Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-256-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model

Astra SPX 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 certain Israel Aircraft Industries

Model Astra SPX series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-

time inspection to measure the countersink angle of the bolt holes in

the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer, and corrective

actions, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of

mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil

airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are

intended to prevent cracks in the lower scissors fitting and fitting

attachment bolts of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result in

possible in-flight loss of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent

reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-256-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)

227-2110; 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 notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

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 notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 99-NM-256-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. 99-NM-256-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 certain Israel Aircraft Industries Model Astra

SPX series airplanes. The CAAI advises that the six attachment bolt

holes drilled in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal

stabilizer may be countersunk to 90 degrees instead of the specified

100 degrees. Incorrect countersinking of the attachment bolt holes can

degrade the structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer

attachment. This condition, if not corrected, could result in cracks in

the lower scissors fitting and fitting attachment bolts of the

horizontal stabilizer, possible in-flight loss of the horizontal

stabilizer, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Israel Aircraft Industries has issued Astra Alert Service Bulletin

1125-55A-192, Revision 1, dated June 1, 1999, which describes

procedures for a one-time detailed visual inspection to measure the

countersink angle of the bolt holes in the lower scissors fitting of

the horizontal stabilizer, and corrective actions, if necessary.

Corrective actions include detailed visual inspection of the fitting

attachment bolts to detect concave bolt heads, rework of the bolt

holes, and replacement of the existing bolts with new bolts.

Accomplishment of the actions specified in the alert service bulletin

is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The

CAAI classified this alert service bulletin as mandatory and issued

Israeli airworthiness directive 55-99-04-02R2, dated August 4, 1999, in

order to assure 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 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 alert service bulletin described

previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Alert Service Bulletin and This Proposed AD

Operators should note that, although Astra Alert Service Bulletin

1125-55A-192, Revision 1, lists the effectivity of the alert service

bulletin as Model ASTRA SPX series airplanes having serial numbers 085

through 102 and 105 through 112, Israeli airworthiness directive 55-99-

04-02R2 states that it

[[Page 68960]]

applies to airplanes having serial numbers 085 through 112 inclusive.

The applicability specified in this proposed AD reflects the

applicability specified in the Israeli airworthiness directive.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 19 airplanes of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 20 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection to measure the

countersink angle of the bolt holes, and that the average labor rate is

$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the

proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $22,800, or $1,200 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.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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.

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 99-NM-256-AD.

Applicability: Model Astra SPX series airplanes, serial numbers

085 through 112 inclusive, 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 (b) of

this AD. 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 cracks in the lower scissors fitting and fitting

attachment bolts of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result in

possible in-flight loss of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent

reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Inspections and Corrective Actions

(a) Within 30 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,

perform a detailed visual inspection of the bolt holes in the lower

scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer to measure the

countersink angle, in accordance with Astra Alert Service Bulletin

1125-55A-192, Revision 1, dated June 1, 1999.

(1) If the measured angle of countersink is within the limits

specified in the alert service bulletin, no further action is

required by this AD.

(2) If the measured countersink angle is outside the limits

specified in the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight,

perform a detailed visual inspection of the fitting attachment bolts

in the lower scissors fitting of the horizontal stabilizer to detect

concave bolt heads, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(i) If no bolt head is found to be concave, repeat the

inspection required by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD thereafter at

intervals not to exceed 50 flight hours; and, within 250 flight

hours after the initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of this

AD, rework all bolt holes and replace the existing bolts with new

bolts in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the

alert service bulletin. Such rework constitutes terminating action

for the repetitive inspections required by this paragraph.

(ii) If any bolt head is found to be concave, prior to further

flight, rework all bolt holes and replace the existing bolts with

new bolts, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the

alert service bulletin.

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.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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, International Branch, ANM-116, 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, International

Branch, ANM-116.

Note 3: 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

(c) 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.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli

airworthiness directive 55-99-04-02R2, dated August 4, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 3, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-31875 Filed 12-8-99; 8:45 am]

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