67300 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 24, 1997 / Proposed Rules

For the reasons set forth in the

preamble, 7 CFR Part 985 is proposed to

be amended as follows:

PART 985—MARKETING ORDER

REGULATING THE HANDLING OF

SPEARMINT OIL PRODUCED IN THE

FAR WEST

1. The authority citation for 7 CFR

Part 985 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601–674.

2. A new § 985.217 is added to read

as follows:

Note: This section will not appear in the

Code of Federal Regulations.

§ 985.217 Salable quantities and allotment

percentages—1998–99 marketing year.

The salable quantity and allotment

percentage for each class of spearmint

oil during the marketing year beginning

on June 1, 1998, shall be as follows:

(a) Class 1 (Scotch) oil—a salable

quantity of 1,187,077 pounds and an

allotment percentage of 65 percent.

(b) Class 3 (Native) oil—a salable

quantity of 1,155,217 pounds and an

allotment percentage of 57 percent.

Dated: December 18, 1997.

Robert C. Keeney,

Deputy Administrator, Fruit and Vegetable

Programs.

[FR Doc. 97–33592 Filed 12–23–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–02–P

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

11 CFR Parts 102, 104 and 108

[Notice 1997–21]

Recordkeeping and Reporting

AGENCY: Federal Election Commission.

ACTION: Notice of Public Hearing.

SUMMARY: The Federal Election

Commission is announcing a public

hearing on proposed changes to its

regulations that govern recordkeeping,

reporting, and filing with State officers

under the Federal Election Campaign

Act of 1971, as amended.

DATES: The hearing will be held at 10:00

a.m. on February 11, 1998. Requests to

testify must be received on or before

January 23, 1998. Persons requesting to

testify also must submit written

comments by January 23, 1998, if they

have not previously filed written

comments on the proposed rules.

ADDRESSES: Requests to testify, and any

accompanying comments, should be

addressed to Ms. Susan E. Propper,

Assistant General Counsel, and must be

submitted in either written or electronic

form. Written requests and comments

should be sent to the Commission’s

postal service address: Federal Election

Commission, 999 E Street, NW.,

Washington, DC 20463. Faxed requests

and comments should be sent to (202)

219–3923. Commenters submitting

faxed documents also should submit a

printed copy to the Commission’s postal

service address to ensure legibility.

Requests to testify and comments also

may be sent by electronic mail to

‘‘reprec@fec.gov’’. Persons sending

requests and comments by electronic

mail should include their full name,

electronic mail address and postal

service address within the text of the

request and comments. Commission

hearings are held in the Commission’s

ninth floor meeting room, 999 E Street,

N.W., Washington, D.C.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.

Susan E. Propper, Assistant General

Counsel, or Ms. Teresa A. Hennessy,

Attorney, 999 E Street, N.W., D.C.

20463, (202) 219–3690 or (800)424–

9530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

September 26, 1997, the Commission

published in the Federal Register a

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

[’NPRM’] on multiple amendments to

the requirements for recordkeeping,

reporting, and filing with State officers

at 11 CFR 102.9, 104.3 and part 108. 62

FR 50708. The NPRM announced that a

hearing on the proposed rules would be

held on November 5, 1997 if the

Commission received sufficient requests

to testify.

The comment period on the NPRM

ended on October 27, 1997. The

Commission received comments from

four sources; three of these did not

request to testify at a hearing. A fourth

expressed interest in testifying but was

unable to appear on the scheduled

hearing date. After further considering

this comment, as well as the other

comments received in response to the

NPRM, the Commission believes a

public hearing would be beneficial in

considering the issues raised in the

rulemaking. The hearing will be held at

10:00 a.m. on February 11, 1998.

Dated: December 18, 1997.

John Warren McGarry,

Chairman, Federal Election Commission.

[FR Doc. 97–33561 Filed 12–23–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6715–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95–CE–70–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Socata—

Groupe Aerospatiale Models TB9,

TB10, and TB200 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

adopt a new airworthiness directive

(AD) that would apply to certain

SOCATA—Groupe AEROSPATIALE

(Socata) Models TB9, TB10, and TB200

airplanes. The proposed AD would

require inspecting the main landing gear

(MLG) support ribs for cracks, replacing

MLG support ribs that have cracks

beyond a certain level, and

incorporating a certain MLG support rib

reinforcement kit. The proposed AD is

the result of mandatory continuing

airworthiness information (MCAI)

issued by the airworthiness authority for

France. The actions specified by the

proposed AD are intended to prevent

MLG failure caused by cracks in the

support ribs, which could result in loss

of control of the airplane during landing

operations.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before January 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 95–CE–70–

AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments

may be inspected at this location

between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday

through Friday, holidays excepted.

