Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 102 /Thursday, May 28, 1998 / Proposed Rules 29159

(2) For airplanes that have accumulated

15,000 or more total flight cycles as of the

effective date of this AD: Inspect within 60

days after the effective date of this AD.

(c) If any crack is detected during the

inspection required by paragraph (b) of this

AD, prior to further flight, rework the NLG

main fitting in accordance with MessierDowty Service Bulletin F100–32–92, dated

November 14, 1997.

(d) Within 7 days after accomplishing the

inspection required by either paragraph (a) or

(b) of this AD, submit a report of the

inspection results (both positive and negative

findings) to Fokker Services B.V., Technical

Support Department, P.O. Box 75047, 1117

ZN Schiphol Airport, the Netherlands.

Information collection requirements

contained in this regulation have been

approved by the Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C.

3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB

Control Number 2120–0056.

(e) 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 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch,

ANM–116.

(f) 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Dutch airworthiness directive BLA 1997–

116 (A), dated November 28, 1997.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20,

1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–14038 Filed 5–27–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–CE–112–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus

Britten-Norman Ltd. BN–2, BN–2A, BN–

2B, and BN–2T Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of

proposed rulemaking (NPRM);

Reopening of the comment period.

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

revise an earlier proposed airworthiness

directive (AD) that would have required

replacing the washers on the attachment

bolts of the lower fitting of the main

landing gear (MLG) on certain Pilatus

Britten-Norman Ltd. (Pilatus BrittenNorman) BN–2, BN–2A, BN–2B, and

BN–2T series airplanes. The proposed

AD was the result of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information

(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness

authority for the United Kingdom. The

actions specified by the proposed AD

are intended to prevent the bolts that

attach the lower fitting of the MLG to

the nacelle from becoming threadbound,

which could result in structural failure

of the MLG with consequent loss of

control of the airplane during takeoff,

taxi, or landing operations. Since

issuing the NPRM, the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) has realized that

the Model BN–2T–4R airplanes were

inadvertently omitted from the

proposed AD. In addition, Pilatus

Britten-Norman has revised the service

information to include replacing the

attachment bolts and nuts of the lower

fitting of the MLG instead of re-using

the existing bolts and nuts. This service

information also adjusts the torque

values of the nuts. The FAA has

determined that the procedures

included in the revised service

information should be incorporated into

the proposed AD, and that the comment

period for the proposal should be

reopened and the public should have

additional time to comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before July 3, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the FAA, Central Region,

Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–CE–

112–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

Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited,

Bembridge, Isle of Wight, United

Kingdom PO35 5PR; telephone: 44–1983

872511; facsimile: 44–1983 873246.

This information also may be examined

at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.

Roger Chudy, Aerospace Engineer,

Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite

900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;

telephone: (816) 426–6932; 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

supplemental 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

supplemental notice must submit a selfaddressed, stamped postcard on which

the following statement is made:

‘‘Comments to Docket No. 97–CE–112–

AD.’’ The postcard will be date stamped

and returned to the commenter.

Availability of Supplemental NPRM’s

Any person may obtain a copy of this

supplemental NPRM by submitting a

request to the FAA, Central Region,

Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–CE–

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

Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

A proposal to amend part 39 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

part 39) to include an AD that would

apply to certain Pilatus Britten-Norman

BN–2, BN–2A, BN–2B, and BN–2T

series airplanes was published in the

Federal Register as a notice of proposed

rulemaking (NPRM) on March 19, 1998

(63 FR 13379). The NPRM proposed to

require replacing the washers on the

attachment bolts of the lower fitting of

the MLG. Accomplishment of the

proposed action as specified in the

NPRM would be in accordance with

Pilatus Britten-Norman Service Bulletin

BN–2/SB.231, Initial Issue, dated

October 17, 1996.
29160 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 102 /Thursday, May 28, 1998 / Proposed Rules

The NPRM was the result of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for the United

Kingdom.

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. No

comments were received on the

proposed rule or the FAA’s

determination of the cost to the public.

