53976 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 201 / Friday, October 17, 1997 / Proposed Rules

systems,’’ and ‘‘safety-related systems’’

are synonymous.

(ii) Changes to protection systems

include modification, augmentation or

replacement of protection systems

permitted by license amendments,

changes made to protection systems by

licensees pursuant to 10 CFR 50.59, and

plant specific departures from a design

certification rule under 10 CFR part 52.

(3) Protection systems. For nuclear

power plants with construction permits

issued after January 1, 1971, but prior to

January 1, 1998, protection systems

must meet the requirements set forth in

either the Institute of Electrical and

Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Std. 279,

‘‘Criteria for Protection Systems for

Nuclear Power Generating Stations,’’ or

in IEEE Std. 603–1991, ‘‘Criteria for

Safety Systems for Nuclear Power

Generating Stations,’’ and the correction

sheet dated January 30, 1995. However,

changes to protection systems initiated

on or after January 1, 1998 must meet

the requirements set forth in IEEE Std.

603–1991, and the correction sheet

dated January 30, 1995.

(4) Safety systems. For construction

permits, operating licenses, final design

approvals, design certifications and

combined licenses issued on or after

January 1, 1998, safety systems must

meet the requirements set forth in IEEE

Std. 603–1991, and the correction sheet,

dated January 30, 1995.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 9th day

of October, 1997.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

John C. Hoyle,

Secretary of the Commission.

[FR Doc. 97–27419 Filed 10–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–245–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker

Model F28 Mark 0070 and Mark 0100

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 Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070

and Mark 0100 series airplanes. This

proposal would require replacement of

the operating handles of the overwing

emergency exits with improved handles

that have self-illumination. This

proposal is prompted by issuance of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information by a foreign civil

airworthiness authority. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are

intended to ensure that the operating

handles of the overwing emergency

exits are clearly visible during an

emergency evacuation.

DATES: Comments must be received by

November 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

245–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

Fokker Service B.V., Technical Support

Department, P.O. Box 75047, 1117 ZN

Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands. This

information may be examined at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM–113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98055–4056; telephone

(425) 227–2141; 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–245–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–245–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Rijksluchtvaartdienst (RLD),

which is the airworthiness authority for

the Netherlands, notified the FAA that

an unsafe condition may exist on certain

Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and Mark

0100 series airplanes. The RLD advises

that the operating handles of the

overwing emergency exits installed on

Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070 and Mark

0100 series airplanes equipped with the

new ‘‘Jetline’’ interior do not meet the

illumination requirements of section

25.811(e) of the Federal Aviation

Regulations [14 CFR 25.811(e)]. Section

25.811(e) requires the handles to be

either conspicuously located and well

illuminated, or self-illuminated with an

initial brightness of at least 160

microlamberts. The operating handles of

the overwing emergency exits installed

on these airplanes do not have adequate

illumination, and, therefore, the handles

may not be clearly visible in emergency

conditions. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in reduced

ability to evacuate the airplane during

an emergency.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Fokker has issued Service Bulletin

SBF100–52–060, dated October 10,

1995, which describes procedures for

replacement of the operating handles of

the overwing emergency exits with

improved operating handles that have

self-illumination. Accomplishment of

the actions specified in the service

bulletin is intended to adequately

address the identified unsafe condition.

The RLD classified this service bulletin

as mandatory and issued Netherlands

airworthiness directive BLA 1995–

104(A), dated October 31, 1995, in order

to assure the continued airworthiness of

these airplanes in the Netherlands.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 201 / Friday, October 17, 1997 / Proposed Rules 53977

FAA’s Conclusions

These airplane models are

manufactured in the Netherlands 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 RLD has

kept the FAA informed of the situation

described above. The FAA has

examined the findings of the RLD,

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 service bulletin described

previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 127 Fokker

Model F28 Mark 0100 series airplanes

and 4 Fokker Model F28 Mark 0070

series 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 $60 per work hour. Required parts

would be provided by the manufacturer

at no cost to operators. Based on these

figures, the cost impact of the proposed

AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$23,580, or $180 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

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Fokker: Docket 97-NM–245-AD.

Applicability: Model F28 Mark 0070 and

Mark 0100 series airplanes, as listed in

Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100–52–060,

dated October 10, 1995; 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 ensure that the operating handles of the

overwing emergency exits are clearly visible

during an emergency evacuation, accomplish

the following:

(a) Within 12 months after the effective

date of this AD, remove the operating handle

assemblies of the overwing emergency exits,

having part number (P/N) D32965–403, and

install new self-illuminating handle

assemblies, having P/N D32965–407, in

accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin

SBF100–52–060, dated October 10, 1995.

(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,

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.

(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 Netherlands airworthiness directive BLA

1995–104 (A), dated October 31, 1995.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October

10, 1997.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–27580 Filed 10–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–SW–01–AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson

Helicopter Company Model R44

Helicopters

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

Robinson Helicopter Company

(Robinson) Model R44 helicopters. This

proposal would require removing and

replacing the cyclic control pilot’s grip

assembly (grip assembly) with an

airworthy grip assembly. This proposal

is prompted by a report of a crack in the

welded corner of a grip assembly. The

actions specified by the proposed AD

are intended to prevent use of a grip

assembly that may crack, resulting in

failure of the grip assembly and

subsequent loss of control of the

helicopter.