27514 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 96 /Tuesday, May 19, 1998 / Proposed Rules

1. The authority citation for 7 CFR

parts 273 and 274 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2011–2032.

PART 273—CERTIFICATION OF

ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS

2. In § 273.13, a new paragraph

(a)(3)(vii) is added to read as follows:

§ 273.13 Notice of adverse action.

(a) * * *

(3) * * *

(vii) An EBT system-error has

occurred during the redemption

process, resulting in an out-of-balance

settlement condition. The State agency

shall adjust the benefit in accordance

with § 274.12 of this chapter.

* * * * *

3. In § 273.15, the fourth sentence of

paragraph (k)(1) is revised and three

new sentences are added after the fourth

sentence to read as follows:

§ 273.15 Fair hearings.

* * * * *

(k) Continuation of benefits.

(1) * * * If the State agency action is

upheld by the hearing decision, a claim

against the household shall be

established for all overissuances except

in the case of an EBT adjustment, in

which case another adjustment (debit)

shall be made immediately to the

household’s account for the total

amount erroneously credited when the

fair hearing was requested. If there are

no benefits remaining in the

household’s account at the time the

State agency action is upheld, the State

agency shall make the adjustment from

the next month’s benefits. If the

household is no longer receiving

benefits at the time of the fair hearing

decision, the State agency is under no

further obligation to recover the debt.

An adjustment shall not be done if the

affected retailer is no longer on the EBT

system. * * *

* * * * *

PART 274—ISSUANCE AND USE OF

COUPONS

4. In § 274.12:

a. Paragraph (f)(4) is revised;

b. Paragraph (f)(7)(iii) is amended by

removing the second sentence;

c. Paragraph (l) introductory text is

redesignated as the first sentence of

paragraph (l)(1) introductory text;

d. Paragraph (l)(1) introductory text is

amended by redesignating the last

sentence as the introductory text of

paragraph (l);

e. Paragraph (l)(1)(iii) is revised;

f. Paragraphs (l)(2), (l)(3), (l)(4), and

(l)(5) are redesignated as (l)(3), (l)(4),

(l)(5), and (l)(6); and

g. A new paragraph (l)(2) is added.

The revisions and additions read as

follows:

§ 274.12 Electronic Benefit Transfer

system issuance approval standards.

* * * * *

(f) Household participation * * *

(4) Issuance of benefits. State agencies

shall establish an availability date for

household access to their benefits and

inform households of this date.

(i) The State agency may make

adjustments to benefits posted to

household accounts after the posting

process is complete but prior to the

availability date for household access in

the event benefits are erroneously

posted.

(ii) A State may make adjustments to

an account after the availability date

only to correct an auditable, out-ofbalance settlement condition that occurs

during the redemption process as a

result of a system error.

(A) Adjustments shall be made no

later than 5 business days after the outof-balance condition occurred.

(B) Adjustments shall not be made

against a future month’s benefit. If there

are sufficient benefits remaining to

cover only part of the adjustment, the

adjustment may be made with the

remaining balance.

(C) The household must be given, at

a minimum, adequate notice in

accordance with § 273.13 of this

chapter.

(D) Should the household dispute the

adjustment, the benefits must be recredited to the household’s account

pending resolution.

(E) Should a State agency wish to

process an adjustment against future

month benefits, such an action shall be

in accordance with re-presentation

procedures found in paragraph (l) of this

section.

(iii) The appropriate management

controls and procedures for accessing

benefit accounts after the posting shall

be instituted to ensure that no

unauthorized adjustments are made in

accordance with paragraph (f)(7)(iii) of

this section.

* * * * *

(l) Re-presentation. * * *

(1) * * *

(iii) The State agency may debit the

benefit allotment of a household

following the insufficient funds

transaction in any amount which equals

at least $10 or up to 10% of the

transaction. This amount will be

deducted monthly until the total owed

is paid. State agencies may opt to represent at a level that is less than the

10% maximum, however, this lesser

amount must be applied to all

households.

(2) When a system-error has resulted

in an out-of-balance condition at

settlement, and the State agency is

unable to recover an erroneous credit as

an adjustment, a re-presentation may be

made as follows:

(i) the state agency shall debit the

benefit allotment of a household

monthly in an amount equal to at least

$10 or up to 10% of the allotment until

the re-presentation is completely paid.

(ii) notice shall be provided prior to

the month re-presentation occurs and

shall state the amount of the reduction

in the benefit allotment.

* * * * *

Dated: May 12, 1998.

George A. Braley,

Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition

Service.

[FR Doc. 98–13227 Filed 5–18–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–30–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–CE–05–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Alexander

Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau Model

ASW–19 Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

adopt a new airworthiness directive

(AD) that would apply to certain

Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau

(Alexander Schleicher) Model ASW–19

sailplanes. The proposed action would

require inspecting the tow release cable

guide fittings for the correct mounting,

and, if the fittings are mounted in the

front of the bulkhead, moving the fitting

to the rear of the bulkhead. The

proposed AD is the result of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information

(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness

authority for Germany. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are

intended to prevent premature release of

the tow cable during take-off, which

could result in loss of the sailplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before June 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 96 /Tuesday, May 19, 1998 / Proposed Rules 27515

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–CE–05–

AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments

may be inspected at this location

between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday

through Friday, holidays excepted.

Service information that applies to the

proposed AD may be obtained from

Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau,

6416 Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe,

Federal Republic of Germany. This

information also may be examined at

the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, Sailplanes/

Gliders, Small Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service, FAA,

1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426–

6934; facsimile: (816) 426–2169.

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 that

summarizes 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–CE–05–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, Central Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 98–CE–05–AD, Room 1558,

601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri

64106.

Discussion

The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA),

which is the airworthiness authority for

Germany, notified the FAA that an

unsafe condition may exist on certain

Alexander Schleicher Model ASW–19

sailplanes. The LBA reports that some of

the older Model ASW–19 sailplanes

were designed with the tow release

cable mounted on the front side of the

bulkhead per the type design. The LBA

has received reports of premature

release during towing operations on

these Model ASW–19 sailplanes. This

inadvertent release is occurring when

the tow release cable guide is properly

adjusted in the rear position, but is

secured to the front of the bulkhead.

This condition, if not corrected, could

result in premature release of the

sailplane’s tow cable during take-off

operations with a possible loss of

sailplane controllability.

Relevant Service Information

Alexander Schleicher has issued

Technical Note No. 18, dated July 3,

1984, which specifies procedures for

inspecting the cable guide release fitting

for the correct bulkhead mounting. If the

cable guide release fitting is mounted on

the front of the bulkhead, the service

information specifies procedures for

moving the cable guide release fitting to

the rear of the bulkhead and then

adjusting the cable’s neutral travel.

The LBA classified this service

bulletin as mandatory and issued

German AD 84–115, dated July 16, 1984,

in order to assure the continued

airworthiness of these sailplanes in

Germany.

The FAA’s Determination

This sailplane model is manufactured

in Germany 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 LBA has kept the FAA informed of

the situation described above.

The FAA has examined the findings

of the LBA; reviewed all available

information, including the service

information referenced above; and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the

Proposed AD

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop in other Alexander Schleicher

Model ASW–19 sailplanes of the same

type design registered in the United

States, the FAA is proposing AD action.

The proposed AD would require

inspecting the tow release cable guide

fitting for the proper location on the

bulkhead. If the cable guide release

fitting is mounted on the front of the

bulkhead, the proposed AD would

require removing the cable guide release

fitting, remounting it on the rear of the

bulkhead, and adjusting the cable’s

neutral travel. Accomplishment of the

proposed actions would be in

accordance with Alexander Schleicher

Technical Note No. 18, dated July 3,

1984.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 100 sailplanes

in the U.S. registry would be affected by

the proposed AD.

Accomplishing the proposed

inspection would take approximately 1

workhour per sailplane, at an average

labor rate of approximately $60 an hour.

Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the proposed inspection on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,000,

or $60 per sailplane.

The proposed modification would

take approximately 2 workhours, at an

average labor rate of $60 per hour. Parts

cost approximately $20 per sailplane.

Based on these figures, the total cost

impact of the proposed modification on

U.S. operators is estimated to be

$14,000, or $140 per sailplane.

Compliance Time

The compliance time of the proposed

AD is in calendar time instead of hours

time-in-service (TIS). The average

monthly usage of the affected sailplane

ranges throughout the fleet. For

example, one owner may operate the

sailplane 25 hours TIS in one week,

while another operator may operate the

sailplane 25 hours TIS in one year. In

order to ensure that all of the owners/

operators of the affected sailplane have

inspected the mount location of the tow

release cable guide fitting within a

reasonable amount of time, the FAA is

proposing a compliance time of 90 days.

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,
27516 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 96 /Tuesday, May 19, 1998 / Proposed Rules

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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau:

Docket No. 98–CE–05–AD.

Applicability: Model ASW–19 sailplanes,

serial numbers 19001 through 19405,

certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane

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

sailplanes 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 (e) 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 90

days after the effective date of this AD, unless

already accomplished.

To prevent premature release of the tow

cable during take-off, which could result in

loss of the sailplane, accomplish the

following:

(a) Inspect the tow release cable guide

fittings for front or rear mount on the

bulkhead of the sailplane in accordance with

the Actions section in Alexander Schleicher

Technical Note (TN) No. 18, dated July 3,

1984.

Note 2: It is recommended that the

maintenance manual pages called out in the

INSTRUCTIONS section of Alexander

Schleicher TN No. 18 be exchanged with the

current pages in the maintenance manual.

(b) If the cable guide fitting is mounted on

the front of the bulkhead, prior to further

flight, remove the fitting and remount the

cable guide fitting on the rear of the bulkhead

in accordance with the Actions section in

Alexander Schleicher TN No. 18, dated July

3, 1984.

(c) After remounting the cable fitting, prior

to further flight, check the neutral travel of

the cable and adjust if necessary, in

accordance with the Actions section in

Alexander Schleicher TN No. 18, dated July

3, 1984.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199

of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the sailplane

to a location where the requirements of this

AD can be accomplished.

(e) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an equivalent level of safety may be

approved by the Manager, Small Airplane

Directorate, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,

Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request

shall be forwarded through an appropriate

FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the Manager,

Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Small Airplane

Directorate.

(f) Questions or technical information

related to Alexander Schleicher Technical

Note No. 18, dated July 3, 1984, should be

directed to Alexander Schleicher

Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen,

Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany;

telephone: 49.6658.890 or 49.6658.8920;

facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or 49.6658.8940.

This service information may be examined at

the FAA, Central Region, Office of the

Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th

Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed

in German AD No. 84–115, dated July 16,

1984.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May

11, 1998.

Marvin R. Nuss,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–13198 Filed 5–18–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–NM–78–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

repetitive inspections to detect cracking

of the doubler angle and discrepancies

of the fasteners that connect the doubler

angle and the bottom panel of the center

wing box, and corrective actions, if

necessary. 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

fatigue cracking in the doubler angle

and discrepancies of the fasteners that

connect the doubler angle and the

bottom panel of the center wing box.

Such cracking and discrepancies could

result in reduced structural integrity of

the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by

June 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–NM–

78–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: