19668 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules

1Trade data for Great Britain alone was not

available.

proposed action would also relieve the

quarantine requirements of § 93.206(b)

for poultry hatching eggs imported from

Great Britain.

On October 28, 1997, we published a

final rule and policy statement in the

Federal Register that established

procedures for recognizing regions,

rather than only countries, for the

purpose of importing animals and

animal products into the United States,

and that established procedures by

which regions may request permission

to export animals and animal products

to the United States under specified

conditions, based on the regions’

disease status (see 62 FR 56000–56033,

Dockets 94–106–8 and 94–106–9). The

final rule was effective on November 28,

1997. The request from Great Britain’s

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and

Food addressed by this proposed rule is

not a request to be recognized as a

region, rather than a country, nor a

request to establish new import

conditions based on the disease status of

the regions. Therefore, we have handled

and evaluated this request in the

traditional framework of recognizing a

country as free or not free of a specified

disease. If this proposed rule is adopted,

the current regulations regarding

importation of poultry products from

regions free of END will apply.

Executive Order 12866

This proposed rule has been reviewed

under Executive Order 12866. The rule

has been determined to be not

significant for the purposes of Executive

Order 12866 and, therefore, has not

been reviewed by the Office of

Management and Budget.

This proposed rule would recognize

Great Britain as free of END. This

proposed action is based on information

received from Great Britain’s Ministry of

Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food and is

in accordance with OIE standards for

recognizing a country as free of END.

This proposed rule would relieve

restrictions on the importation of

carcasses, or parts or products of

carcasses, of poultry, game birds, or

other birds, from Great Britain. It would

relieve the END-specific restrictions on

the importation of eggs (other than

hatching eggs) laid by poultry, game

birds, or other birds from Great Britain.

This proposed rule would also relieve

the quarantine requirements for poultry

hatching eggs imported from Great

Britain.

The United States imports few eggs,

only about 0.1 percent of U.S.

production. The United States is a very

strong net exporter of poultry products,

with imports of only 3,546 metric tons

and exports of more than 2 million

metric tons in 1996 (‘‘World Trade

Atlas,’’ June 1997). More than 99

percent of U.S. poultry product imports

originate in Canada. Prior to January 31,

1997, when APHIS removed Great

Britain from the list of END-free regions,

U.S. imports of poultry products from

the United Kingdom, which includes

Great Britain and Northern Ireland,

accounted for less than 2 percent of the

total U.S. imports of poultry products.1

U.S. producers, consumers, and

importers of poultry products may be

potentially affected by this proposed

rule. However, because the volume of

poultry products previously imported

from the United Kingdom was so small

compared to the amount produced

domestically, and because the total

volume of overall poultry product

imports is also very small, little or no

impact on consumer and producer

prices and on importers, is expected.

Under these circumstances, the

Administrator of the Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service has

determined that this action would not

have a significant economic impact on

a substantial number of small entities.

Executive Order 12988

This proposed rule has been reviewed

under Executive Order 12988, Civil

Justice Reform. If this proposed rule is

adopted: (1) All State and local laws and

regulations that are inconsistent with

this rule will be preempted; (2) no

retroactive effect will be given to this

rule; and (3) administrative proceedings

will not be required before parties may

file suit in court challenging this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This proposed rule contains no new

information collection or recordkeeping

requirements under the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501

et seq.).

List of Subjects in 9 CFR Part 94

Animal diseases, Imports, Livestock,

Meat and meat products, Poultry and

poultry products, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements.

Accordingly, 9 CFR part 94 would be

amended as follows:

PART 94—RINDERPEST, FOOT-ANDMOUTH DISEASE, FOWL PEST (FOWL

PLAGUE), EXOTIC NEWCASTLE

DISEASE, AFRICAN SWINE FEVER,

HOG CHOLERA, AND BOVINE

SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY:

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED

IMPORTATIONS

1. The authority citation for part 94

would continue to read as follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 147a, 150ee, 161, 162,

and 450; 19 U.S.C. 1306; 21 U.S.C. 111, 114a,

134a, 134b, 134c, 134f, 136, and 136a; 31

U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 4331 and 4332; 7 CFR

2.22, 2.80, and 371.2(d).