Service information that applies to the

proposed AD may be obtained from the

SOCATA—Groupe AEROSPATIALE,

Socata Product Support, Aeroport

Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, B P 930, 65009

Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone:

62.41.74.26; facsimile: 62.41.74.32; or

the Product Support Manager,

SOCATA—Groupe AEROSPATIALE,

North Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke

Road, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023;

telephone: (954) 964–6877; facsimile:

(954) 964–1668. This information also

may be examined at the Rules Docket at

the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 24, 1997 / Proposed Rules 67301

Walnut Street, suite 900, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426–

6934; facsimile (816) 426–2169.

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

should 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 that

summarizes 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. 95–CE–70–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, Central Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 95–CE–70–AD, Room 1558,

601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri

64106.

Discussion

The Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation

Civile (DGAC), which is the

airworthiness authority for France,

recently notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on certain Socata

Models TB9, TB10, and TB200

airplanes. The DGAC reports several

incidents of the main landing gear

(MLG) support ribs cracking on the

above-referenced airplanes. These

conditions, if not detected and

corrected, could result in MLG failure

with consequent loss of control of the

airplane during landing operations.

Relevant Service Information

Socata has issued Service Bulletin No.

SB 10–085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996,

which specifies procedures for

inspecting the MLG support ribs for

cracks. Also included in this service

bulletin is reference to certain MLG

support rib reinforcement kits that

should be incorporated on the Socata

Models TB9, TB10, and TB200

airplanes, depending on the inspection

results. The procedures for

incorporating the modification kits are

either in the technical instructions

included with the kit or the

maintenance manual.

The DGAC classified this service

bulletin as mandatory and issued DGAC

AD 94–265(A)R4, dated June 19, 1996,

in order to assure the continued

airworthiness of these airplanes in

France.

The FAA’s Determination

This airplane model is manufactured

in France and is 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, including the service

information referenced above; and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the

Proposed AD

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop in other Socata Models TB9,

TB10, and TB200 airplanes of the same

type design registered in the United

States, the FAA is proposing AD action.

The proposed AD would require

inspecting the MLG support ribs for

cracks, replacing any MLG support ribs

that have cracks beyond a certain level,

and incorporating a certain MLG

support rib reinforcement kit if cracks

beyond a certain level are not found.

Accomplishment of the proposed

inspections would be in accordance

with Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10–

085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996.

Accomplishment of the proposed kit

modifications, as applicable, would be

in accordance with either the technical

instructions included with the kit or the

maintenance manual.

Differences Between the French AD, the

Service Bulletin, and This Proposed AD

French AD 94–265(A)R4, dated June

19, 1996, and Socata Service Bulletin

No. SB 10–085, Amdt. 2, dated April

1996, both give the owners/operators of

certain Models TB10 and TB200

airplanes the option of incorporating a

MLG support rib reinforcement kit or

repetitively inspecting if no cracks are

found in the MLG support ribs during

the initial inspection.

The FAA’s policy is to provide

corrective action that will eliminate the

need for repetitive inspections. The

FAA has determined that long-term

operational safety will be better assured

by design changes that remove the

source of the problem, rather than by

repetitive inspections or other special

procedures.

Because the incorporation of the

applicable MLG support rib

reinforcement kit on the affected

airplanes eliminates the need for

repetitive inspections, the proposed AD

differs from the service bulletin and

French AD in that it would mandate

eventual incorporation of the applicable

MLG support rib reinforcement kit.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 146 airplanes

in the U.S. registry would be affected by

the proposed AD.

Accomplishing the proposed

inspection would take approximately 1

workhour per airplane, at an average

labor rate of approximately $60 an hour.

Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the proposed inspection on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,760,

or $60 per airplane.

The proposed modification would

take approximately 1 workhour to

incorporate the applicable kits on each

wing (total of 2 workhours), at an

average labor rate of $60 per hour. Parts

cost approximately $1,200 per airplane

($300 per kit; 2 kits per wing × 2 wings

per airplane). Based on these figures, the

total cost impact of the proposed

modification on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $192,720 or $1,320 per

airplane.

