53272 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 14, 1997 / Proposed Rules

Standardization Branch, ANM–113.

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, ANM–113.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch,

ANM–113.

(g) 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 October

7, 1997.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–27090 Filed 10–10–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–127–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British

Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4101

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

revise an existing airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to certain

British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model

4101 airplanes, that currently requires

an inspection to determine the thickness

of the intercostal that attaches the third

crew member seat to the floor structure

in the flight compartment, and

replacement, if necessary. That AD was

prompted by a report from the

manufacturer indicating that

intercostals have been installed that are

not of sufficient thickness (and

consequent strength) to support the

third crew member seat during

emergency landing dynamic conditions.

The actions specified by that AD are

intended to prevent the failure of this

intercostal during an emergency

landing, which could consequently

result in injury to the flight crew. This

action would revise the applicability of

the existing AD by removing several

airplanes.

DATES: Comments must be received by

November 10, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

127–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

AI(R) American Support, Inc., 13850

Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia

20171. This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William Schroeder, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM–113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98055–4056; telephone

(425) 227–2148; 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 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 Number 97–NM–127–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–127–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

On May 12, 1997, the FAA issued AD

97–11–02, amendment 39–10031 (62 FR

28795, May 28, 1997), applicable to

certain British Aerospace (Jetstream)

Model 4101 airplanes, to require a onetime inspection to determine the

thickness of the intercostal that attaches

the third crew member seat to the floor

structure in the flight compartment to

determine the thickness of this part, and

replacement with a new intercostal of

the correct thickness, if necessary. That

action was prompted by a report from

the manufacturer indicating that

intercostals have been installed that are

not of sufficient thickness (and

consequent strength) to support the

third crew member seat during

emergency landing dynamic conditions.

The requirements of that AD are

intended to prevent the failure of this

intercostal during an emergency

landing, which could consequently

result in injury to the flight crew.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

Since the issuance of that AD, the

manufacturer has issued Alert Service

Bulletin J41–A53–030, Revision 1, dated

August 8, 1996, and Revision 2, dated

February 14, 1997. The inspection and

replacement procedures described in

these revisions are identical to those

described in the original version of the

service bulletin (which was referenced

in AD 97–11–02). The only change

effected by Revisions 1 and 2 is to

remove airplanes having constructors

numbers 41044, 41068, 41069, and

41070 from the effectivity listing of the

alert service bulletin, since these

airplanes are not subject to the

addressed unsafe condition. The Civil

Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the

airworthiness authority for the United

Kingdom, classified these alert service

bulletins as mandatory.

The FAA has been advised that

Jetstream Aircraft Limited has revised

its corporate name to British Aerospace

Regional Aircraft.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in the United Kingdom and is type

certificated for operation in the United

States under the provisions of § 21.29 of

the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral

airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to

this bilateral airworthiness agreement,

the CAA has kept the FAA informed of

the situation described above. The FAA
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 14, 1997 / Proposed Rules 53273

has examined the findings of the CAA,

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 revise

AD 97–11–02 to continue to require a

one-time inspection of the intercostal of

the third crew member seat to the floor

structure in the flight compartment to

determine the thickness of this part, and

replacement with a new intercostal of

the correct thickness, if necessary. The

proposed AD also would limit the

applicability of the existing AD by

removing several airplanes.

Cost Impact

Since this proposed AD would merely

delete airplanes from the applicability

of the existing AD, it would add no

additional costs, and would require no

additional work to be performed by

affected operators. The current costs

associated with this AD are reiterated in

their entirety (as follows) for the

convenience of affected operators:

The FAA estimates that 14 Jetstream

Model 4101 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 $840, 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 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

removing amendment 39–10031 (62 FR

28795, May 28, 1997), and by adding a

new airworthiness directive (AD), to

read as follows:

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft

[Formerly Jetstream Aircraft Limited;

British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft)

Limited]: Docket 97-NM–127-AD.

Revises AD 97–11–02, Amendment 39–

10031.

Applicability: Jetstream Model 4101

airplanes, as listed in Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41-A53–030, Revision 2, dated

February 14, 1997; certificated in any

category.

Note: 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 (d) 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 failure during emergency

landing dynamic conditions of the intercostal

that attaches the third crew member seat

(‘‘third crew seat’’) to the floor structure in

the flight compartment, which could

consequently result in injury to the flight

crew, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 30 days after July 2, 1997 (the

effective date of AD 97–11–02, amendment

39–10031), inspect the intercostal in the floor

structure that supports the third crew seat in

the flight compartment to determine the

thickness of this part, in accordance with

Part 1 of Jetstream Alert Service Bulletin J41–

A53–030, dated January 19, 1996, Revision 1,

dated August 8, 1996, or Revision 2, dated

February 14, 1997.

(b) If the thickness of the intercostal is

0.064 inch, no further action is required by

this AD.

(c) If the thickness of the intercostal is

0.048 inch, accomplish the actions specified

in either paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD.

(1) Prior to further flight, replace the

intercostal with a new part manufactured

from material having the correct thickness, in

accordance with Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41–A53–030, dated January 19,

1996, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996, or

Revision 2, dated February 14, 1997. After

replacement, no further action is required by

this AD. Or

(2) Prior to further flight, install a placard,

in accordance with Jetstream Alert Service

Bulletin J41–A53–030, dated January 19,

1996, Revision 1, dated August 8, 1996, or

Revision 2, dated February 14, 1997, to

prohibit use of the third crew seat when the

total weight of carry-on items stored in the

forward right stowage area is more than 100

pounds. Within 6 months after installation of

the placard, replace the intercostal with a

new part manufactured from material having

the correct thickness, in accordance with any

of the service bulletins. After installation of

the new intercostal, the placard may be

removed.

