Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 26, 2016 / Proposed Rules 4217 

TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (C) OF THIS AD—APPLICABLE ENGINES AND FUEL PUMP HOSE ASSEMBLIES—Continued 

Engine Manufacturer’s hose name Manufacturer’s part No. (P/N) Hose description 

LTIO–540–J2BD (left wing) ........... Hose Assembly—Fuel .................. Piper 39995–034 .......................... Inlet fuel hose to engine fuel 

pump. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 73: Engine Fuel and Control. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of an 

engine fire caused by a leak in the fuel pump 

inlet hose. We are issuing this AD to correct 

the unsafe condition on these products. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified in paragraphs 

(g)(1) through (j)(2) of this AD, unless already 

done. 

(g) Ensure Proper Clearance Between the 

Fuel Hose Assembly and the Turbocharger 

Support Assembly 

(1) Within the next 60 hours time-inservice (TIS) after the effective date of this 

AD or within the next 6 months after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

first, inspect to determine the clearance 

between the inlet and exit fuel hose 

assemblies listed in table 1 to paragraph (c) 

of this AD, and each turbocharger support 

assembly, Lycoming P/N LW–18302. There 

should be a minimum 3⁄16-inch clearance. Do 

the inspection following the INSTRUCTIONS 

section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin 

No. 1257A, dated August 4, 2015. 

(2) Before further flight after the inspection 

required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if the 

measured clearance is less than 3⁄16-inch, 

make all necessary adjustments to make the 

clearance a minimum of 3⁄16-inch between 

the inlet and exit fuel hose assemblies listed 

in table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD and 

each turbocharger support assembly, 

Lycoming P/N LW–18302, following the 

INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper Aircraft, 

Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1257A, dated 

August 4, 2015. 

(h) Visually Inspect the Fuel Hose Assembly 

and Replace if Necessary 

(1) Within the next 60 hours TIS after the 

effective date of this AD or within the next 

6 months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs first, visually inspect the 

inlet and exit fuel hose assemblies listed in 

table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD for 

evidence of leaking, cracking, chafing, and 

any other sign of damage. Do the inspection 

following the INSTRUCTIONS section of 

Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 

1257A, dated August 4, 2015. 

(2) Before further flight after the inspection 

required in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, if any 

evidence of leaking, cracking, chafing, or any 

other sign of damage is found in any inlet or 

exit fuel host assembly listed in table 1 to 

paragraph (c) of this AD, replace the fuel 

hose assembly with a serviceable part. Do the 

replacement following the INSTRUCTIONS 

section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin 

No. 1257A, dated August 4, 2015. 

(i) Visually Inspect the Turbocharger 

Support Assembly and Replace if Necessary 

(1) Within the next 60 hours TIS after the 

effective date of this AD or within the next 

6 months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs first, visually inspect each 

turbocharger support assembly, Lycoming P/ 

N LW–18302, for evidence of chafing and any 

other signs of damage. Do the inspection 

following the INSTRUCTIONS section of 

Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 

1257A, dated August 4, 2015. 

(2) Before further flight after the inspection 

required in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, if any 

evidence of chafing or any other sign of 

damage is found on any turbocharger support 

assembly, replace Lycoming 

P/N LW–18302 with a serviceable part. Do 

the replacement following the 

INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper Aircraft, 

Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1257A, dated 

August 4, 2015. 

(j) Engine Run-Up 

(1) If any fuel line component was adjusted 

or replaced during any actions required in 

paragraphs (g)(1) through (i)(2) of this AD, 

before further flight, perform an engine runup on the ground to check for leaks. Do the 

engine run-up following the INSTRUCTIONS 

section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin 

No. 1257A, dated August 4, 2015. 

(2) If any leaks found during the engine 

run-up required in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD 

emanate from any fuel line component 

adjusted, repaired, or replaced during any 

actions required in paragraphs (g)(1) through 

(i)(2) of this AD, before further flight, take all 

necessary corrective actions following the 

INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper Aircraft, 

Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1257A, dated 

August 4, 2015. 

