63296 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 229 / Friday, November 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules

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–264–AD.

Applicability: All Model F28 Mark 0070

and Mark 0100 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 failure of the captain’s left-hand

brake torque tube lever, which could result

in a disconnection between the captain’s lefthand brake pedal and left-hand brake system,

and consequent reduced directional

controllability of the airplane during landing,

accomplish the following:

(a) Perform a one-time visual inspection

using a mirror or borescope to detect cracking

of the brake torque tube lever having part

number (P/N) D75669–001, in accordance

with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF100–32–

108, dated February 7, 1997, at the time

specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), as

applicable, of this AD. If any crack is

detected, prior to further flight, replace either

the lever or the entire assembly with a new

or serviceable component, in accordance

with the Accomplishment Instructions of the

service bulletin.

(1) For airplanes that have accumulated

15,000 or more total flight cycles as of the

effective date of this AD: Inspect within 30

days after the effective date of this AD.

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated

fewer than 15,000 total flight cycles as of the

effective date of this AD: Inspect prior to the

accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles, or

within 2 months after the effective date of

this AD, whichever occurs later.

(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,

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.

(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 Dutch airworthiness directive 1997–025

(A), dated February 28, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on

November 20, 1997.

Stewart R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–31161 Filed 11–26–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–188–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A300, 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 A300, A310, and A300–

600 series airplanes. For certain

airplanes, this proposal would require

replacing the bearings of the throttle

control levers with new sealed bearings.

For certain other airplanes, this

proposal would require replacing the

throttle control assemblies with new

assemblies. This proposal is prompted

by the issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by

a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

The actions specified by the proposed

AD are intended to prevent asymmetric

engine thrust on the airplane when the

autothrottle is engaged, which could

result in roll and yaw disturbances, and

consequent reduced controllability of

the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by

December 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

188–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:

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4556, 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

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–188-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–188–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 229 / Friday, November 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules 63297

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

A300, A310, and A300–600 series

airplanes. The DGAC advises that it

received reports indicating that the

throttle control levers were difficult to

move. This excessive friction or seizure

of throttle control levers has been

attributed to lack of lubrication and dust

contamination of the bearings. In the

case of airplanes equipped with full

authority digital engine control

(FADEC), this condition can also be

attributed to excessive roller wear.

These conditions could lead to

asymmetric throttle movements and

engine thrust when the autothrottle is

engaged. Such asymmetric movements,

if not corrected, could result in roll and

yaw disturbances, and consequent

reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin

A300–76–0018, dated October 12, 1995,

as revised by Change Notice O.A., dated

February 18, 1997 (for Model A300

series airplanes); and Service Bulletin

A300–76–6010, dated October 12, 1995,

as revised by Change Notice O.A., dated

February 18, 1997 (for Model A300–600

series airplanes); and Service Bulletin

A310–76–2013, dated October 12, 1995,

as revised by Change Notice O.A., dated

February 18, 1997 (for Model A310

series airplanes). These service bulletins

describe procedures for replacement of

the four bearings located on both

throttle control levers with new sealed

bearings. Replacement of these bearings

will ensure a smooth and consistent

operation of both throttles.

Airbus also has issued Service

Bulletin A310–76–2014, Revision 2,

dated January 6, 1997 (for Model A310

series airplanes); and Service Bulletin

A300–76–6011, Revision 2, dated

January 6, 1997 (for Model A300–600

series airplanes). These service bulletins

describe procedures for replacement of

two throttle control assemblies

equipped with rollers with new throttle

control assemblies equipped with

bearings. Accomplishment of the

actions specified in the service bulletins

is intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition.

The DGAC classified these service

bulletins as mandatory and issued

French airworthiness directive (C/N)

96–270–209 (B), dated November 20,

1996, 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 service bulletins described

previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 66 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD.

The FAA estimates that the proposed

replacement of the bearings would be

required to be accomplished on 57

airplanes. It would take approximately

24 work hours per airplane to

accomplish that action, at an average

labor rate of $60 per work hour.

Required parts would be provided by

the manufacturer at no cost to the

operators. Based on these figures, the

cost impact of the replacement of the

bearings proposed by this AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $82,080, or

$1,440 per airplane.

The FAA estimates that the proposed

replacement of the throttle support

assemblies would be required to be

accomplished on 9 airplanes. It would

take approximately 28 work hours per

airplane to accomplish that action, at an

average labor rate of $60 per work hour.

Required parts would cost

approximately $1,138 per airplane.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the replacement of the throttle

support assemblies proposed by this AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$25,362, or $2,818 per airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are 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

‘‘Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,

ANM–103, Attention: Rules Docket No.

97–NM–188–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.’’

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–188–AD.

