44404 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 162 / Thursday, August 21, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

projects. When farm inventory property

is larger than a family-size farm, the

county official will subdivide the

property into one or more tracts to be

sold in accordance with §1955.107 of

this subpart. Division of the land or

separate sales of portions of the

property, such as timber, growing crops,

inventory for small business enterprises,

buildings, facilities, and similar items

may be permitted if a better total price

for the property can be obtained in this

manner. Environmental effects should

also be considered pursuant to subpart

G of part 1940 of this chapter. Any

applicable State laws will be set forth in

a State supplement and will be

complied with in connection with the

division of land. Subdivision of

acquired property will be reported on

Form RD 1955–3C, ‘‘Acquired

Property—Subdivision,’’ in accordance

with the FMI.

(b) Grouping of individual properties.

The county official for FCP cases, and

the State Director for all other cases,

may authorize the combining of two or

more individual properties into a single

parcel for sale as a suitable program

property.

24. Section 1955.148 is revised to read

as follows:

§1955.148 Auction sales.

This section provides guidance on the

sale of all inventory property by

auction, except FSA real property.

Before an auction, the State Director,

with the advice of the National Office

for organizational property, will

determine and document the minimum

sale price acceptable. In determining a

minimum sale price, the State Director

will consider the length of time the

property has been in inventory,

previous marketing efforts, the type

property involved, and potential

purchasers. Program financing will be

offered on sales of program and

property. For NP property, credit may

be offered to facilitate the sale. Credit,

however, may not exceed the market

value of the property nor may the term

exceed the period for which the

property will serve as adequate security.

For program property sales, no

preference will be given to program

purchasers. The State Director will also

consider whether an Agency employee

will conduct an auction or whether the

services of a professional auctioneer are

necessary due to the complexity of the

sale.

When the services of a professional

auctioneer are advisable, the services

will be procured by contract in

accordance with RD Instruction 2024-A

(available in any Agency Office). Chattel

property may be sold at public auction

that is widely advertised and held on a

regularly scheduled basis without

solicitation. Form RD 1955–46 will be

used for auction sales. At the auction,

successful bidders will be required to

make a bid deposit. For program and

suitable property, the bid deposit will

be the same as outlined in

§1955.130(e)(1) of this subpart. For NP

property sales, a bid deposit of 10

percent is required. Deposits will be in

the form of cashier’s check, certified

check, postal or bank money order or

bank draft payable to the Agency, cash

or personal checks may be accepted

when deemed necessary for a successful

auction by the person conducting the

auction. Where credit sales are

authorized, all notices and publicity

should provide for a method of prior

approval of credit and the credit limit

for potential purchasers. This may

include submission of letters of credit or

financial statements prior to the auction.

The auctioneer should not accept a bid

which requests credit in excess of the

market value. When the highest bid is

lower than the minimum amount

acceptable to the Agency, negotiations

should be conducted with the highest

bidder or in turn, the next highest

bidder or other persons to obtain an

executed bid at the predetermined

minimum. Upon purchaser’s default,

the approval official will remit the bid

deposit as a Miscellaneous Collection

according to RD Instruction 1951–B

(available in any agency office). The bid

deposit will be remitted only when the

bidder defaults; otherwise it will be

used at closing towards a down

payment or closing costs, as applicable.

The closing will be conducted in

accordance with the procedures

prescribed in this subpart for the type

property and program involved.

Dated: June 30, 1997.

James W. Schroeder,

Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign

Agricultural Services.

Dated: July 8, 1997.

Jill Long Thompson,

Under Secretary for Rural Development.

[FR Doc. 97–22004 Filed 8–20–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–05–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–CE–73–AD; Amendment 39–

10111; AD 97–17–08]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Raytheon

Aircraft Company Model 1900D

Airplanes (Formerly Known as Beech

Aircraft Corporation Model 1900D

Airplanes)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to Raytheon Aircraft

Company (Raytheon) Model 1900D

airplanes (formerly known as Beech

Aircraft Corporation Model 1900D

airplanes) that have not had the

propeller removed and re-installed since

factory installation. This action requires

inspecting the propeller mounting bolts

for the proper torque and replacing or

re-torquing any propeller bolt with the

wrong torque level. The manufacturer

discovered some under-torqued

propeller mounting bolts during factory

installation of the propeller. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to

prevent fatigue cracking and failure of

the propeller mounting bolts, which if

not detected and corrected, could result

in loss of the propeller.