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the 

authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 

requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 

send your request to your principal inspector 

or local Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 

attention of the person identified in the 

Related Information section of this AD. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/

certificate holding district office. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Gary Wechsler, Aerospace Engineer, 

FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 

College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 

474–5575; fax: (404) 474–5606; email: 

gary.wechsler@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 926 

Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; 

telephone: (772) 567–4361; fax: (772) 978– 

6573; Internet: www.piper.com/home/pages/

Publications.cfm. You may review copies of 

the referenced service information at the 

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (816) 329–4148. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 

16, 2016. 

Melvin Johnson, 

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2016–01380 Filed 1–25–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2016–1363; Directorate 

Identifier 2015–CE–040–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi 

Heavy Industries, Ltd. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. 

Models MU–2B–30, MU–2B–35, MU– 

2B–36, MU–2B–36A, and MU–2B–60 

airplanes. This proposed AD results 

from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as reports of cracks found in 

the attach fittings of the main landing 

gear oleo strut. We are issuing this 

proposed AD to require actions to 

address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by March 11, 2016. 

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4218 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 26, 2016 / Proposed Rules 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Mitsubishi 

Heavy Industries America, Inc., c/o 

Turbine Aircraft Services, Inc., 4550 

Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Addison, Texas 

75001; telephone: (972) 248–3108, ext. 

209; fax: (972) 248–3321; Internet: 

http://mu-2aircraft.com. You may 

review this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Small Airplane 

Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 

Missouri 64106. For information on the 

availability of this material at the FAA, 

call (816) 329–4148. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2016– 

1363; or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this proposed AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information. The 

street address for the Docket Office 

(telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace Engineer, 

FAA, ASW–143 (c/o San Antonio 

MIDO), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, 

San Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 

308–3365; fax: (210) 308–3370; email: 

andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposed AD. Send your comments 

to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2016–1363; Directorate Identifier 

2015–CE–040–AD’’ at the beginning of 

your comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this proposed AD. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

proposed AD because of those 

comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

regulations.gov, including any personal 

information you provide. We will also 

post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau 

(JCAB), which is the aviation authority 

for Japan, has issued AD No. TCD– 

8595–2015, dated July 1, 2015 (referred 

to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct 

an unsafe condition for certain 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) 

Models MU–2B–30, MU–2B–35, and 

MU–2B–36 airplanes. You may examine 

the MCAI on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating it in Docket No. FAA– 

2016–1363. 

We have received reports of seven 

failures of the main landing gear oleo 

strut attach fitting on certain MHI 

Models MU–2B–30, MU–2B–35, MU– 

2B–36, MU–2B–36A, and MU–2B–60 

airplanes. Investigation revealed that the 

failures resulted from improper 

lubrication and/or hard landings, which 

caused cracks to develop in the main 

landing gear oleo strut attach fitting. 

Japan is the State of Design for MHI 

Models MU–2B–30, MU–2B–35, and 

MU–2B–36, which the MCAI AD 

applies to, and the United States is the 

State of Design for MHI Models MU– 

2B–36A and MU–2B–60 airplanes. 

Related Service Information Under 

1 CFR Part 51 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. has 

issued MU–2 Service Bulletin No. 243, 

dated June 30, 2015, and MU–2 Service 

Bulletin No. 105/32–017, dated 

September 29, 2015. These service 

bulletins describe procedures for 

visually inspecting the lugs of the oleo 

attach fittings on both sides for cracks, 

and if any visible cracks are found, 

replacing with a new fitting. Mitsubishi 

Heavy Industries, Ltd. has also issued 

MU–2 Service News JCAB T.C.: No. 171, 

FAA T.C.: No. 124/32–011, dated April 

27, 2012, and MU–2 Service News JCAB 

T.C.: No. 176, FAA T.C.: No. 128/32– 

013, dated July 18, 2013. This service 

information specifies doing repetitive 

ultrasound inspections of the main 

landing gear oleo upper attach fittings 

for cracks and ensuring proper 

lubrication of the main landing gear 

oleo fitting. All the related service 

information is reasonably available 

because the interested parties have 

access to it through their normal course 

of business or by the means identified 

in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of the Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with this State of 