§ 94.6 [Amended]

2. In § 94.6, paragraph (a)(2) would be

amended by adding the words ‘‘Great

Britain (England, Scotland, Wales, and

the Isle of Man),’’ immediately after the

word ‘‘Finland,’’.

Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of

April 1998.

Charles P. Schwalbe,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 98–10560 Filed 4–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–34–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–SW–03–AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter

France Model SE3130, SA3180,

SE313B, SA318B, and SA318C

Helicopters

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

Eurocopter France Model SE3130,

SA3180, SE313B, SA318B, and SA318C

helicopters. This proposal would

require initial and repetitive visual

inspections and modification, if

necessary, of the horizontal stabilizer

spar tube (spar tube). This proposal is

prompted by an in-service report of

fatigue cracks that initiated from

corrosion pits. The actions specified by

the proposed AD are intended to

prevent fatigue failure of the spar tube,

separation and impact of the horizontal

stabilizer with the main or tail rotor,

and subsequent loss of control of the

helicopter.
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules 19669

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before May 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Office of the

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–SW–03–

AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,

Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 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

American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701

Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas

75053–4005, telephone (972) 641–3460,

fax (972) 641–3527. This information

may be examined at the FAA, Office of

the Regional Counsel, Southwest

Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room

663, Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Richard Monschke, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft

Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,

Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone

(817) 222–5116, fax (817) 222–5961.

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

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 No. 98–SW–03–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, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Southwest Region, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 98–SW–03–AD, 2601

Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth,

Texas 76137.

Discussion

The Direction Generale de L’Aviation

Civile (DGAC), which is the

airworthiness authority for France,

recently notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on Eurocopter

France Model SE3130, SA3180, SE313B,

SA318B, and SA318C helicopters. The

DGAC advises that fatigue failure of the

spar tube can result in separation and

impact of the horizontal stabilizer with

the main or tail rotor and subsequent

loss of control of the helicopter.

Eurocopter France has issued

Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No.

55.10, Revision 2, dated April 25, 1997,

which specifies visual inspections of the

spar tube for corrosion until a modified

spar tube is installed, and visual

inspections of the spar tube at specified

time intervals. The DGAC classified this

service bulletin as mandatory and

issued DGAC AD 96–278–054(B)R1,

dated May 21, 1997, in order to assure

the continued airworthiness of these

helicopters in France.

This helicopter model is

manufactured in France and is type

certificated for operation in the United

States under the provisions of § 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.

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other Eurocopter France

Model SE3130, SA3180, SE313B,

SA318B, and SA318C helicopters of the

same type design registered in the

United States, the proposed AD would

require an initial and repetitive

inspections and modification, if

necessary, of the spar tube. The actions

would be required to be accomplished

in accordance with the service bulletin

described previously.

The FAA estimates that 14 helicopters

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 0.5 work hour per

helicopter to accomplish the inspection

and 3 work hours per helicopter to

accomplish the modification, and that

the average labor rate is $60 per work

hour. Required parts would cost

approximately $1100 per helicopter.

Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the proposed AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $1310 per

helicopter.

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.

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 to

read as follows:

Eurocopter France: Docket No. 98–SW–03–

AD.

Applicability: SE3130, SA3180, SE313B,

SA318B, and SA318C helicopters with

horizontal stabilizer, part number (P/N)
19670 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 76 /Tuesday, April 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules

3130–35–60–000, 3130–35–60–000–1, 3130–

35–60–000–2, 3130–35–60–000–3, 3130–35–

60–000–4 or higher dash numbers, installed,

certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter

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

helicopters that have been modified, altered,

or repaired so that the performance of the

requirements of this AD is affected, the

owner/operator must use the authority

provided in paragraph (e) to request approval

from the FAA. This approval may address

either no action, if the current configuration

eliminates the unsafe condition, or different

actions necessary to address the unsafe

condition described in this AD. Such a

request should include an assessment of the

effect of the changed configuration on the

unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no

case does the presence of any modification,

alteration, or repair remove any helicopter

from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent fatigue failure of the horizontal

stabilizer spar tube (spar tube), impact of the

horizontal stabilizer with the main or tail

rotor and subsequent loss of control of the

helicopter, accomplish the following:

(a) Before further flight:

(1) Inspect the aircraft records and the

horizontal stabilizer installation to determine

whether Modification 072214 (installation of

the spar tube without play) or Modification

072215 (adding two half-shells on the spar)

has been accomplished.

