[Federal Register: May 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 89)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 25517-25519]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07my04-17]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-37-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model
1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and 1124A Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Israel Aircraft Industries,
Ltd., Model 1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and 1124A series airplanes.
This proposal would require a one-time inspection to detect cracking
and other discrepancies of both sides of the rudder skins and ribs,
forward to aft on each spar, to detect cracks below the skin surface;
and corrective action if necessary. This action is necessary to detect
and correct cracking of the skins of the rudder assembly, which could
result in reduced structural capability of the rudder and reduced
controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 7, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-37-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 (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2003-NM-37-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 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail
Station D25, Savannah, Georgia 31402. This information may be examined
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington.
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 (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
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 proposed
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 proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2003-NM-37-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2003-NM-37-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the
airworthiness authority for Israel, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on all Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model
1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and 1124A series airplanes. The CAAI
advises that
[[Page 25518]]
multiple cracks were discovered in the skins of the rudder assemblies
outside the area depicted in the Structural Inspection Program. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced structural
integrity of the rudder and reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Israel Aircraft Industries has issued the following service
bulletins:
Service Information
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Service bulletin-- Revision-- Dated-- For model--
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1121 Commodore Jet (Israel Aircraft 1 June 23, 2003.............. 1121, 1121A, and 1121B
Industries) Service Bulletin 1121-55-030. series airplanes.
1123--Westwind (Israel Aircraft 1 June 23, 2003.............. 1123 series airplanes.
Industries) Service Bulletin 1123-55-056.
1124--Westwind (Israel Aircraft 1 June 23, 2003.............. 1124 and 1124A series
Industries) Service Bulletin 1124-55-150. airplanes.
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The service bulletins describe procedures for a one-time visual
inspection of both sides of the rudder skins and ribs, forward to aft
on each spar, between stations ZR=46.134 and ZR=126.900 on the front
spar and Z=94.400 to Z=174.100 on the rear spar. The inspection is
intended to detect loose or distorted rivet heads and cracks in the
skin around the spar cap flange river holes. The service bulletins also
describe procedures for a one-time x-ray inspection of the rudder
assembly ribs between Z=94.400 and Z=174.100 to detect cracks below the
skin surface. The service bulletins recommend that operators contact
General Dynamics Aviation Services for information regarding repair of
cracks and loose rivets. The CAAI classified these service bulletins as
mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 55-02-12-04R1,
dated December 10, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Israel.
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 Proposed 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, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the applicable service bulletin described
previously, except as discussed below.
Differences Between Proposed AD and Service Information
Although the service bulletins specify that operators may contact
General Dynamics Aviation Services for disposition of certain repair
conditions, this proposed AD would require the repair of those
conditions to be accomplished in accordance with a method approved by
either the FAA or the CAAI (or its delegated agent). In light of the
type of repair that would be required to address the identified unsafe
condition, and in consonance with existing bilateral airworthiness
agreements, the FAA has determined that, for this proposed AD, a repair
approved by either the FAA or the CAAI would be acceptable for
compliance.
Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of the referenced service bulletins may describe
procedures for submitting a certificate of compliance with the service
bulletin, this proposed AD would not require those actions. The FAA
does not need this information from operators.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action until final action is
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 300 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$58,500, or $195 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
[[Page 25519]]
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd: Docket 2003-NM-37-AD.
Applicability: All Model 1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and
1124A series airplanes; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To detect and correct cracking of the skins of the rudder
assembly, which could result in reduced structural capability of the
rudder and reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Inspections
(a) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
do detailed and x-ray inspections to detect discrepancies (including
cracking, loose rivets, and distorted rivet heads) of both sides of
the rudder skins and ribs, forward to aft on each spar, in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin identified in Table
1 of this AD. Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include such a requirement.
Table 1.--Service Information Reference
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For-- Inspect in accordance with--
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Model 1121, 1121A, and 1121B 1121 Commodore Jet (Israel Aircraft
series airplanes. Industries) Service Bulletin 1121-55-
030, Revision 1, dated June 23, 2003.
Model 1123 series airplanes.. 1123--Westwind (Israel Aircraft
Industries) Service Bulletin 1123-55-
056, Revision 1, dated June 23, 2003.
Model 1124 and 1124A series 1124--Westwind (Israel Aircraft
airplanes. Industries) Service Bulletin 1124-55-
150, Revision 1, dated June 23, 2003.
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Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''
Corrective Action
(b) If any discrepancy is found during any inspection required
by paragraph (a) of this AD: Before further flight, repair it in
accordance with a method approved by either the Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate;
or the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI) (or its
delegated agent).
Part Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
rudder on any airplane, unless the actions required by this AD have
been accomplished.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli
airworthiness directive 55-02-12-04R1, dated December 10, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10379 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
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