Design Authority, they have notified us 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all 

information and determined the unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the MCAI 

We have determined that the 

repetitive visual inspections specified in 

the MCAI are not adequate for detecting 

cracks in the main landing gear oleo 

strut attach fitting. Repetitive ultrasonic 

inspections of the main landing gear 

oleo strut attach fitting have been added 

into the maintenance requirement 

manual for these airplanes, which is not 

considered mandatory in the FAA’s 

airworthiness regulatory system. 

Therefore, we are proposing to 

incorporate that requirement through 

the rulemaking process. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

will affect 95 products of U.S. registry. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 5 work-hours per product to 

comply with the visual inspection 

requirement of this proposed AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate 

the cost of the visual inspection 

requirements of this proposed AD on 

U.S. operators to be $40,375, or $425 per 

product. 

We also estimate that it would take 

about 3 work-hours per product to 

comply with the ultrasound inspection 

requirements of this proposed AD. The 

average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. 

Based on these figures, we estimate 

the cost of the ultrasound inspection 

requirements of this proposed AD on 

U.S. operators to be $24,225, or $255 per 

product. 

Owner/operators have the option to 

do an ultrasound inspection in lieu of 

the required visual inspection. 

In addition, we estimate that any 

necessary follow-on actions would take 

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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 26, 2016 / Proposed Rules 4219 

about 24 work-hours and require parts 

costing $5,220, for a cost of $7,260 per 

product to replace the left-hand main 

landing gear oleo strut. We have no way 

of determining the number of products 

that may need this action. 

In addition, we also estimate that any 

necessary follow-on actions would take 

about 45 work-hours and require parts 

costing $5,220, for a cost of $9,045 per 

product to replace the right-hand main 

landing gear oleo strut. We have no way 

of determining the number of products 

that may need this action. 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 

We are issuing this rulemaking under 

the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII, 

Part A, Subpart III, section 44701: 

General requirements.’’ Under that 

section, Congress charges the FAA with 

promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in 

air commerce by prescribing regulations 

for practices, methods, and procedures 

the Administrator finds necessary for 

safety in air commerce. This regulation 

is within the scope of that authority 

because it addresses an unsafe condition 

that is likely to exist or develop on 

products identified in this rulemaking 

action. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that this proposed AD 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. This 

proposed AD would not have a 

substantial direct effect 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. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify 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), 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(4) 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.: Docket 

No. FAA–2016–1363; Directorate 

Identifier 2015–CE–040–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by March 11, 

2016. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Mitsubishi Heavy 

Industries, Ltd. Models MU–2B–30, MU–2B– 

35, MU–2B–36 airplanes, serial numbers 502 

through 696, except 652 and 661, and Models 

MU–2B–36A and MU–2B–60 airplanes, serial 

numbers 661SA, and 697SA through 1569SA, 

certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association of America 

(ATA) Code 32: Landing Gear. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by mandatory 

continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of another 

country to identify and correct an unsafe 

condition on an aviation product. The MCAI 

describes the unsafe condition as reports of 

cracks found in the fittings of the main 

landing gear oleo strut. We are issuing this 

proposed AD to prevent failure of the main 

landing gear oleo strut attach fitting, which 

could cause the landing gear to fail and result 

in loss of control. 

(f) Actions and Compliance 

Unless already done, do the following 

actions: 

(1) Within the next 100 hours time-inservice (TIS) after the effective date of this 

AD or within the next 6 months after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

first, do a visual inspection of the main 

landing gear oleo upper attach fittings for 

cracks. Do the inspection following the 

INSTRUCTIONS section in Mitsubishi Heavy 

Industries, Ltd. MU–2 Service Bulletin No. 

