39576 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 27, 2000 / Proposed Rules

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.

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Boeing: Docket 2000–NM–146–AD.

Applicability: Model 737–100, –200, –300,

–400, and –500 series airplanes; line numbers

1 through 2707 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 chafing of wire bundles in two

junction boxes in the main wheel well,

which could result in arcing and consequent

fire in the main wheel well or passenger

cabin, or inability to stop the flow of fuel to

an engine or to the auxiliary power unit in

the event of fire, accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) Within 12 months after the effective

date of this AD, perform a detailed visual

inspection of the wire bundles in the

junction boxes formed by electrical

disconnect brackets on the left and right

sides of the main wheel wells to detect

damage or chafing, as specified in Boeing

Service Letter 737–SL–24–111, dated

February 27, 1996.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a

detailed visual inspection is defined as:

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.’’

(1) If no chafing is detected, prior to further

flight, protect the wire bundles from chafing

against the cover plate of the junction box,

in accordance with Method 1, Method 2, or

Method 3, as specified in the service letter.

(2) If any chafing is detected, prior to

further flight, repair the wiring in accordance

with the service letter, and protect the wire

bundles from chafing against the cover plate

of the junction box, in accordance with

Method 1, Method 2, or Method 3, as

specified in the service letter.

Note 3: Boeing Service Letter 737–SL–24–

111 references Boeing Standard

Wiring Practices Manual D6–54446,

Subjects 20–10–13 and 20–00–11, as the

appropriate sources of repair

instructions if any damaged wiring is

found.

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, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),

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, Seattle ACO.

Note 4: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21,

2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–16237 Filed 6–26–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NM–122–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa

Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.

(EMBRAER) Model EMB–120, EMB–

120ER, and EMB–120RT Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain EMBRAER Model EMB–120,

EMB–120ER, and EMB–120RT series

airplanes. This proposal would require

removal of a certain fastener, if

applicable, and sealing of the

corresponding fastener hole. This action

is necessary to prevent contact between

one of the bolts that attaches the direct

current (DC) relay box on the left-hand

side of the airplane and one of the

power terminals of electrical emergency

contactor 2, which could result in a

short circuit in the DC relay box, and

consequent partial loss of the electrical

system, and degraded operation of

airplane systems. This action is

intended to address the identified

unsafe condition.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 27, 2000 / Proposed Rules 39577

DATES: Comments must be received by

July 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NM–

122–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-anmnprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent

via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2000–NM–122–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

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.

(EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343—CEP 12.225,

Sao Jose dos Campos—SP, Brazil. This

information may be examined at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the FAA, Small

Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft

Certification Office, One Crown Center,

1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450,

Atlanta, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Carla Worthey, Program Manager,

Program Management and Systems

Branch, ACE–118A, FAA, Small

Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft

Certification Office, One Crown Center,

1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450,

Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770)

703–6062; fax (770) 703–6097.

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 notice 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 notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 2000–NM–122-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.

2000–NM–122–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Departmento de Aviacao Civil

(DAC), which is the airworthiness

authority for Brazil, notified the FAA

that an unsafe condition may exist on

certain EMBRAER Model EMB–120,

EMB–120ER, and EMB–120RT series

airplanes. The DAC advises that one of

the bolts that attaches the direct current

(DC) relay box on the left-hand side of

the airplane (hereinafter referred to as

the ‘‘LH DC relay box’’) is located close

enough to one of the power terminals of

electrical emergency contactor 2

(K0519) that contact between the bolt

and the contactor may occur. This

condition, if not corrected, could result

in a short circuit in the LH DC relay box,

and consequent partial loss of the

electrical system and degraded

operation of airplane systems.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

EMBRAER has issued Alert Service

Bulletin 120–24–A057, dated November

14, 1996, which describes procedures

for removal of a certain bolt and washer

on the LH DC relay box in the vicinity

of electrical emergency contactor 2

(K0519), if applicable, and sealing of the

corresponding fastener hole. If no bolt

and washer is installed, the alert service

bulletin describes procedures for sealing

of the corresponding fastener hole only.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the alert service bulletin is

intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition. The DAC

classified this alert service bulletin as

mandatory and issued Brazilian

airworthiness directive 96–12–02, dated

December 13, 1996, in order to assure

the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in Brazil.

FAA’s Conclusions

These airplane models are

manufactured in Brazil 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 DAC has

kept the FAA informed of the situation

described above. The FAA has

examined the findings of the DAC,

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 alert service bulletin described

previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 240 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 1 work hour per airplane

to accomplish the proposed actions, and

that the average labor rate is $60 per

work hour. Based on these figures, the

cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $14,400, or

$60 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.

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

39578 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 124 / Tuesday, June 27, 2000 / Proposed Rules

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.

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.

(EMBRAER): Docket 2000–NM–122–AD.

Applicability: Model EMB–120, EMB–

120ER, and EMB–120RT series airplanes;

serial numbers 120004 and 120006 through

120321 inclusive; certificated in any

category; on which EMBRAER Service

Bulletin 120–24–0051, dated March 1, 1994,

Revision 1, dated May 5, 1994, Revision 2,

dated May 31, 1994, Revision 3, dated

November 3, 1994, or Revision 4, dated

March 8, 1995, or the production equivalent,

has been accomplished.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

otherwise 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 contact

between one of the bolts that attaches the

direct current (DC) relay box on the left-hand

(LH) side of the airplane (hereinafter referred

to as the ‘‘LH DC relay box’’) and one of the

power terminals of electrical emergency

contactor 2 (K0519), which could result in a

short circuit in the LH DC relay box, and

consequent partial loss of the electrical

system, and degraded operation of airplane

systems, accomplish the following:

Bolt/Washer Removal and Hole Sealing

(a) Within 75 flight hours after the effective

date of this AD, remove the bolt and washer

on the LH DC relay box that is in the area

of electrical emergency contactor 2 (K0519)

and seal the corresponding fastener hole, in

accordance with EMBRAER Alert Service

Bulletin 120–24–A057, dated November 14,

1996. If no fastener is installed, seal the

corresponding fastener hole only, in

accordance with the alert service bulletin.

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, Atlanta

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA,

Small 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, Atlanta ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

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.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Brazilian airworthiness directive 96–12–

02, dated December 13, 1996.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 21,

2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–16236 Filed 6–26–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NM–132–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Learjet

Model 45 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain Learjet Model 45 series

airplanes. This proposal would require

repetitive application of grease to the

rotating disk assembly of the nose

landing gear squat switch mechanism.

Application of grease to the squat

switch assembly is necessary to prevent

moisture contamination and subsequent

formation of ice. Such ice formation

could result in bending or damaging of

the nose landing gear squat switch

assembly, which could drive the nose

wheel to an uncommanded angle

against the force of the steering system.

This condition, if not corrected, could

result in the airplane departing from the

runway at high speeds during landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 11, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NM–

132–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-anmnprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent

via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2000-NM–132-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

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Learjet Inc., One Learjet Way, Wichita,

Kansas 67209–2942. This information

may be examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at

the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,