Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 1997 / Proposed Rules 60049

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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 97–NM–240–AD.

Applicability: All Model A300 and A300–

600 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 (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 as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To detect and correct cracking of the lugs

of hinge brackets of inner airbrakes (spoilers)

No. 1 and No. 2 of both wings, which could

result in detachment of the spoilers and

consequent reduced controllability of the

airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Perform a high frequency eddy current

(HFEC) inspection for cracking of the lugs of

the center hinge brackets of spoilers No. 1

and No. 2, in accordance with Airbus Service

Bulletin A300–57–0229 (for Model A300

series airplanes) or A300–57–6074 (for Model

A300–600 series airplanes), both dated

October 16, 1996, as applicable. Accomplish

the inspection at the time specified in

paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3), as

applicable, of this AD. If any discrepancy is

found, prior to further flight, perform the

follow-on actions specified in the

Accomplishment Instructions of the

applicable service bulletin. Repeat the HFEC

inspection thereafter at intervals not to

exceed 8,200 flight cycles.

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated

less than 23,200 total flight cycles as of the

effective date of this AD: Inspect prior to the

accumulation of 16,000 total flight cycles, or

within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective

date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated

23,200 total flight cycles or more, but less

than 36,500 total flight cycles as of the

effective date of this AD: Inspect within 500

flight cycles after the effective date of this

AD.

(3) For airplanes that have accumulated

36,500 total flight cycles or more as of the

effective date of this AD: Inspect within 50

flight cycles after the effective date of this

AD.

(b) Airbus Service Bulletins A300–57–6074

and A300–57–0229, both dated October 16,

1996, specify that the actions required by

paragraph (a) of this AD may be

accomplished in accordance with a method

‘‘left to the operator’s discretion.’’ [Operators

may use a discretionary method only if that

method has been approved as an alternative

method of compliance in accordance with

paragraph (c) of this AD.] Therefore, this AD

requires that the replacement of a bracket as

required by paragraph (a) be accomplished in

accordance with the procedures specified in

Repair Drawing R57240205 (for a center

hinge bracket) and/or R57240208 (for an

inner or outer hinge bracket), as applicable.

(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, 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.

(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.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in French airworthiness directive 97–080–

211(B)R1, dated May 21, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October

30, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–29342 Filed 11–5–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–205–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A310 and A300–600 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

Airbus Model A310 and A300–600

series airplanes. This proposal would

require a one-time visual inspection to

determine the accuracy of the outer

placards of the static ports. This

proposal also would require a one-time

inspection to detect crossed connections

of the air data static system and the

static probe heating system, and

correction of any discrepancies. 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 prevent erroneous display

of altitude information to the flight

crew, and consequent reduced

operational safety during all phases of

flight.

DATES: Comments must be received by

December 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

205–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

Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.

This information may be examined at

the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Manager, International Branch, ANM–

116, FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056;

telephone (425) 227–2110; 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
60050 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 1997 / Proposed Rules

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–205–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–205–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation

Civile (DGAC), which is the

airworthiness authority for France,

notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on all Airbus Model

A310 and A300–600 series airplanes.

The DGAC advises that, during a routine

inspection, one operator found that the

tubings of the air data static system

connected to the captain and first

officer’s static probes were inverted (i.e.,

cross-connected) on both the left-hand

and right-hand side of the aircraft. The

heating circuit wires of the static probe

heating system to the captain and first

officer’s static probes on the left-hand

side of the airplane were also found to

be inverted. The cross connections of

the air data tubings and probe heat

wiring apparently resulted from an

inappropriate installation process on the

assembly line. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in erroneous

display of altitude information to the

flight crew, and consequent reduced

operational safety during all phases of

flight.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Airbus has issued All Operators Telex

(AOT) 34–04, dated July 16, 1996,

which describes procedures to perform

a one-time visual inspection to

determine the accuracy of the outer

placards. The AOT also describes

procedures to perform a one-time visual

inspection to detect crossed connections

of the air data static system and the

static probe heating system, and

correction of any discrepancies.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the AOT are intended to

adequately address the identified unsafe

condition. The DGAC classified this

AOT as mandatory and issued French

airworthiness directive 97–098–216 (B),

dated March 26, 1997, in order to assure

the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in France.

FAA’s Conclusions

These airplane models are

manufactured in France 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 DGAC has

kept the FAA informed of the situation

described above. The FAA has

examined the findings of the DGAC,

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 AOT described previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 94 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 5 work hours 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

$28,200, or $300 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:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 97–NM–205–AD.

