Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 71 / Monday, April 14, 1997 / Proposed Rules 18063

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 126 airplanes

in the U.S. registry would be affected by

the proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 9 workhours per airplane

to accomplish the proposed action, and

that the average labor rate is

approximately $60 an hour. The

manufacturer is providing the parts at

no charge. Based on these figures, the

total cost impact of the proposed AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $68,040

or $540 per airplane.

Jetstream has informed the FAA it has

received approximately 78 orders for the

parts to accomplish the proposed action.

If each set of parts is installed on an

affected airplane the estimated cost to

the owners/operators in the U.S. would

be reduced from $68,040 to $25,920.

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 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

Jetstream Aircraft Limited: Docket No. 92–

CE–46–AD.

Applicability: Models 3101 and 3201

airplanes (serial numbers 693 through 870)

that have kit JK 2496 and modification JM

7537 installed, 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 within the next 100

hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective

date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent loss of the airplane’s internal

power connection to the auto-ignition

system, which could cause loss of engine

power and possible loss of the airplane,

accomplish the following:

(a) Install magnetically latching relays

with wiring changes (quantity 2) in

accordance with the

ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS

section of the Jetstream Service Bulletin

(SB) No. 74–JM 7693A, Original Issue

dated May 17, 1990; Revision 3, dated

January 28, 1993.

(b) 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.

(c) An alternative method of

compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an

equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Brussels

Aircraft Certification Division, FAA,

Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office,

c/o American Embassy, B–1000

Brussels, Belgium. The request shall be

forwarded through an appropriate FAA

Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the

Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification

Division.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Brussels Aircraft

Certification Division.

(d) All persons affected by this directive

may obtain copies of the document referred

to herein upon request to Jetstream Aircraft

Limited, Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, KA9

2RW, Scotland; telephone (0292) 79888;

facsimile (0292) 79703; or may examine this

document at the FAA, Central Region, Office

of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558,

601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri

64106.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on April 7,

1997.

Henry A. Armstrong,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–9452 Filed 4–11–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–13–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing

Model 747–400 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 Boeing Model 747–400 series

airplanes. This proposal would require

replacing the cam assembly, cam

bellcrank assembly, and thrust reverser

control switch actuator on all four thrust

levers with new components. This

proposal is prompted by a report of an

uncommanded automatic retraction of

the leading edge flaps during takeoff.

The actions specified by the proposed

AD are intended to prevent such

uncommanded automatic retraction,

which could seriously degrade liftoff

and climb capabilities, and result in

near-stall conditions at a critical phase

of the flight.

DATES: Comments must be received by

May 22, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

13–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this
18064 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 71 / Monday, April 14, 1997 / Proposed Rules

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

Boeing Commercial Airplane Group,

P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington

98124–2207. This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frank van Leynseele, Aerospace

Engineer, Systems and Equipment

Branch, ANM–130S, FAA, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington;

telephone (206) 227–2671; fax (206)

227–1181.

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–13–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–13–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The FAA received a report indicating

that an operator of a Boeing Model 747–

400 series airplane aborted takeoff

because of uncommanded automatic

retraction of the leading edge flaps.

When the throttles were advanced

during takeoff, the reverse thrust levers

were moved upward as they came into

contact with objects placed on the

central console. This movement was

sufficient to activate the mechanical

interlock in the reverse thrust levers,

which resulted in an uncommanded

automatic retraction of the Group A

leading edge flaps while the airplane

was on the takeoff roll. Such

uncommanded automatic retraction, if

not corrected, could seriously degrade

liftoff and climb capabilities, and result

in near-stall conditions at a critical

phase of the flight.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–

27A2356, dated December 5, 1996,

which describes procedures for

replacing the cam assembly, cam

bellcrank assembly, and thrust reverser

control switch actuator on all four thrust

levers with new components.

Accomplishment of the replacements

will preclude uncommanded automatic

retraction of the leading edge flaps

during takeoff.

The alert service bulletin also

describes procedures for operational

tests of the thrust reverser, automatic

throttle disconnect/reset and go-around

switches, and Group A leading edge

flaps during reverse thrust operation.

These tests are conducted to ensure that

the thrust reverser system operates

properly.