Applicability: All Model A300, A310, and

A300–600 series airplanes, certificated in any

category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding
63298 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 229 / Friday, November 28, 1997 / Proposed Rules

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 asymmetric engine thrust on

the airplane when the autothrottle is

engaged, which could result in roll and yaw

disturbances, and consequent reduced

controllability of the airplane, accomplish

the following:

(a) Within 18 months or 3,500 flight hours

after the effective date of this AD, whichever

occurs first, accomplish paragraph (a)(1) or

(a)(2) of this AD, as applicable.

(1) For Model A300, A300–600, and A310

series airplanes: Replace the four bearings

located on both throttle control levers with

new sealed bearings, in accordance with

Airbus Service Bulletin A300–76–0018,

dated October 12, 1995, as revised by Airbus

Service Bulletin Change Notice O.A., dated

February 18, 1997 (for Model A300 series

airplanes); Airbus Service Bulletin A300–76–

6010, dated October 12, 1995, as revised by

Airbus Service Bulletin Change Notice O.A,

dated February 18, 1997 (for Model A300–

600 series airplanes); or Airbus Service

Bulletin A310–76–2013, dated October 12,

1995, as revised by Airbus Service Bulletin

Change Notice O.A., dated February 18, 1997;

as applicable.

(2) For Model A310 and A300–600 series

airplanes equipped with full authority digital

engine control (FADEC): Replace the two

throttle support assemblies equipped with

rollers with new throttle support assemblies

equipped with bearings, in accordance with

Airbus Service Bulletin A310–76–2014,

Revision 2, dated January 6, 1997 (for Model

A310 series airplanes); or Airbus Service

Bulletin A300–76–6011, Revision 2, dated

January 6, 1997 (for Model A300–600 series

airplanes); as applicable.

Note 2: Replacements accomplished prior

to the effective date of this AD in accordance

with Airbus Service Bulletin A310–76–2014,

Revision 1, dated March 25, 1996; or Airbus

Service Bulletin A300–76–6011, Revision 1,

dated March 25, 1996; are considered

acceptable for compliance with the

applicable action specified in paragraph

(a)(2) of this AD.

(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,

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 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

(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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed

in French airworthiness directive 96–270–

209 (B), dated November 20, 1996.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on

November 20, 1997.

Stewart R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–31158 Filed 11–26–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

31 CFR Part 103

RIN 1506–AA12

Financial Crimes Enforcement

Network; Bank Secrecy Act

Regulations; Exemptions From the

Requirement to Report Transactions in

Currency—Phase II; Extension of

Comment Period; Request for

Comments

AGENCY: Financial Crimes Enforcement

Network, Treasury.

ACTION: Proposed regulations; extension

of comment period; request for

additional comments.

SUMMARY: The Financial Crimes

Enforcement Network (‘‘FinCEN’’) is

extending the comment period for the

proposed Bank Secrecy Act regulations

relating to exemptions from the

requirement to report transactions in

currency, published on September 8,

1997. FinCEN is also soliciting

comments regarding additional

alternatives to the proposed requirement

to estimate, and to file annual reports of,

the aggregate currency deposits and

withdrawals of certain customers, and

regarding certain other matters.

DATES: Written comments on all aspects

of the proposed rule are welcome and

must be received on or before January

16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should

be submitted to: Office of Legal Counsel,

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network,

Department of the Treasury, 2070 Chain

Bridge Road, Vienna, VA 22182,

Attention: NPRM—CTR Exemptions,

Phase II. Comments may also be

submitted by electronic mail to the

following Internet address:

‘‘regcomments@fincen.treas.gov’’ with

the caption in the body of the text,

‘‘Attention: NPRM—CTR Exemptions,

Phase II.’’ For additional instructions on

the submission of comments, see

Supplementary Information under the

heading ‘‘Submission of Comments’’ in

the notice of proposed rulemaking on

this topic.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peter Djinis, Associate Director (703)

905–3819, and Charles Klingman,

Financial Institutions Policy Specialist,

Office of Program Development FinCEN,

(703) 905–3602; Stephen R. Kroll, Legal

Counsel (703) 905–3534, Cynthia L.

Clark, Acting Senior Counsel for

Regulatory Affairs, (703) 905–3758, and

Albert R. Zarate, Attorney-Advisor,

Office of Legal Counsel, FinCEN, (703)

905–3807.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

September 8, 1997, FinCEN issued

proposed regulations (62 FR 47156) to

reform and simplify the process by

which banks may exempt transactions

of retail and other businesses from the

requirement to report transactions in

currency in excess of $10,000. As part

of the simplified exemption system, the

proposed regulations introduced two

new classes of exempt persons: ‘‘nonlisted businesses’’ and ‘‘payroll

customers.’’ To prevent abuse of the

new system, however, the proposed

regulations would require a bank

initially to estimate and then to report

annually the aggregate currency

deposits and withdrawals of any nonlisted business or payroll customer that

the bank exempted. In the proposal,

FinCEN solicited comments on a

number of matters, including alternative

ways to counter potential abuse of the

proposed system.

FinCEN announced (62 FR 58909,

October 31, 1997) that it would hold an