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

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 103 (Friday, May 26, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34054-34055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12813]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-360-AD; Amendment 39-11743; AD 2000-10-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
1125 Westwind Astra and Astra SPX Series 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 Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 1125 
Westwind Astra and Astra SPX series airplanes, that requires 
replacement of the existing pneumatic de-icing boot pressure indicator 
switch with a newly designed switch. This amendment is prompted by an 
occurrence on a similar airplane model in which the pneumatic de-icing 
boot indication light may have provided the flightcrew with misleading 
information as to the proper functioning of the de-icing boots. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent ice accumulation 
on the airplane leading edges, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective June 30, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 30, 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 (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

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 all Israel Aircraft Industries, 
Ltd., Model 1125 Westwind Astra and Astra SPX series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2000 (65 FR 3617). 
That action proposed to require replacement of the existing pneumatic 
de-icing boot pressure indicator switch with a newly designed switch.
    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.

Changes to the Proposed AD

    Since issuance of the proposed AD, the manufacturer has issued 
Astra Alert Service Bulletin 1125-30A-199, dated April 17, 2000, which 
describes procedures for replacement of the wing and tail de-icing boot 
pressure indicator switches with improved switches. The Civil Aviation 
Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Israel, classified this service bulletin as mandatory. 
Additionally, the CAAI previously issued Israeli airworthiness 
directive 30-00-02-05, dated February 24, 2000, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Israel.
    The FAA has determined that the replacement described in the 
service bulletin provides an adequate method of addressing the unsafe 
condition identified in this AD. Paragraph (a) of the AD has been 
revised to include that replacement as an acceptable means of 
compliance to the requirements of the AD. The applicability of the AD 
has also been revised to exclude airplanes having serial number 116 and 
up, on which the replacement will be installed in production.
    The FAA has also revised the ``Cost Impact'' section of the AD to 
provide the estimated cost of the replacement in accordance with the 
previously described service bulletin, and to revise the number of 
affected airplanes of U.S. registry.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that 
these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 89 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD.
    Should an operator elect to accomplish the replacement in 
accordance with Astra Alert Service Bulletin 1125-30A-199, it will take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish it, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts may cost as much as 
$1,455 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be as much as $1,575 per 
airplane.

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:


[[Page 34055]]


    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:

2000-10-19  Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-11743. 
Docket 99-NM-360-AD.

    Applicability: Model 1125 Westwind Astra and Astra SPX series 
airplanes, serial numbers 004 through 115 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 ice accumulation on the airplane leading edges, which 
could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the pneumatic de-icing boot pressure indicator switch with a switch 
that activates the flight deck indicator light at 15 pounds per 
square inch gage, in accordance with Astra Alert Service Bulletin 
1125-30A-199, dated April 17, 2000, or in accordance with a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate.

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. 
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 2: 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Except as provided by paragraph (a) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Astra Alert Service Bulletin 1125-
30A-199, dated April 17, 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 30-00-02-05, dated February 24, 2000.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 30, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12813 Filed 5-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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