243, dated June 30, 2015, and the 

INSTRUCTIONS section in Mitsubishi Heavy 

Industries, Ltd. MU–2 Service Bulletin No. 

105/32–017, dated September 29, 2015, as 

applicable. 

(2) Before further flight after the inspection 

required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, if no 

signs of cracks are found, lubricate the pin 

assembly attached to the main landing gear 

oleo attach fitting as specified in Mitsubishi 

Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU–2 Service News 

JCAB T.C.: No. 171, FAA T.C.: No. 124/32– 

011, dated April 27, 2012. 

(3) Within the next 100 hours TIS after 

doing the initial visual inspection required in 

paragraph (f)(1) of this AD or within the next 

12 months after doing the initial visual 

inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this 

AD, whichever occurs first, do an ultrasound 

inspection of the main landing gear oleo 

upper attach fittings for cracks as specified in 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU–2 

Service News JCAB T.C.: No. 176, FAA T.C.: 

No. 128/32–013, dated July 18, 2013. This 

ultrasound inspection may also be done in 

place of the visual inspection required in 

paragraph (f)(1) of this AD if done within the 

next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of 

this AD or within the next 6 months after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

first. Repetitively thereafter inspect every 600 

hours TIS or 36 months, whichever occurs 

first, and any time a hard landing or 

overweight landing occurs. 

(4) Before further flight after any inspection 

required in paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, if no 

signs of cracks are found, lubricate the pin 

assembly attached to the main landing gear 

oleo attach fitting as specified in Mitsubishi 

Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU–2 Service News 

JCAB T.C.: No. 171, FAA T.C.: No. 124/32– 

011, dated April 27, 2012, and Mitsubishi 

Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU–2 Service News 

JCAB T.C.: No. 176, FAA T.C.: No. 128/32– 

013, dated July 18, 2013. 

(5) Before further flight after any inspection 

required in paragraph (f)(1) and (f)(3) of this 

AD where cracks are found, replace the main 

landing gear oleo upper attach fittings 

following the INSTRUCTIONS section in 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU–2 

Service Bulletin No. 243, dated June 30, 

2015, and the INSTRUCTIONS sections in 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU–2 

Service Bulletin No. 105/32–017, dated 

September 29, 2015, as applicable. After 

replacement, continue with the repetitive 

ultrasound inspection requirements of 

paragraph (f)(3) of this AD. 

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, 

FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 

for this AD, if requested using the procedures 

found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 

ATTN: Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace 

Engineer, FAA, ASW–143 (c/o San Antonio 

MIDO), 10100 Reunion Place, Suite 650, San 

Antonio, Texas 78216; phone: (210) 308– 

3365; fax: (210) 308–3370; email: 

andrew.mcanaul@faa.gov. Before using any 

approved AMOC on any airplane to which 

the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 

principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 

Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking 

a PI, your local FSDO. 

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4220 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 16 / Tuesday, January 26, 2016 / Proposed Rules 

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement 

in this AD to obtain corrective actions from 

a manufacturer or other source, use these 

actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective 

actions are considered FAA-approved if they 

are approved by the State of Design Authority 

(or their delegated agent). You are required 

to assure the product is airworthy before it 

is returned to service. 

(h) Related Information 

Refer to MCAI Japan Civil Aviation Bureau 

(JCAB) AD No. TCD–8585–2015, dated July 1, 

2015, for related information. You may 

examine the MCAI on the Internet at http:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2016–1363. For 

service information related to this AD, 

contact Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 

America, Inc., c/o Turbine Aircraft Services, 

Inc., 4550 Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Addison, 

Texas 75001; telephone: (972) 248–3108, ext. 

209; fax: (972) 248–3321; Internet: http://mu2aircraft.com. You may review this 

referenced service information at the FAA, 

Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (816) 329–4148. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 

16, 2016. 

