8156 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 36 / Monday, February 24, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

PART 792—REQUESTS FOR

INFORMATION UNDER THE FREEDOM

OF INFORMATION ACT AND PRIVACY

ACT, AND BY SUBPOENA; SECURITY

PROCEDURES FOR CLASSIFIED

INFORMATION

3. The authority citation for part 792

is revised to read as follows:

Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1766, 12 U.S.C. 1789,

12 U.S.C. 1795f; 5 U.S.C. 552, 5 U.S.C. 552b;

Executive Orders 12600 and 12356.

4. Amend § 792.2 by revising

paragraph (f) to read as follows:

§ 792.2 Information made available to the

public and requests for such information.

* * * * *

(f) Information Centers. The Central

Office, Regional Offices and the Asset

Management and Assistance Center are

the designated Information Centers for

the NCUA. The Freedom of Information

Officer of the Office of General Counsel

is responsible for the operation of the

Information Center maintained at the

Central Office. The Regional Directors

are responsible for the operation of the

Information Centers in their Regional

Offices. The President of the Asset

Management and Assistance Center is

responsible for the operation of the

Information Center maintained there.

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 97–4441 Filed 2–21–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7535–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96–NM–38–AD; Amendment

39–9941; AD 97–04–16]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Fokker

Model F27 Series Airplanes Equipped

With Walter Kidde Nose Wheel

Steering System

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Fokker Model F27

series airplanes, that requires increasing

the torque value of the bolt that

connects the gearbox housing assembly

of the steering unit to the pivot bracket

of the nose landing gear (NLG). This

amendment also requires that periodic

inspections of that torque value be

incorporated into the FAA-approved

maintenance program. This amendment

is prompted by several reports that the

dowel pins in the Walter Kidde nose

wheel steering system were found

broken and/or had elongated holes due

to a reduced torque value of the subject

bolt. The actions specified by this AD

are intended to prevent such a reduction

in the torque value, which could result

in failure of the dowel pins in the

Walter Kidde nose wheel steering

system; this situation could result in

reduced controllability of the airplane

or the collapse of the NLG during

landing.

DATES: Effective March 31, 1997.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of March 31,

1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information

referenced in this AD may be obtained

from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199

North Fairfax Street, Alexandria,

Virginia 22314. This information may be

examined at the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ruth Harder, Aerospace Engineer,

Standardization Branch, ANM–113,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98055–4056; telephone

(206) 227–1721; fax (206) 227–1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A

proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to

include an airworthiness directive (AD)

that is applicable to certain Fokker

Model F27 series airplanes was

published in the Federal Register on

July 29, 1996 (61 FR 39366). That action

proposed to require increasing the

torque value of the bolt that connects

the gearbox housing assembly of the

steering unit to the pivot bracket of the

nose landing gear (NLG).

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. Due

consideration has been given to the

comments received.

Support for the Proposal

One commenter supports the

proposed rule.

Request to Withdraw Proposal

One commenter, a U.S. operator,

requests that the proposal be withdrawn

because it is unnecessary. The

commenter points out that the proposed

requirements previously were issued by

Fokker both as a service bulletin and a

maintenance circular several years ago.

This commenter has already added the

inspections to its maintenance program,

far in advance of any requirement by AD

to do so. The commenter contends that

mandating the actions via an AD will

‘‘only add an administrative burden on

an industry already overburdened with

administrative tasks, many of which are

redundant.’’ Instead of issuing this AD,

the commenter recommends that the

proposed requirements be added to the

airlines’ Operations Specifications, or

merely have the Principal Maintenance

Inspectors for the affected airlines talk

to the operators about this issue. The

commenter maintains that handling the

proposed requirements in some other

way than by AD action would save the

affected operators a considerable

amount of time and money.

The FAA does not concur with the

commenter’s request to withdraw the

proposal. The FAA acknowledges that

the required actions specified in this AD

were contained in a manufacturer’s

service bulletin and maintenance

circular, both of which were released

some time ago. Prudent operators, such

as the commenter, may have

accomplished those actions already.

However, until an AD is issued, there is

no legal basis for requiring U.S.

operators to comply with those actions.