Explanation of Requirements of

Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other products of this same

type design, the proposed AD would

require replacing the cam assembly, cam

bellcrank assembly, and thrust reverser

control switch actuator on all four thrust

levers with new components. The

actions would be required to be

accomplished in accordance with the

alert service bulletin described

previously.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and

Alert Service Bulletin

Operators should note that, although

the alert service bulletin recommends

accomplishing the replacements ‘‘as

soon as manpower and facilities are

available,’’ the FAA has determined that

the proposed replacements should be

accomplished within 18 months after

the effective date of this AD. In

developing an appropriate compliance

time for this proposed AD, the FAA

considered not only the manufacturer’s

recommendation, but the degree of

urgency associated with addressing the

subject unsafe condition, the average

utilization of the affected fleet, and the

time necessary to perform the

replacements (8 work hours). In light of

all these factors, the FAA finds an 18-

month compliance time for initiating

the required actions to be warranted, in

that it represents an appropriate interval

of time allowable for affected airplanes

to continue to operate without

compromising safety.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 394 Boeing

Model 747–400 series airplanes of the

affected design in the worldwide fleet.

The FAA estimates that 35 airplanes of

U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 8 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the proposed

actions, and that the average labor rate

is $60 per work hour. Required parts

would cost between $3,412 and $4,740

per airplane. Based on these figures, the

cost impact of the proposed AD is

estimated to be between $136,220 and

$182,700, or between $3,892 and $5,220

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.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 71 / Monday, April 14, 1997 / Proposed Rules 18065

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 the following new airworthiness

directive:

Boeing: Docket 97–NM–13–AD.

Applicability: Model 747–400 series

airplanes, line positions 696 through 1090

inclusive; 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 uncommanded automatic

retraction of the leading edge flaps during

takeoff, which would seriously degrade liftoff

and climb capabilities, and could result in

near-stall conditions, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 18 months after the effective

date of this AD, accomplish the requirements

of paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as

applicable, in accordance with Boeing Alert

Service Bulletin 747–27A2356, dated

December 5, 1996.

(1) For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes, as listed

in the alert service bulletin: Replace the cam

assembly, cam bellcrank assembly, and thrust

reverser control switch actuator on all four

thrust levers with new components.

(2) For Groups 3 and 4 airplanes, as listed

in the alert service bulletin: Replace the cam

bellcrank assembly and thrust reverser

control switch actuator on all four thrust

levers with new components.

(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, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 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, Seattle ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

(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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 7,

1997.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 97–9453 Filed 4–11–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 97–ASO–7]

Proposed Amendment of Class D

Airspace; Miami Opa Locka Airport, FL

and Hollywood, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to

amend the Class D airspace areas at

Miami Opa Locka Airport, FL and

Hollywood, FL. As a result of a recent

airspace review of the Class D airspace

areas at both locations, it was

determined that additional controlled

airspace extending upward from the

surface is needed to accommodate

instrument flight rules (IFR) operations

at the Opa Locka and North Perry

Airports.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before May 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the

proposals in triplicate to: Federal

Aviation Administration, Docket No.

97–ASO–7, Manager, Operations

Branch, ASO–530, P.O. Box 20636,

Atlanta, Georgia 30320.

The official docket may be examined

in the Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel for Southern Region, Room 550,

1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park,

Georgia 30337, telephone (404) 305–

5586.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Benny L. McGlamery, Operations

Branch, Air Traffic Division, Federal

Aviation Administration, P.O. Box

20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320;

Telephone (404)305–5570.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested parties are invited to

participate in this proposed rulemaking

by submitting such written data, views

or arguments as they may desire.

Comment 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 the

airspace docket 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

Airspace Docket No. 97–ASO–7.’’ The

postcard will be date/time stamped and

returned to the commenters. All

communications received before the

specified closing date for comments will

be considered before taking action on

the proposed rule. The proposal

contained in this notice may be changed

in light of the comments received. All

comments submitted will be available

for examination in the Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel for Southern

Region, Room 550, 1701 Columbia

Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337,

both before and after the closing date for

comments. A report summarizing each

substantive public contact with FAA

personnel concerned with this

rulemaking will be filed in the docket.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

by submitting a request to the Federal

Aviation Administration, Manager,

Operations Branch, ASO–530, Air

Traffic Division, P.O. Box 20636,

Atlanta, Georgia 30320.

Communications must identify the

notice number of this NPRM. Persons

interested in being placed on a mailing

list for future NPRMs should also

request a copy of Advisory Circular No.

11–2A which describes the application

procedure.