Melvin Johnson, 

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2016–01381 Filed 1–25–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2015–4133; Airspace 

Docket No. 15–ANM–27] 

Proposed Revocation of Class D 

Airspace; Vancouver, WA 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: This action proposes to 

remove Class D airspace at Pearson 

Field, Vancouver, WA. FAA Joint Order 

7400.2K states that non-towered airports 

requiring a surface area will be 

designated Class E. Class E surface area 

airspace was established on December 

10, 2015. The FAA is proposing this 

action due to the lack of an operating air 

traffic control tower at Pearson Field 

Airport, Vancouver, WA. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before March 11, 2016. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; 

telephone (202) 366–9826. You must 

identify FAA Docket No. FAA–2015– 

4133; Airspace Docket No. 15–ANM–27, 

at the beginning of your comments. You 

may also submit comments through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

You may review the public docket 

containing the proposal, any comments 

received, and any final disposition in 

person in the Dockets Office between 

9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

The Docket Office (telephone 1–800– 

647–5527), is on the ground floor of the 

building at the above address. 

FAA Order 7400.9Z, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, and 

subsequent amendments can be viewed 

online at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/ 

publications/. For further information, 

you can contact the Airspace Policy 

Group, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 29591; 

telephone: 202–267–8783. The Order is 

also available for inspection at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For 

information on the availability of FAA 

Order 7400.9Z at NARA, call 202–741– 

6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/ 

federal_register/code_of_federalregulations/ibr_locations.html. 

FAA Order 7400.9, Airspace 

Designations and Reporting Points, is 

published yearly and effective on 

September 15. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Steve Haga, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Operations Support 

Group, Western Service Center, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057; 

telephone (425) 203–4563. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

The FAA’s authority to issue rules 

regarding aviation safety is found in 

Title 49 of the United States Code. 

Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 

authority of the FAA Administrator. 

Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 

describes in more detail the scope of the 

agency’s authority. This rulemaking is 

promulgated under the authority 

described in Subtitle VII, Part, A, 

Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that 

section, the FAA is charged with 

prescribing regulations to assign the use 

of airspace necessary to ensure the 

safety of aircraft and the efficient use of 

airspace. This regulation is within the 

scope of that authority as it would 

remove Class D airspace at Pearson 

Field Airport, Vancouver, WA. 

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 particularly helpful in 

developing reasoned regulatory 

decisions on the proposal. Comments 

are specifically invited on the overall 

regulatory, aeronautical, economic, 

environmental, and energy-related 

aspects of the proposal. 

Communications should identify both 

docket numbers 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 

Docket No. FAA–2015–4133; Airspace 

Docket No. 15–ANM–27.’’ The postcard 

will be date/time stamped and returned 

to the commenter. 

Availability of NPRMs 

An electronic copy of this document 

may be downloaded through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

Recently published rulemaking 

documents can also be accessed through 

the FAA’s Web page at http://www.faa.

gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/

publications/airspace_amendments/. 

You may review the public docket 

containing the proposal, any comments 

received, and any final disposition in 

person in the Dockets Office (see the 

ADDRESSES section for the address and 

phone number) between 9:00 a.m. and 

5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except federal holidays. An informal 

docket may also be examined during 

normal business hours at the Northwest 

Mountain Regional Office of the Federal 

Aviation Administration, Air Traffic 

Organization, Western Service Center, 

Operations Support Group, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057. 

Persons interested in being placed on 

a mailing list for future NPRMs should 

contact the FAA’s Office of Rulemaking, 

(202) 267–9677, for a copy of Advisory 

Circular No. 11–2A, Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking Distribution System, which 

describes the application procedure. 

Availability and Summary of 

Documents Proposed for Incorporation 

by Reference 

This document would amend FAA 

Order 7400.9Z, Airspace Designations 

and Reporting Points, dated August 6, 

2015, and effective September 15, 2015. 

FAA Order 7400.9Z is publicly available 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS