Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 1124 and 1124A Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 7, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53058-53060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17600]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22306; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-169-AD; 
Amendment 39-14253; AD 2005-18-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
1124 and 1124A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 1124 and 1124A airplanes. This 
AD requires a one-time inspection for chafing of the electrical bundles 
in the overhead circuit breaker panel, and for adequate clearance 
between the fuselage frame and adjacent structures; and repair and 
rework if necessary. This AD results from reports of fire and smoke 
occurring in the passenger cabin. This AD also requires certain 
preventive actions. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the 
electrical bundles in the overhead circuit breaker panel, which could 
result in a short circuit and consequent fire and smoke in the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 22, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of September 22, 
2005.
    We must receive comments on this AD by November 7, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail 
Station D-25, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, for service information 
identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Israel, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on all Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 1124 
and 1124A airplanes. The CAAI advises that reports have been received 
of fire and smoke in the passenger cabins due to chafing between 
electrical bundles and the adjacent structure in the hinge area of the 
overhead circuit breaker panel. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in a short circuit and consequent fire and smoke in the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Israel Aircraft Industries has issued 1124 Westwind Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) 1124-24A-154, dated March 22, 2004. The ASB describes 
procedures for a one-time visual inspection for chafing of the 
electrical bundles in the overhead circuit breaker panel, and for 
adequate clearance between the fuselage frame and the ``No Smoking--
Fasten Seat Belt'' sign; and repair and rework if necessary. The ASB 
also describes certain preventive actions including installing spiral 
wrap, insulated self-bondable tape, and a Teflon sheet at fuselage 
station 83.78. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The 
CAAI approved the ASB and issued Israeli Airworthiness Directive 24-05-
02-32, dated March 15, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in Israel.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    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. We have examined the CAAI's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the 
electrical bundles in the overhead circuit breaker panel, which could 
result in a short circuit and consequent fire and smoke in the 
airplane. This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the 
service information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between the AD and the Israeli airworthiness directive.''

Clarification of Inspection

    Although the Israeli airworthiness directive and the ASB specify 
performing certain ``inspections,'' this AD specifies performing 
``general visual

[[Page 53059]]

inspections.'' For the purposes of this AD, Note 1 provides the 
definition of ``general visual inspections.''

Difference Between the AD and the Israeli Airworthiness Directive

    Although the Israeli airworthiness directive specifies a compliance 
time of ``within 50 flight hours,'' this AD specifies a compliance time 
of ``within 60 days.'' We have determined that, based on the fleet's 
average utilization rate, a 60-day compliance time is appropriate, in 
that it will allow more time to comply for airplanes with a relatively 
higher utilization rate without compromising safety. We have 
coordinated this difference with the CAAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD; therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment 
before the AD is issued is impracticable, and good cause exists to make 
this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-
22306; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-169-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that might 
suggest a need to modify it.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this AD. Using the search function of that Web 
site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal 
Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit 
http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-18-13 Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.: Amendment 39-14253. 
Docket No. FAA-2005-22306; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-169-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective September 22, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Israel Model 1124 and 1124A 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of fire and smoke occurring in 
the passenger cabin. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of 
the electrical bundles in the overhead circuit breaker panel, which 
could result in a short circuit and consequent fire and smoke in the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection of the Electrical Bundles

    (f) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time general visual inspection for chafing of the electrical 
bundles in the overhead circuit breaker panel and for adequate 
clearance between the fuselage frame and the ``No Smoking--Fasten 
Seat Belt'' sign, and perform the preventive actions, in accordance 
with 1124-Westwind (Israel Aircraft Service Industries) Alert 
Service Bulletin (ASB) 1124-24A-154, dated March 22, 2004.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or

[[Page 53060]]

droplight 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.''

Corrective Actions

    (g) If any chafing of the electrical bundles or inadequate 
clearance is detected during the inspection required by paragraph 
(f) of this AD, before further flight, repair and rework, as 
applicable; in accordance with 1124-Westwind (Israel Aircraft 
Industries) Alert Service Bulletin 1124-24A-154, dated March 22, 
2005.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19.

Related Information

    (i) Israeli airworthiness directive 24-05-02-32, dated March 15, 
2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use 1124-Westwind (Israel Aircraft Industries) 
Alert Service Bulletin 1124-24A-154, dated March 22, 2004, to 
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD 
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, Savannah, Georgia 
31402-2206, for a copy of this service information. You may review 
copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call 
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 24, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17600 Filed 9-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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