident was caused by an improper ground

connection for the electric motor of the slat drive system, which

resulted in arcing and an open electrical circuit. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to prevent possible fuel vapor fire

due to electrical arcing in an area where fuel vapors might be present

and the inability to move the slats during flight due to an open

electrical circuit.

DATES: Effective November 14, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of November 14, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Astra Jet Corporation, Technical Publications, 77

McCullough Drive, Suite 11, New Castle, Delaware 19720-9813. This

information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)

227-2141; fax (206) 227-1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Israel Aircraft Industries

(IAI) Model 1125 Westwind Astra airplanes was published in the Federal

Register on May 5, 1994 (59 FR 23174). That action proposed to require

relocation of the ground cable in the slat power drive unit.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require

the adoption of the rule as proposed.

The FAA estimates that 52 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor

rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $53

per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be $11,336, or $218 per airplane.

The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on

assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the

requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is

not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new

airworthiness directive:

94-20-12 Israel Aircraft Industries Limited: Amendment 39-9041.

Docket 94-NM-39-AD.

Applicability: Model 1125 Westwind Astra airplanes; serial

numbers 004 through 066 inclusive, and 068; certificated in any

category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent possible fuel vapor fire due to electrical arcing in

an area where fuel vapors might be present and the inability to move

the slats during flight due to an open electrical circuit,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 50 hours time-in-service after the effective date of

this AD, relocate the ground cable in the slat power drive unit in

accordance with Astra Jet Service Bulletin SB 1125-27-110, Revision

1, dated February 16, 1994.

(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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,

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,

Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Secs. 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.

(d) The relocation shall be done in accordance with Astra Jet

Service Bulletin SB 1125-27-110, Revision 1, dated February 16,

1994, which contains the following list of effective pages:

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Revision

Page number level shown Date shown on

on page page

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1-3, 5................................... 1.......... February 16,

1994.

4........................................ Original... January 19,

1994.

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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 Astra Jet Corporation,

Technical Publications, 77 McCullough Drive, Suite 11, New Castle,

Delaware 19720-9813. 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 14, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-24452 Filed 10-12-94; 8:45 am]

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