01-21489. Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. This action requires one-time detailed visual and eddy current inspections for cracking of the drag brace on the nose landing gear, and replacement of the drag brace, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the nose landing gear. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective September 13, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 13, 2001.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before September 28, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-261-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 [phone]. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: [e-mail]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain “Docket No. 2001-NM-261-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 for Windows or ASCII text.

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 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.

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 [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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, Ltd., Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. The CAAI advises that fatigue cracking has been found on drag braces with part numbers 25W272003-501 through 25W272003-507 inclusive installed on the nose landing gear. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the nose landing gear.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Israel Aircraft Industries has issued Astra Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-095, dated December 4, 2000. The service bulletin describes procedures for one-time detailed visual and eddy current inspections for cracking of the upper radius of the drag brace on the nose landing gear, and replacement of the drag brace, if necessary. The area to be inspected is the fillet between the trunnion axis and the body of the drag brace. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The CAAI classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 32-00-12-14, dated July 1, 2001, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Israel.

The Israeli airworthiness directive notes that the drag brace on the nose landing gear is subject to repetitive detailed visual and eddy current inspections per Chapters 5 and 32 of the Astra Maintenance Manual, including Temporary Revision 32-7, dated November 28, 2000, or a later revision. Such inspections are intended to ensure that any cracking is detected in a timely manner.

FAA's Determination

Investigation of a nose landing gear overhaul facility has led to the conclusion that a procedural and inspection fault could result due to previous installation of a drag brace that could be cracked. To ensure that such drag braces were not installed, we are requiring an inspection of the drag brace within 25 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the last 250 flight hours before the effective date of this AD.

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 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, this AD is being issued to prevent failure of the nose landing gear. This AD requires accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.

Difference Between This AD, the Service Bulletin, and the Foreign AD

While the effectivity statement of the service bulletin includes only Model 1125 Astra series airplanes with serial numbers 004 through 039 inclusive, the foreign airworthiness directive states that any Model 1125 Astra and Astra SPX series airplane with a serial number higher than 039 on which the nose landing gear or the drag brace of the nose landing gear has been replaced must be checked to determine whether it is subject to this AD. Based on this recommendation in the foreign airworthiness directive and our examination of the findings of the CAAI, this AD requires inspection of all Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes with a drag brace having part numbers 25W272003-501 through 25W272003-507 inclusive installed on the nose landing gear.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

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 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 rule that might suggest a need to modify the 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 that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: “Comments to Docket Number 2001-NM-261-AD.” The postcard will be date-stamped and returned to the commenter.

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.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and that it is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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:

2001-17-27 Israel Aircraft Industries, LTD.: Amendment 39-12418. Docket 2001-NM-261-AD.

Applicability: Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes with a drag brace having part numbers 25W272003-501 through 25W272003-507 inclusive installed on the nose landing gear, 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 (c) 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 failure of the nose landing gear, accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspections

(a) Within 25 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the last 250 flight hours before the effective date of this AD: Perform one-time detailed visual and eddy current inspections for cracking of the drag brace on the nose landing gear, according to Astra (Israel Aircraft Industries) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-095, dated December 4, 2000.

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.”

Note 3:

The drag brace on the nose landing gear is subject to repetitive detailed visual and eddy current inspections per Chapters 5 and 32 of the Astra Maintenance Manual, including Temporary Revision 32-7, dated November 28, 2000.

Replacement

(b) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, replace the drag brace with a new, improved drag brace, according to Astra (Israel Aircraft Industries) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-095, dated December 4, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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 4:

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

(d) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Astra (Israel Aircraft Industries) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-095, dated December 4, 2000. 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.

Note 5:

The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli airworthiness directive 32-00-12-14, dated July 1, 2001.

Effective Date

(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 13, 2001.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2001.

Vi L. Lipski,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.