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

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 204 (Friday, October 20, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63003-63005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26708]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-10-AD; Amendment 39-11935; AD 2000-21-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra 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 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 (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 certain Israel Aircraft 
Industries, Ltd., Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series 
airplanes was published in the Federal

[[Page 63004]]

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.


Sec. 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 
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.

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

[[Page 63005]]

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.
[FR Doc. 00-26708 Filed 10-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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