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

27870

Vol. 63, No. 98

Thursday, May 21, 1998

NUCLEAR REGULATORY

COMMISSION

10 CFR Part 70

Public Meeting on Part 70 Rulemaking

Activities

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory

Commission (NRC).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: NRC will host a public

meeting in Rockville, Maryland to

discuss issues associated with NRC 10

CFR Part 70 rulemaking activities. This

meeting will provide information on the

status of staff activities consistent with

Commission direction in a Staff

Requirements Memorandum (SRM)

dated August 26, 1997.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for

May 28, 1998 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00

p.m. The meeting is open to the public.

Persons who wish to attend the meeting

should contact Jim Hennigan at (301)

415–6850 at least one week prior to the

meeting.

ADDRESSES: NRC’s auditorium at Two

White Flint North, 11545 Rockville

Pike, Rockville, Maryland. Visitor

parking around the NRC building is

limited; however, the meeting site is

located adjacent to the White Flint

Station on the Metro Red Line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lidia Roche ́, Office of Nuclear Material

Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear

Regulatory Commission, Washington,

DC 20555, telephone: (301) 415–7830,

fax: (301) 415–5390, e-mail:

lar2@nrc.gov. Copies of the documents

referred to above can be obtained from

the NRC public document room. In

addition, you can view SECY–97–137

via the Internet at http://www.nrc.gov/

NRC/COMMISSION/activities.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

purpose of the meeting is to provide

information on the status of NRC staff

activities pertaining to the revision of 10

CFR Part 70. The focus of the

rulemaking under development is on

the features recommended in SECY–97–

137, ‘‘Proposed Resolution to Petition

for Rulemaking Filed by the Nuclear

Energy Institute’’ (June 30, 1997) which

was approved by the Commission in an

SRM dated August 26, 1997. The basic

elements of the rule under development

are 1) the performance of an Integrated

Safety Analysis (ISA) by licensees

authorized to possess Special Nuclear

Material (SNM) in quantities sufficient

to constitute a potential for a nuclear

criticality; 2) the establishment of limits

to identify the adverse consequences

that the licensee must protect against; 3)

the inclusion of the safety bases in the

license; and 4) allowance for licensees

to make certain change to their facilities

without prior approval by NRC.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 15th day

of May, 1998.

For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Elizabeth Q. Ten Eyck,

Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and

Safeguards.

[FR Doc. 98–13556 Filed 5–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7590–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–CE–07–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks

Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG–400

Gliders

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 all GlaserDirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (Glaser-Dirks)

Model DG–400 gliders. The proposed

action would require replacing the

propeller shaft, the bearings, and the

front drive belt retaining rings with ones

of improved design. 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

failure of the propeller shaft, which

could result in loss of glider propulsion

during critical phases of flight.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before June 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–CE–07–

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

Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH, Im

Schollengarten 19–20, 7520 Bruchsal 4,

Germany; telephone: +49 7257–89–0;

facsimile: +49 7257–8922. This

information also may be examined at

the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,

Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service, 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
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules 27871

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket No. 98–CE–07–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–07–AD, Room 1558,

601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri

64106.

Discussion

The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA),

which is the airworthiness authority for

Germany, recently notified the FAA that

an unsafe condition may exist on all

Glaser-Dirks Model DG–400 gliders. The

LBA reports that the propeller shafts

installed on some of these Model DG–

400 gliders have failed during flight. An

LBA investigation of these incidents

showed that the propeller shaft

currently installed had a torque

tensioning problem which was causing

the shaft to rotate. In some cases, the

propeller drive belt damaged the front

retaining rings and came off the upper

pulley, which also damaged the

propeller.

These conditions, if not corrected,

could result in loss of propulsion during

critical phases of flight.

Relevant Service Information

DG Flugzeugbau has issued Technical

Note No. 826/32, dated July 19, 1996,

and DG Flugzeugbau WORKING

INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/32,

dated July, 1996, which specifies

procedures for replacing the propeller

shaft, the bearings, and the front drive

belt retaining rings with parts of

improved design.

The LBA classified this service

bulletin as mandatory and issued

German AD 96–243 DG Flugzeugbau,

dated August 29, 1996, in order to

assure the continued airworthiness of

these gliders in Germany.

The FAA’s Determination

This glider 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 Glaser-Dirks Model

DG–400 gliders of the same type design

registered in the United States, the FAA

is proposing AD action. The proposed

AD would require replacing the

propeller shaft, the bearings, and the

front drive belt retaining rings with

parts of improved design.