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.
67302 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 247 / Wednesday, December 24, 1997 / Proposed Rules

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that this action (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) 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 has been placed 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 a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

Socata—Groupe Aerospatiale: Docket No.

95–CE–70–AD.

Applicability: Models TB9, TB10, and

TB200 airplanes, serial numbers 1 through

9999, certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

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 in the

body of this AD, unless already

accomplished.

To prevent main landing gear (MLG)

failure caused by cracks in the support ribs,

which could result in loss of control of the

airplane during landing operations,

accomplish the following:

Note 2: The compliance times of this AD

are presented in landings instead of hours

time-in-service (TIS). If the number of

landings is unknown, hours TIS may be used

by multiplying the number of hours TIS by

0.67.

Note 3: The paragraph structure of this AD

is as follows: Level 1: (a), (b), (c), etc.; Level

2: (1), (2), (3), etc.; Level 3: (i), (ii), (iii), etc.

Level 2 and Level 3 structures are

designations of the Level 1 paragraph they

immediately follow.

(a) For TB9, serial numbers (S/N) 1 through

1442 and 1444 through 1574; and TB10,

S/N 1 through 803; 805; 806; 809 through

815; 820; 821; and 822, airplanes that are not

equipped with either wing rib reinforcement

kit No. OPT10910800 (TB9 and TB10

airplanes) or do not have reinforced ribs

(TB10 airplanes), part number (P/N) TB10

11008001 and P/N TB10 11008002,

accomplish the following:

(1) Upon accumulating 1,500 landings on

the MLG support ribs or within the next 75

landings after the effective date of this AD,

whichever occurs later, inspect the MLG

support ribs for cracks at all four locations

(two per wing) in accordance with the

ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS

section of Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10–

085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996.

(2) If any cracks are found that are out of

the tolerances specified in the maintenance

manual, prior to further flight, replace the

ribs with reinforced ribs, P/N TB10 11008001

and P/N TB10 11008002. Accomplish the

replacement in accordance with the

maintenance manual.

(3) If any cracks are found that are within

the tolerances specified in the maintenance

manual, prior to further flight, incorporate

wing rib reinforcement kit No. OPT10910800

in accordance with the maintenance manual.

(4) If no cracks are found, upon

accumulating 3,000 landings on the MLG

support ribs or within the next 100 landings

after the effective date of this AD, whichever

occurs later, incorporate wing rib

reinforcement kit No. OPT10910800 in

accordance with the maintenance manual.

(b) For Models TB10 and TB200 airplanes,

S/N 804; 807; 808; 816 through 819; 823

through 1701; 1707 through 1733; and 1737

to 1761, accomplish the following:

(1) Upon accumulating 6,000 landings on

the MLG support ribs or within the next 75

landings after the effective date of this AD,

whichever occurs later, inspect the MLG

support ribs for cracks at all four locations

(two per wing) in accordance with the

ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS

section of Socata Service Bulletin No. SB 10–

085, Amdt. 2, dated April 1996.

(2) At the applicable compliance time

presented below, incorporate wing rib

reinforcement kit No. OPT10 920100 in

accordance with the Technical Instruction of

Modification, OPT10 9201–57,

Reinforcement of the Main Landing Gear

Support Ribs, which incorporates the

following pages:

Pages Revision level Date

1 and 2 ............ Amendment 1 April

1996.

3 through 27 .... Original Issue .. November

1995.

(i) Prior to further flight if any cracks are

found.

(ii) Upon accumulating 7,500 landings on

the MLG support ribs or within the next 100

landings after the effective date of this AD,

whichever occurs later, if no cracks are

found.

(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.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Small Airplane

Directorate, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request

shall be forwarded through an appropriate

FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the Manager,

Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 4: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Small Airplane

Directorate.

(e) Questions or technical information

related to the service information referenced

in this AD should be directed to the

SOCATA—Groupe AEROSPATIALE, Socata

Product Support, Aeroport Tarbes-OssunLourdes, B P 930, 65009 Tarbes Cedex,

France; telephone: 62.41.74.26; facsimile:

62.41.74.32; or the Product Support Manager,

SOCATA—Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North

Perry Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road,

Pembroke Pines, Florida 33023; telephone:

(954) 964–6877; facsimile: (954) 964–1668.

This service information may be examined at

the FAA, Central Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th

Street, Kansas City.

Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed

in French AD 94–265(A)R4, dated June 19,

1996.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

December 16, 1997.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–33511 Filed 12–23–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U