The AD is the vehicle for ensuring, by

law, that all affected operators perform

the necessary actions that will address

the identified unsafe condition. In light

of this, the FAA has determined that

this AD is appropriate and warranted.

Further, the FAA is not convinced

that issuance of this AD will add a

significant economic or administrative

burden on operators who have already

accomplished the required actions, as

the commenter suggests:

First, the FAA points out that there

are currently only 34 U.S.-registered

airplanes that are affected by the AD.

Second, the compliance provision of

the AD clearly states that compliance is

‘‘required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.’’ Therefore,

operators who have already

accomplished the required actions need

only make a single entry in their

maintenance logs to indicate

compliance with the AD. Further, once

the maintenance program is changed to

include the required periodic

inspections, in accordance with

paragraph (b) of the AD, operators do

not need to make a maintenance log

entry to show compliance with the AD

every time those inspections are

accomplished thereafter. (A new Note 2

has been added to the final rule to

specify this.) Such procedures should
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 36 / Monday, February 24, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 8157

not pose a serious burden on any

operator.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available

data, including the comments noted

above, the FAA has determined that air

safety and the public interest require the

adoption of the rule with the changes

previously described. The FAA has

determined that these changes will

neither increase the economic burden

on any operator nor increase the scope

of the AD.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 34 Fokker

Model F27 series airplanes of U.S.

registry will be affected by this AD.

It will take approximately 2 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

required actions, at an average labor rate

of $60 per work hour. Based on these

figures, the cost impact of this AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,080,

or $120 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed

above is based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the requirements of this AD action, and

that no operator would accomplish

those actions in the future if this AD

were not adopted.

However, the FAA has been advised

that one U.S. operator already has

accomplished the required actions on its

2 affected airplanes. Therefore, the

future cost impact of this AD is only

$4,056.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

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 final rule does not have

sufficient federalism implications to

warrant the preparation of a Federalism

Assessment.

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)

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 final evaluation has

been prepared for this action and it is

contained in the Rules Docket. A copy

of it may be obtained from the Rules

Docket at the location provided under

the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Incorporation by reference,

Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration amends 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:

97–04–16 Fokker: Amendment 39–9941.

Docket 96-NM–38-AD.

Applicability: Model F27 series airplanes,

serial numbers 10102 through 10692

inclusive; equipped with Walter Kidde nose

wheel steering system (steering unit gearbox

housing assembly) having part number

893954; 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 (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 prevent a reduction in the torque value

of the bolt in the Walter Kidde nose wheel

steering system, which could result in

reduced controllability of the airplane or the

collapse of the nose landing gear (NLG)

during landing, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 500 flight hours after the

effective date of this AD, or within 4 months

after the effective date of this AD, whichever

occurs first, tighten the bolt that connects the

gearbox housing assembly of the steering unit

to the pivot bracket of the NLG to a torque

value of 700 to 800 inch-pounds, in

accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin

F27/32–166, dated September 7, 1993.

(b) Within 30 days following

accomplishment of paragraph (a) of this AD,

revise the FAA-approved maintenance

program to include periodic inspections of

the torque value of the affected bolt, as

described in Fokker F27 Maintenance

Circular No. 32–6, dated April 30, 1993; and,

thereafter, comply with those requirements.

Note 2: Once the maintenance program is

changed to include the required periodic

inspections, in accordance with this

paragraph, operators do not need to make a

maintenance log entry to show compliance

with this AD every time those inspections are

accomplished thereafter.

(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 3: 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.

(e) The actions shall be done in accordance

with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/32–166,

dated September 7, 1993; and Fokker F27

Maintenance Circular No. 32–6, dated April

30, 1993. This incorporation by reference was

approved by the Director of the Federal

Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)

and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained

from Fokker Aircraft USA, Inc., 1199 North

Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

Copies may be inspected at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,

DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on

March 31, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February

13, 1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–4201 Filed 2–21–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96–NM–48–AD; Amendment

39–9942; AD 97–04–17]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; British

Aerospace Model BAe 146 Series

Airplanes and Model Avro 146–RJ

Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.