Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 178 / Monday, September 15, 1997 / Proposed Rules 48189

provided that the information contained in

the general revisions is identical to that

specified in Falcon 2000 AFM Temporary

Change No. 31.

(b) Within 6 months after the effective date

of this AD, replace the center baggage net in

the baggage compartment with a net having

reinforced straps, in accordance with

Dassault Service Bulletin F2000–76 (F2000–

25–2), dated December 21, 996. After this

replacement is accomplished, the AFM

revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD

may be removed from the AFM.

(c) 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,

Standardization Branch, 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, Standardization Branch.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Manager, Standardization

Branch.

(d) 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

September 9, 1997.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–24342 Filed 9–12–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–132–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell

Douglas Model DC–9–10, –20, –30, and

–40, and C–9 (Military) 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 all

McDonnell Douglas Model DC–9–10,

–20, –30, and –40, and C–9 (military)

series airplanes. This proposal would

require modifying the piping of the

potable water system. This proposal is

prompted by reports of ice forming on

the control cables in the wheel well of

the left main landing gear due to the

freezing and rupturing of undrained

potable water pipes. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are

intended to prevent such ice formation,

which could render the slat, aileron,

and spoiler flight controls inoperative,

and consequently could result in

reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by

October 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

132–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

The Boeing Company, Douglas Products

Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard,

Long Beach, California 90846,

Attention: Technical Publications

Business Administration, Department

C1–L51 (2–60). This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue

SW, Renton, Washington; or at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,

3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,

California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Albert Lam, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM–

130L, FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office, 3960 Paramount

Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712;

telephone (562) 627–5346; fax (562)

627–5210.

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.

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 No. 97–NM–132–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–103, Attention: Rules Docket No.

97–NM–132–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue

SW, Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The FAA received numerous reports,

including one from January 1997,

indicating that, during flight, ice formed

on the control cables in the wheel well

of the left main landing gear on

McDonnell Douglas Model DC–9 series

airplanes. The cause of the ice formation

was attributed to the freezing and

rupturing of an undrained potable water

pipe. This condition, if not corrected,

could render the slat, aileron, and

spoiler flight controls inoperative,

which could result in reduced

controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

McDonnell Douglas DC–9 Service

Bulletin 38–27, Revision 1, dated May

16, 1978, which describes procedures

for modifying the piping of the potable

water system. The modification involves

replacing the pipe assemblies of the

pressurized potable water system with a

hose assembly, and installing a metal

shroud over the hose assembly.

Accomplishment of the modification

will divert water leakage into the cargo

compartment drain system.

Explanation of Requirements of

Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other products of this same

type design, the proposed AD would

require modifying the piping of the

potable water system. The actions

would be required to be accomplished

in accordance with the service bulletin

described previously.
48190 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 178 / Monday, September 15, 1997 / Proposed Rules

Cost Impact

There are approximately 570

McDonnell Douglas Model DC–9–10,

–20, –30, and –40, and C–9 (military)

series airplanes of the affected design in

the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates

that 316 airplanes of U.S. registry would

be affected by this proposed AD, that it

would take approximately 20 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

proposed actions, and that the average

labor rate is $60 per work hour.

Required parts would cost

approximately $4,000 per airplane.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $1,643,200, or $5,200

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. However, the FAA

has been advised that 219 U.S.-

registered airplanes are in compliance

in accordance with the requirements of

this AD. Therefore, the future economic

cost impact of this rule on U.S.

operators is now $504,400.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein

would 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

proposal would not have sufficient

federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 97–NM–132–

AD.

Applicability: All Model DC–9–10, –20,

–30, and –40, and C–9 (military) series

airplanes, certificated in any category.

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 ice from forming on the control

cables in the wheel well of the left main

landing gear, which could render the slat,

aileron, and spoiler flight controls

inoperative and, consequently, could result

in reduced controllability of the airplane,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 18 months after the effective

date of this AD, modify the piping of the

potable water system in accordance with

McDonnell Douglas DC–9 Service Bulletin

38–27, Revision 1, dated May 16, 1978.

(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, Los

Angeles 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, Los Angeles ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

(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

September 9, 1997.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–24340 Filed 9–12–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 107, 108, and 139

[Docket Nos. 28979 and 28978]

RIN 2120–AD–46 and 2120–AD–45

Airport and Aircraft Operator Security;

Notice of Public Meetings

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

SUMMARY: This notice announces two

public meetings on the notices of

proposed rulemaking (NPRM), Airport

Security (Parts 107 and 139), and

Aircraft Operator Security (Part 108),

published in the Federal Register on

August 1, 1997, The purpose of these

meetings is to provide an additional

opportunity for the public to comment

on the proposals.

DATES: The public meetings will be held

on October 15, 1997, at 9:00 a.m., in

Washington, DC; and October 22, 1997,

at 9:00 a.m., in Fort Worth, TX.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. on

the day of the meeting at each location.

ADDRESSES: The public meetings will be

held at the following locations:

(1) October 15, 1997, 9:00 a.m., Federal

Aviation Administration, 3rd floor

Auditorium, 800 Independence Ave.,

SW, Washington, DC 20591.

(2) October 22, 1997, 9:00 a.m., Fritz

Lanham Federal Building, room 1A03,

819 Taylor St., Fort Worth, TX 76102.

Persons who are unable to attend the

meetings may mail their comments on

the NPRMs in triplicate to: Federal

Aviation Administration, Office of the

Chief Counsel, Rules Docket (AGC–200),

Docket Nos. 28979 (Parts 107 and 139),

28978 (Part 108), 800 Independence

Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591.

Written comments to the docket will

receive the same consideration as

statements made at the public meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests to present a statement at the

public meetings on the Airport Security

(Parts 107 and 139) and Aircraft

Operator Security (Part 108) NPRMs and

questions regarding the logistics of the