Applicability: All Model A310 and A300–

600 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 (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 erroneous display of altitude

information to the flight crew, and

consequent reduced operational safety during

all phases of flight, accomplish the following:
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 1997 / Proposed Rules 60051

(a) Within 600 flight hours after the

effective date of this AD, perform a one-time

visual inspection of the outer placards of the

static ports to determine that the

identification of the static port corresponds

with the specified position on the aircraft, in

accordance with Airbus All Operators Telex

(AOT) 34–04, dated July 16, 1996.

(b) Within 600 flight hours after the

effective date of this AD, perform a one-time

visual inspection of the pneumatic

connections of the captain, first officer, and

standby air data static systems to detect

cross-connected tubing, and conduct an

operational check of each of the static probe

heating systems to detect cross-connected

wiring, in accordance with Airbus All

Operators Telex (AOT) 34–04, dated July 16,

1996.

(c) If any discrepancy is found, prior to

further flight, correct the discrepancy in

accordance with Airbus AOT 34–04, dated

July 16, 1996.

(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,

International Branch, ANM–116, 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, International Branch,

ANM–116.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

(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.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in French airworthiness directive 97–098–

216 (B), dated March 26, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October

30, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–29341 Filed 11–5–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97–AEA–42]

Proposed Amendment to Class E

Airspace; Allentown, PA

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to

amend the Class E airspace area at

Allentown,, PA. The development of a

new Standard Instrument Approach

Procedure (SIAP) based on the Global

Positioning System (GPS) at Allentown

Queen City Airport has made this

proposal necessary. Additional

controlled airspace extending upward

from 700 feet Above Ground Level

(AGL) is needed to accommodate the

SIAP and for Instrument Flight Rules

(IFR) operations at the airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before December 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the

proposal in triplicate to: Manager,

Airspace Branch, AEA–520, Docket No.

97–AEA–42, F.A.A. Eastern Region,

Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy

Int’l Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430.

The official docket may be examined

in the Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, AEA–7, F.A.A. Eastern Region,

Federal Building #111, John F. Kennedy

International Airport, Jamaica, New

York 11430.

An informal docket may also be

examined during normal business hours

in the Airspace Branch, AEA–520,

F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal Building

#111, John F. Kennedy International

Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Francis T. Jordan, Jr., Airspace

Specialist, Airspace Branch, AEA–520

F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal Building

#111, John F. Kennedy International

Airport, Jamaica, New York 11430;

telephone (718) 553–4521.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to

participate in this proposed rulemaking

by submitting such written data, views,

or arguments as they may desire.

Comments that provide the factual basis

supporting the views and suggestions

presented are particiulary helpful in

developing reasoned regulatory

decisions on the proposal. Comments

are specifically invited on the overall

regulatory, economic, environmental,

and energy-related aspects of the

proposal. Communications should

identify the airspace docket number and

be submitted in triplicate to the address

listed above. Commenters wishing the

FAA to acknowledge receipt of their

comments on this notice must submit

with those comments a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the

following statement is made:

‘‘Comments to Airspace Docket No. 97–

AEA–42.’’ The postcard will be date/

time stamped and returned to the

commenter. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments will be considered before

taking action on the proposed rule. The

proposal contained in this notice may

be changed in light of comments

received. All comments submitted will

be available for examination in the

Rules Docket both before and after the

closing date for comments. A report

summarizing each substantive public

contact with the FAA personnel

concerned with this rulemaking will be

filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

by submitting a request to the Office of

the Assistant Chief Counsel, AEA–7,

F.A.A. Eastern Region, Federal Building

#111, John F. Kennedy International

Airport, Jamaica, NY 11430.

Communications must identify the

notice number of this NPRM. Persons

interested in being placed on a mailing

list for future NPRMs should also

request a copy of Advisory Circular No.

11–2A, which describes the application

procedure.

The Proposal

The FAA is considering an

amendment to 14 CFR Part 71 to amend

the Class E airspace area at Allentown,

PA. A GPS RWY 7 SIAP has been

developed for the Allentown Queen City

Airport. Additional controlled airspace

extending upward from 700 feet AGL is

needed to accommodate the SIAP and

for IFR operations at the airport. Class

E airspace designations for airspace

areas extending upward from 700 feet or

more above the surface are published in

Paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9E,

dated September 10, 1997, and effective

September 16, 1997, which is

incorporated by reference in 14 CFR

71.1. The Class E airspace designation

listed in this document would be

published subsequently in the Order.

The FAA has determined that this

proposed regulation only involves an

established body of technical

regulations for which frequent and

routine amendments are necessary to

keep them operationally current.

Therefore, this proposed regulation—(1)

is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’

under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not

a ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)

does not warrant preparation of a

regulatory evaluation as the anticipated

impact is so minimal. Since this is a

routine matter that would only affect air

traffic procedures and air navigation, it

is certified that this proposed rule

would not have significant economic

impact on a substantial number of small