(d) 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, ANM–113, 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, ANM–113.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Standardization Branch,

ANM–113.

(e) 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.
53274 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 14, 1997 / Proposed Rules

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October

7, 1997.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–27091 Filed 10–10–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 301

[REG–252936–96]

RIN 1545–AU85

Rewards for Information Relating to

Violations of Internal Revenue Laws

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS),

Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

by cross-reference to temporary

regulations.

SUMMARY: In the Rules and Regulations

section of this issue of the Federal

Register, the IRS is issuing temporary

regulations relating to rewards for

information that relates to violations of

the internal revenue laws. The text of

the temporary regulations also serves as

the text of these proposed regulations.

DATES: Written comments and requests

for a public hearing must be received by

January 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:

CC:DOM:CORP:T:R (REG–252936–96),

room 5228, Internal Revenue Service,

POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station,

Washington, DC 20044. Submissions

may also be hand delivered between the

hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to:

CC:DOM:CORP:T:R (REG–252936–96),

Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue

Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue

N.W., Washington, DC. Alternatively,

taxpayers may submit comments

electronically via the internet by

selecting the ‘‘Tax Regs’’ option on the

IRS Home Page, or by submitting

comments directly to the IRS internet

site at: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/prod/

taxlregs/comments.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Judith A. Lintz (202) 622–4940 (not a

toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Paperwork Reduction Act

The collections of information

contained in this notice of proposed

rulemaking have been submitted to the

Office of Management and Budget for

review in accordance with the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44

U.S.C. 3507(d)). Comments on the

collections of information should be

sent to the Office of Management and

Budget, Attn: Desk Officer for the

Department of the Treasury, Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs,

Washington, DC 20503, with copies to

the Internal Revenue Service, Attn: IRS

Reports Clearance Officer, T:FP,

Washington, DC 20224. Comments on

the collections of information should be

received by December 15, 1997.

Comments are specifically requested

concerning: Whether the proposed

collections of information are necessary

for the proper performance of the

functions of the Internal Revenue

Service, including whether the

information will have practical utility;

the accuracy of the estimated burden

associated with the proposed collections

of information (see below); how the

quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected may be

enhanced; how the burden of complying

with the proposed collections of

information may be minimized,

including through the application of

automated collection techniques or

other forms of information technology;

and estimates of capital or start-up costs

and costs of operation, maintenance,

and purchase of service to provide

information.

The collections of information in this

proposed regulation are in §§ 301.7623–

1T(b)(3), 301.7623–1T(d), and

301.7623–1T(f). The collections of

information are required to provide

information relating to violations of the

internal revenue laws, and to identify

the proper claimant of a reward. The

collection of information is voluntary

with respect to the provision of

information relating to violations of the

internal revenue laws. The collections

of information are required to obtain a

benefit with respect to filing a claim for

reward. The likely respondents are

individuals, although non-individual

claimants are also allowed.

Estimated total annual reporting

burden: 30,000 hours.

Estimated average annual burden

hours per respondent: 3 hours.

Estimated number of respondents:

10,000.

Estimated annual frequency of

responses: on occasion.

An agency may not conduct or

sponsor, and a person is not required to

respond to, a collection of information

unless it displays a valid control

number assigned by the Office of

Management and Budget.

Books or records relating to a

collection of information must be

retained as long as their contents may

become material in the administration

of any internal revenue law. Generally,

tax returns and tax return information

are confidential, as required by 26

U.S.C. 6103.

Background

Temporary regulations in the Rules

and Regulations section of this issue of

the Federal Register amend the

Procedure and Administration

Regulations (26 CFR part 301) relating to

section 7623. The temporary regulations

contain rules relating to rewards for

information that relates to violations of

the internal revenue laws. The text of

those temporary regulations also serves

as the text of these proposed

regulations. The preamble to the

temporary regulations explains the

temporary regulations.

Special Analyses

It has been determined that this notice

of proposed rulemaking is not a

significant regulatory action as defined

in EO 12866. Therefore, a regulatory

assessment is not required. It has also

been determined that section 553(b) of

the Administrative Procedure Act (5

U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these

regulations.

It is hereby certified that the

regulations in this document will not

have a significant economic impact on

a substantial number of small entities.

This certification is based on a

determination that in the past

approximately 10,000 persons have filed

claims for reward on an annual basis. Of

these persons, almost all have been

individuals. Accordingly, a regulatory

flexibility analysis under the Regulatory

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is

not required.

Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the

Internal Revenue Code, this notice of

proposed rulemaking will be submitted

to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the

Small Business Administration for

comments on its impact on small

businesses.

Comments and Requests for a Public

Hearing

Before these proposed regulations are

adopted as final regulations,

consideration will be given to any

written (a signed original and eight (8)

copies) or electronic comments that are

submitted timely to the IRS. All

comments will be available for public

inspection and copying.

A public hearing may be scheduled if

requested in writing by any person who

timely submits written or electronic

comments. If a public hearing is

scheduled, notice of the date, time, and

place for the hearing will be published

in the Federal Register.