This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

9223

Vol. 65, No. 37

Thursday, February 24, 2000

FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION

12 CFR Part 650

RIN 3052–AB56

Federal Agricultural Mortgage

Corporation; Risk-Based Capital

Requirements

AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration.

ACTION: Proposed rule; comment period

extension.

SUMMARY: The Farm Credit

Administration (FCA) Board extends the

comment period on the proposed rule

that would establish risk-based capital

requirements for the Federal

Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

(Corporation) to June 12, 2000, so

interested parties have additional time

to provide comments.

DATES: Please send your comments to us

on or before June 12, 2000.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or deliver

comments to Carl A. Clinefelter,

Director, Office of Secondary Market

Oversight, Farm Credit Administration,

1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean,

Virginia 22102–5090 or send them by

facsimile transmission to (703) 734–

5784. You may also submit comments

via electronic mail to ‘‘regcomm@fca.gov’’ or through the Pending

Regulations section of the FCA’s

interactive Web site at ‘‘www.fca.gov.’’

Copies of all communications received

will be available for review by

interested parties in the Office of Policy

and Analysis, Farm Credit

Administration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl

A. Clinefelter, Director, Office of

Secondary Market Oversight, Farm

Credit Administration, McLean, VA

22102–5090, (703) 883–4280, TDD (703)

883–4444, or Dennis K. Carpenter,

Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Policy

and Analysis, Farm Credit

Administration, McLean, VA 22102–

5090, (703) 883–4498, TDD (703) 883–

4444, or Joy Strickland, Senior Counsel,

Office of General Counsel, Farm Credit

Administration, McLean, VA 22102–

5090, (703) 883–4020, TDD (703) 883–

4444.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

November 12, 1999, FCA published a

proposed rule in the Federal Register to

amend regulations in part 650 to

establish a risk-based capital stress test

for the Corporation as required by

section 8.32 of the Farm Credit Act of

1971, as amended (12 U.S.C. 227966–1).

The comment period will expire on

March 13, 2000. See 64 FR 61740,

November 12, 1999. In response to a

request, we now extend the comment

period until June 12, 2000, so

commenters will have more time to

respond.

Dated: February 17, 2000.

Vivian L. Portis,

Secretary, Farm Credit Administration Board.

[FR Doc. 00–4339 Filed 2–23–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6705–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NM–362–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

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

certain Airbus Model A300–600 series

airplanes. This proposal would require

modification of certain electrical looms

of the nose and main landing gear and

modification of the rotor shaft

attachment of the nose and main

landing gear tachometers. 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 erratic

operation of the wheel tachometers,

which could result in degradation of the

braking performance, and possible

increased landing roll.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Comments must be

received by March 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99–NM–

362–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:

Norman B. Martenson, 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

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 99–NM–362–AD.’’ The

9224 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 37 / Thursday, February 24, 2000 / Proposed Rules

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–114, Attention: Rules Docket No.

99–NM–362–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 certain Airbus

Model A300–600 series airplanes. The

DGAC advises that it has received a

report indicating that, after touchdown,

an airplane overran the runway due to

degradation of the braking system

performance combined with nonextension of spoilers 1 and 4.

Investigation into the degradation of the

braking system performance and the

non-extension of the spoilers revealed

that the cause was attributed to

incorrect speed signals supplied by the

wheel tachometers due to:

• Moisture, dirt, and subsequent

corrosion of the electrical connectors of

the nose and main landing gears; and

• Fracture of the coupling pins

between the rotor shaft attachment and

the drive coupling of the tachometer.

These conditions, if not corrected,

could result in erratic operation of the

tachometers, which could cause a

significant degradation of the braking

system performance. Furthermore, if a

tachometer on an aft wheel of the main

landing gear is not operating correctly,

this condition could affect the control

logic of the spoiler extension and could

result in an increased landing roll.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued Airbus

Service Bulletin A300–32–6069,

Revision 01, dated December 29, 1999,

which describes procedures for

modification of certain electrical looms

of the nose and main landing gears. The

modification involves installing heatshrinkable sheaths on the ground/flight

detection loom connectors and strutlocking switches, and draining the

looms of certain locking switches.