Accomplishment of the proposed action

would be in accordance with DG

Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/

32, dated July 19, 1996, and DG

Flugzeugbau WORKING INSTRUCTION

No. 1 for TN 826/32, dated July, 1996.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 35 gliders in

the U.S. registry would be affected by

the proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 5 workhours per glider to

accomplish the proposed action, and

that the average labor rate is

approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost

approximately $460 per glider. Based on

these figures, the total cost impact of the

proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $266,000, or $760 per

glider.

Proposed 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 glider

ranges throughout the fleet. For

example, one owner may operate the

glider 25 hours TIS in one week, while

another operator may operate the glider

25 hours TIS in one year. In order to

ensure that all of the owners/operators

of the affected glider have replaced the

propeller shaft, bearings and front drive

belt retaining rings within a reasonable

amount of time, the FAA is proposing

a compliance time of 4 calendar months.

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 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:

Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Docket

No. 98–CE–07–AD.

Applicability: Model DG–400 gliders, all

serial numbers, certificated in any

category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each glider

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

gliders 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 4

calendar months after the effective date of

this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent failure of the propeller shaft,

which could result in loss of glider

propulsion during critical phases of flight,

accomplish the following:

(a) Replace the propeller shaft, the

bearings, and the front drive belt retaining

rings with parts of improved design in
27872 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 98 /Thursday, May 21, 1998 / Proposed Rules

accordance with paragraph 2 of the

Instructions section of DG Flugzeugbau

Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July 19,

1996, and WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1

for TN 826/32, dated July, 1996.

(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 glider 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, 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 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Small Airplane

Directorate.

(d) Questions or technical information

related to DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note

No. 826/32, dated July 19, 1996, and DG

Flugzeugbau WORKING INSTRUCTION No.

1 for TN 826/32, dated July, 1996, should be

directed to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, P.O. Box

4120, 76625 Bruchsal, Germany; telephone:

+49 7257–89–0; facsimile: +49 7257–8922.

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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in German AD 96–243 DG–Flugzeugbau,

dated August 29, 1996.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May

13, 1998.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–13518 Filed 5–20–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–CE–21–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Mitsubishi

Heavy Industries, Ltd. Models MU–2B

Series Airplanes

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

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

(Mitsubishi) MU–2B series airplanes.

The proposed action would require

incorporating several modifications to

the operating systems and installing a

placard with operating limitations

within the pilot’s clear view. Service

history of the affected airplanes

prompted the FAA to examine the

design of these airplanes and analyze

the ability of the pilots of these

airplanes to fly and operate in icing

conditions. The actions specified by the

proposed AD are intended to prevent

departure from controlled flight and to

assist the pilot in detecting ice

accumulation on the airplane when

flying in icing conditions that exceed

the airplane’s ice protection capability,

which could result in possible loss of

control of the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before July 22, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–CE–21–

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

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America,

Inc., 15303 Dallas Parkway, suite 685,

LB–77, Dallas, Texas 75248; telephone

(972) 980–5001; facsimile (972) 980–

5091. This information also may be

examined at the Rules Docket at the

address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

John Dow, Aerospace Engineer, Small

Airplane Directorate, 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. 97–CE–21–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. 97–CE–21–AD, Room 1558,

601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri

64106.

Discussion

Service history of the Mitsubishi MU–

2B series airplanes prompted the FAA

to examine the design of these airplanes

and analyze the ability of the pilots of

these airplanes to fly and operate in

icing conditions. The FAA recently

conducted a special certification review

(SCR) for the Mitsubishi MU–2B series

airplanes. This examination shows that

several accidents have occurred, and

that future accidents/incidents may be

prevented by modifications to the

airplane design and by additional

training to enhance the pilot’s ability to

manage the airplane in adverse

operating conditions. The training

issues were addressed in AD 97–20–14.

Indications are that the pilot is not

detecting or properly interpreting the

visual cues of ice build-up on the

airframe. The pilots of the airplanes

involved in the accidents did not exit

the icing conditions, but instead, relied

on the autopilot to fly the airplane. In

these accidents, the airplanes stalled

while on autopilot, which resulted in

departure from controlled flight into a

spin or near vertical spiral until ground

contact was made.

Explanation of Departure From

Controlled Flight

Airplanes that fly in these severe icing

conditions, although infrequently

encountered, can accumulate ice

formations that increase drag quickly

and raise stall speeds significantly.

Combining these elements with a loss of

airspeed can cause aerodynamic flow

separation or stall on one or both wings.

This stall can result in an uncontrolled