DATES: Effective September 24, 1997.

Comments for inclusion in the rules

docket must be received on or before

October 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket 97–CE–73–AD,

Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106.

Service information that applies to

this AD may be obtained from Raytheon

Aircraft Company, 9709 E. Central, P.O.

Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201–0085.

This information may also be examined

at the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Central Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket 97–CE–73–AD, Room

1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Randy Griffith, Aerospace Engineer,

Wichita Aircraft Certification Office,

Room 100, 1801 Airport Rd., Wichita,

Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946–

4145; facsimile (316) 946–4407.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 162 / Thursday, August 21, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 44405

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA has received three reports

from operators and has recently been

notified by Raytheon Aircraft Company

(Raytheon) (formerly known as Beech

Aircraft Corporation) that certain

Raytheon Model 1900D airplane

propellers were inadvertently installed

with under-torqued propeller mounting

bolts at factory installation. The bolts

were not being torqued to the end

torque requirement of 100 to 105 ft-lbs.

These bolts have a three stage, wet

torque requirement ending at a value of

100 to 105 ft-lbs. Originally it was

believed that the bolts were being

torqued to at least 80 ft-lbs (the second

stage of the torque procedure), but three

cases of bolts with less than 60 ft-lbs

have been reported. The manufacturer

of the propeller and Raytheon notified

the owners/operators of the affected

Model 1900D airplanes (serial numbers

(S/N) UE–176 through UE–280, UE–282

and UE–284) by ‘‘urgent action’’ letter.

If the propeller bolts are not torqued to

the right level, fatigue cracking could

result.

Relevant Service Information

Raytheon has issued an urgent action

Letter No. 52–0092, dated July 22, 1997,

which references the propeller bolt

torque problem and the recommended

action to fix the torque levels.

The FAA’s Determination

After examining the circumstances

and reviewing all available information

related to the incidents described above,

including the relevant service

information, the FAA has determined

that AD action should be taken to

prevent fatigue cracking and failure of

the propeller mounting bolts, which if

not detected and corrected, could result

in loss of the propeller.

Explanation of the Provisions of the AD

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop in certain Raytheon Model

1900D airplanes of the same type design

that have not had the propeller removed

and re-installed, this AD requires

inspecting the propeller mounting bolts

for correct torque level, and re-torquing

or replacing the bolts as necessary.

Determination of the Effective Date of

the AD

Since a situation exists that requires

the immediate adoption of this

regulation, it is found that notice and

opportunity for public prior comment

hereon are impracticable, and that good

cause exists for making this amendment

effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule that involves requirements

affecting immediate flight safety and,

thus, was not preceded by notice and

opportunity to comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or

arguments as they may desire.

Communications should 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

will be considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that

supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the 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 that

summarizes each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this AD

will be filed in the rules docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must

submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket No. 97–CE–73–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

not have substantial direct effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612,

it is determined that this final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and is not a significant regulatory action

under Executive Order 12866. It has

been determined further that this action

involves an emergency regulation under

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it

is determined that this emergency

regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared

and placed in the rules docket

(otherwise, an evaluation is not

required). A copy of it, if filed, may be

obtained from the rules docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

97–17–08. Raytheon Aircraft Company:

Amendment 39–10111; Docket No. 97–

CE–73–AD.

Applicability: Model 1900D airplanes

(serial numbers UE–176 through UE–280,

UE–282 and UE–284) certificated in any

category, that have not had the propeller

removed and re-installed since factory

installation, or have not had the attaching

bolts re-torqued.

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 (c) 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 within the next 50

hours time-in-service (TIS), unless already

accomplished (accomplished according to

Raytheon Aircraft Company Letter No. 52–

0092, dated July 22, 1997).

To prevent fatigue cracking and failure of

the propeller mounting bolts, which if not

detected and corrected, could result in loss

of the propeller, accomplish the following:
44406 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 162 / Thursday, August 21, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

(a) Accomplish the following if the

airplane records indicate that the propeller

has not been removed and re-installed since

the factory installation.

(1) Remove spinner dome, cowling, and

hardware as required to access propeller

attachment bolts.

(2) Reposition the beta system, using beta

positioning tool, and remove the safety wire

from the propeller mounting bolts (part

number (P/N) B3347).

(3) Check the torque level of the P/N B3347

propeller bolts.

(i) If the torque is less than 60 ft-lbs, prior

to further flight, replace the bolts with

another FAA-approved propeller bolt using

the installation procedures and torque

sequence detailed in the Model 1900D

Maintenance Manual (61–10–00) (A/Steps 1,

2, and B/Step 3).

(ii) If torque is 60 ft-lbs or greater, torque

the bolts to a value of 100–105 ft-lbs using

the torque sequence detailed in the Model

1900D Maintenance Manual (61–10–00) (B/

Step 3).

(4) Re-safety wire the propeller bolts and

remove the beta system positioning tool.

(5) Re-install the hardware, the spinner,

and the cowlings.

(b) 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.

(c) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft

Certification Office, Room 100, 1801 Airport

Rd., Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request shall

be forwarded through an appropriate FAA

Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the Manager,

Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from Wichita Aircraft Certification

Office.

(d) Information related to this AD may be

inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office

of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558,

601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri

64106.

(e) This amendment (39–10111) becomes

effective on September 24, 1997.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August

14, 1997.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–22146 Filed 8–20–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–CE–71–AD; Amendment 39–

10103; AD 97–16–10]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; RAPCO, Inc.

Filter, Part Numbers RA–1J4–4, RA–

1J4–6, and RA–1J4–7 From Lot

Numbers 05597, 07797, and 12597

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This document publishes in

the Federal Register an amendment

adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD)

97–16–10, which was sent previously to

owners of airplanes known to have

RAPCO, Inc. (RAPCO) in-line pressure

filters installed. This AD requires

removing RAPCO filters with part

numbers (P/N) RA–1J4–4, RA–1J4–6,

and RA–1J4–7 that are from Lot

Numbers 05597, 07797, and 12597.

Recent operator reports and the

manufacturer’s report of several cracked

filter housings on these RAPCO, Inc. inline pressure filters prompted this AD.

The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent failure of the flight

instruments during flight because of a

failed in-line pressure filter, which

could cause loss of control of the

airplane.

DATES: Effective September 18, 1997, to

all persons except those to whom it was

made immediately effective by priority

letter AD 97–16–10, issued July 31,

1997, which contained the requirements

of this amendment.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

October 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket 97–CE–71–AD,

Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy

Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, Chicago

Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 E.

Devon, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018,

telephone (847) 294–7564; facsimile

(847) 294–7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On July 31, 1997, the FAA issued

priority letter AD 97–16–10, which

applies to certain RAPCO in-line

pressure filters that may be installed on,

but not limited to, the following

airplanes:

Manufacturer Model

Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna).310R and T310R.

Raytheon Aircraft

Company

(Raytheon) (formerly known as

Beech Aircraft Corporation).

E33A, F33A, V35A,

V35B, 36, A36, 58,

65–B80, 70, 95–

B55, D55, E55.

The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper).PA–31–300, PA–31–

325, PA–31P, PA–

31P–350, PA–31T,

PA–34–200T.

This priority letter AD results from

recent operator reports and the

manufacturer’s report of several cracked

filter housings on RAPCO, Inc. in-line

pressure filters produced from lot

numbers 05597, 07797, and 12597 with

part numbers (P/N) RA–1J4–4, RA–1J4–

6, and RA–1J4–7. This product is an inline pressure filter used on single and

twin-engine airplanes with pressuredriven primary and standby flight

instruments (attitude gyros). The filters

are designed to remove the carbon

particles between the vacuum pump

outlet and the instrument pressure inlet.

Failure of this filter results in failure of

the flight instruments, which could

cause loss of control of the airplane.

Further investigation has revealed

that some of the plastic filter housings

have cracked during flight when

exposed to high temperatures and low

humidity conditions. The failure is

occurring anytime between 2 and 6

hours time-in-service (TIS). The

manufacturer discovered that the

vendor of the plastic made a

manufacturing change, moving the sonic

weld machine and the housings into a

high humidity area. Apparently, the

sonic weld time was doubled due to a

higher moisture content in the plastic.

This condition leads to brittle plastic

filter housings that crack when exposed

to low humidity/high temperature

ambient conditions.

This condition, if not corrected, could

result in failure of the operators’ flight

instruments during flight.

The FAA’s Determination and

Explanation of the AD

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop in airplanes that have RAPCO

in-line pressure filters marked with part

numbers RA–1J4–4, RA–1J4–6, or RA–

1J4–7 from Lot Numbers 05597, 07797,

or 12597 installed, the FAA issued

priority letter AD 97–16–10 on July 31,

1997, to prevent failure of the flight