The manufacturer also has issued

Airbus Service Bulletin A300–32–6077,

Revision 01, dated September 25, 1999,

which describes procedures for

modification of the rotor shaft

attachment of the nose and main

landing gear tachometers. This

modification involves machining the

rotor assembly and either machining or

replacing the drive coupling with a new

drive coupling, and attaching the rotor

shaft to the drive coupling with a rivet.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the Airbus service bulletins

is intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition. The DGAC

classified these service bulletins as

mandatory and issued French

airworthiness directive 1999–428–

295(B), dated November 3, 1999, in

order to assure the continued

airworthiness of these airplanes in

France.

The Airbus service bulletins reference

Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 470–

32–779, dated April 14, 1997; MessierDowty Service Bulletin 470–32–777,

dated July 1, 1997; and Messier-Bugatti

Service Bulletin C20105–32–782, dated

October 17, 1996, as additional sources

of service information for accomplishing

the requirements of this proposed AD.

FAA’s Conclusions

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, 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 Airbus service bulletins described

previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 79 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD.

It would take approximately 7 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

proposed modification of the electrical

looms, at an average labor rate of $60

per work hour. Required parts would

cost approximately $687 per airplane.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $87.453, or $1,107 per

airplane.

It would take approximately 13 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

proposed modification of the rotor shaft

attachment, at an average labor rate of

$60 per work hour. Required parts

would cost approximately $169 per

airplane. Based on these figures, the cost

impact of the proposed AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $74,971, or

$949 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 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. Therefore,

it is determined that this proposal

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

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.

§ 3913 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 37 / Thursday, February 24, 2000 / Proposed Rules 9225

Airbus Industrie: Docket 99–NM–362–AD.

Applicability: Model A300–600 series

airplanes, certificated in any category, except

those airplanes on which Airbus

Modifications 11661 and 11676 (Airbus

Service Bulletin A300–32–6069) and 12095

(Airbus Service Bulletin A300–32–6077)

have been installed.

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 erratic operation of the wheel

tachometers, which could result in

degradation of the braking performance, and

possible increased landing roll, accomplish

the following:

Modifications

(a) Within 18 months after the effective

date of this AD, accomplish the requirements

of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.

(1) Modify the electrical looms of the nose

and main landing gear, in accordance with

Airbus Service Bulletin A300–32–6069,

Revision 01, dated December 29, 1999; and

(2) Modify the rotor shaft attachment of the

nose and main landing gear tachometers, in

accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin

A300–32–6077, Revision 01, dated

September 25, 1999.

Note 2: Messier-Dowty Service Bulletins

470–32–779, dated April 14, 1997, and 470–

32–777, dated July 1, 1997, are referenced in

Airbus Service Bulletin A300–32–6069.

Messier-Bugatti Service Bulletin C20105–32–

782, dated October 17, 1996, is referenced in

Airbus Service Bulletin A300–32–6077. The

Messier-Dowty and Messier-Bugatti service

bulletins are additional sources of service

information for accomplishing the applicable

actions required by this AD.

Note 3: Accomplishment of the

modifications required by paragraph (a) of

this AD, prior to the effective date of this AD,

in accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin

A300–32–6069, dated June 13, 1997, or

A300–32–6077, dated May 28, 1999, is

considered acceptable for compliance with

the applicable requirements specified by this

AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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 4: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

Special Flight Permits

(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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed

in French airworthiness directive 1999–428–

295(B), dated November 3, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February

4, 2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–3134 Filed 2–23–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–M

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NM–28–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

supersedure of an existing airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to all Airbus

Model A319, A320, and A321 series

airplanes, that currently requires

repetitive inspections for discrepancies

of the lock bolt for the pintle pin on the

main landing gear (MLG), and follow-on

corrective actions, if necessary. This

action would require additional followon actions for certain airplanes. 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 detect and correct a rotated,

damaged, or missing lock bolt, which

could result in disengagement of the

pintle pin from the pintle fitting

bearing, and consequent collapse of the

MLG during landing.

DATES: Comments must be received by

March 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99–NM–

28–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:

Norman B. Martenson, 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

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 99–NM–28–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