00-26708. Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of the position of the aileron autopilot servo and attachment arm; follow-on actions; and corrective actions, if necessary; and installation of a stopper angle on the servo bracket. This action is necessary to prevent the control link of the aileron autopilot servo from being driven overcenter, which could result in roll oscillations when the autopilot is engaged. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective November 24, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of November 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

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 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:

Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

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, Ltd., Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2000 (65 FR 40551). That action proposed to require require a one-time inspection of the position of the aileron autopilot servo and attachment arm; follow-on actions; and corrective actions, if necessary; and installation of a stopper angle on the servo bracket.

Comments

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.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 38 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,360, or $220 per airplane.

The 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 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 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.

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2000-21-03 Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-11935. Docket 2000-NM-10-AD.

Applicability: Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes; certificated in any category; serial numbers 030, and 042 through 086 inclusive.

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 the control link of the aileron autopilot servo from being driven overcenter, which could result in roll oscillations when the autopilot is engaged, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Actions

(a) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time general visual inspection of the aileron autopilot servo and attaching linkage to determine whether the attachment arm on the servo is in the correct position, in accordance with Astra (Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd.) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-27A-157, dated September 14, 1999.

(1) If the attachment arm is in the correct position, prior to further flight, install a stopper angle on the servo bracket in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(2) If the attachment arm is in the incorrect position, prior to further flight, perform a general visual inspection to detect damage of the bellcrank arm, control link, and attachment arm, in accordance with the alert service bulletin. Prior to further flight after accomplishment of all applicable corrective actions specified by this paragraph, install a stopper angle on the servo bracket in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(i) If no damage is detected, prior to further flight, reposition the attachment arm in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(ii) If any damage is detected and the damage is within the limits specified by the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair the damaged part in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(iii) If any damage is detected and the damage exceeds the limits specified by the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, replace the damaged part with a new part in accordance with the alert service bulletin.

Note 2:

For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”

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 §§ 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

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Astra (Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd.) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-27A-157, dated September 14, 1999. 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.

Effective Date

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 24, 2000.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.