(2) If Modification 072214 has not been

installed, comply with paragraphs 2.A.,

2.B.1), 2.B.2)a), and 2.B.2)b) of the

Accomplishment Instructions of Eurocopter

France Service Bulletin No. 55.10, Revision

2, dated April 25, 1997 (service bulletin). If

the fit and dimensions of the components

specified in paragraph 2.B.2)a) exceed the

tolerances in the applicable structural repair

manual, replace with airworthy parts.

(3) If Modification 072215 has not been

installed, first comply with paragraphs 2.A.,

2.B.1), and 2.B.3), and then comply with

paragraph 2.B.2)c) of the Accomplishment

Instructions of the service bulletin.

Note 2: Modification kit P/N 315A–07–

0221571 contains the necessary materials to

accomplish this modification.

(b) Before the first flight of each day:

(1) Visually inspect the installation of the

half-shells, the horizontal stabilizer supports,

and the horizontal stabilizer for corrosion or

cracks. Repair any corroded parts in

accordance with the applicable maintenance

manual. Replace any cracked components

with airworthy parts before further flight.

(2) Confirm that there is no play in the

horizontal stabilizer supports by lightly

shaking the horizontal stabilizer. If play is

detected, comply with paragraphs 2.A. and

2.B.2)a) of the service bulletin. If the fit and

dimensions of the components specified in

paragraph 2.B.2)a) exceed the tolerances in

the applicable structural repair manual,

replace with airworthy parts before further

flight.

(c) At intervals not to exceed 400 hours

time-in-service (TIS) or four calendar

months, whichever occurs first, inspect and

lubricate the spar tube attachment bolts.

(d) For stabilizers, P/N 3130–35–60–000,

3130–35–60-000–1, 3130–35–60–000–2, or

3130–35–60–000–3, within 90 calendar days

and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18

calendar months, visually inspect the inside

of the horizontal spar tube in accordance

with paragraph 2.A. and 2.B.)1) of the service

bulletin.

(1) If corrosion is found inside the tube,

other than in the half-shell area, replace the

tube with an airworthy tube within the next

500 hours TIS or 24 calendar months,

whichever occurs first.

(2) If corrosion is found inside the tube in

the half-shell area, apply a protective

treatment as described in paragraph 2.B.1)b)

of the service bulletin.

(e) For stabilizers, P/N 3130–35–60–000–4

or higher dash numbers, accomplish the

following:

(1) At or before the next major inspection,

3200 hours total TIS, or 12 calendar years

total TIS, whichever occurs first, and

thereafter at each major inspection, visually

inspect the inside of the horizontal spar tube

in accordance with paragraph 2.A. and 2.B.1)

of the service bulletin.

(2) If corrosion is found inside the tube,

other than in the half-shell area, replace the

tube with an airworthy tube within the next

500 hours TIS or 18 calendar months,

whichever occurs first. If corrosion is found

inside the tube in the half-shell area, apply

a protective treatment as described in

paragraph 2.B.1)b) of the service bulletin.

(f) 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, Rotorcraft

Standards Staff, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may concur or comment and then send

it to the Manager, Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Rotorcraft Standards Staff.

(g) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197

and 21.199) to operate the helicopter to a

location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Direction Generale De L’Aviation Civile

(France) AD 96–278–054(B)R1, dated May 21,

1997.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 14,

1998.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–10460 Filed 4–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–SW–02–AD]

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter

France Model SA. 315B Helicopters

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

Eurocopter France Model SA. 315B

helicopters. This proposal would

require an initial and repetitive visual

inspections and modification, if

necessary, of the horizontal stabilizer

spar tube (spar tube). This proposal is

prompted by an in-service report of

fatigue cracks that initiated from

corrosion pits. The actions specified by

the proposed AD are intended to

prevent fatigue failure of the spar tube,

separation and impact of the horizontal

stabilizer with the main or tail rotor and

subsequent loss of control of the

helicopter.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before May 21, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Office of the

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–SW–02–

AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,

Fort Worth, Texas 76137. 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

American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701

Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas

75053–4005, telephone (972) 641–3460,

fax (972) 641–3527. This information

may be examined at the FAA, Office of

the Regional Counsel, Southwest

Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room

663, Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Richard Monschke, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft

Standards Staff, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,

Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone

(817) 222–5116, fax (817) 222–5961.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such