Events Since Issuance of the NPRM

Since issuance of the NPRM, Pilatus

Britten-Norman has informed the FAA

that Service Bulletin BN–2/SB.231 has

been revised to the Issue 2 status (dated

October 1, 1997). This revision changes

the procedures to specify replacing the

attachment bolts and nuts of the lower

fitting of the MLG instead of re-using

the existing bolts and nuts. This service

information also adjusts the torque

loading values of the bolts.

In addition, the FAA has realized that

the Model BN–2T–4R airplanes were

inadvertently omitted from the

proposed AD. The Model BN–2T–4R

airplanes are of similar type design to

those currently listed in the NPRM.

The FAA’s Determination

After examining all information

related to the subject described in this

document, the FAA has determined

that:

—The revised service information

should be incorporated into the

proposed AD;

—The unsafe condition could exist or

develop on the Model BN–2T–4R

airplanes and should be part of the

applicability of the NPRM; and

—AD action should be taken to

incorporate these changes to prevent

the bolts that attach the lower fitting

of the MLG to the nacelle from

becoming threadbound, which could

result in structural failure of the MLG

with consequent loss of control of the

airplane during takeoff, taxi, or

landing operations.

The Supplemental NPRM

Since replacing the attachment bolts

and nuts of the lower fitting of the MLG,

adjusting the torque values of these

bolts, and adding the Model BN–2T–4R

airplanes to the Applicability of the

NPRM proposes actions that go beyond

the scope of what was already proposed,

the FAA is reopening the comment

period to allow the public additional

time to comment on this proposed

action.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 80 airplanes

in the U.S. registry would be affected by

the proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 3 workhours per airplane

to accomplish the proposed action, and

that the average labor rate is

approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost

approximately $10 per airplane. Based

on these figures, the total cost impact of

the proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $15,200.

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:

Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd: Docket No. 97–

CE–112–AD. Applicability: Models BN–

2, BN–2A, BN–2A–3, BN–2A–6, BN–2A–

8, BN–2A–2, BN–2A–9, BN–2A–20, BN–

2A–21, BN–2A–26, BN–2A–27, BN–2B–

20, BN–2B–21, BN–2B–26, BN–2B–27,

BN–2T, and BN–2T–4R airplanes (all

serial numbers), 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 50

landings after the effective date of this AD,

unless already accomplished.

Note 2: The compliance time of this AD is

presented in landings instead of hours timein-service (TIS). If the number of landings is

unknown, hours TIS may be used by

multiplying the number of hours TIS by 1.5.

To prevent the bolts that attach the lower

fitting of the main landing gear (MLG) to the

nacelle from becoming threadbound, which

could result in structural failure of the MLG

with consequent loss of control of the

airplane during takeoff, taxi, or landing

operations, accomplish the following:

(a) Replace the attachment bolts, nuts, and

washers of the lower fitting of the MLG, in

accordance with Pilatus Britten-Norman

Service Bulletin No. BN–2/SB.231, Issue 2,

dated October 1, 1997.

(b) 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 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, Small Airplane

Directorate, 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.

(d) Questions or technical information

related to Pilatus Britten-Norman Service

Bulletin BN–2/SB.231, Issue 2, dated October
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 102 /Thursday, May 28, 1998 / Proposed Rules 29161

1, 1997, should be directed to Pilatus BrittenNorman Limited, Bembridge, Isle of Wight,

United Kingdom PO35 5PR; telephone: 44–

1983 872511; facsimile: 44–1983 873246.

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 British AD No. 008–10–96, dated January

31, 1997.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May

21, 1998.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–14081 Filed 5–27–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98–AGL–27]

Proposed Establishment of Class E

Airspace; Waupun, WI

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to

establish Class E airspace at Waupun,

WI. A Global Positioning System (GPS)

Standard Instrument Approach

Procedure (SIAP), 102° helicopter point

in space approach, has been developed

for Waupun Memorial Hospital

Heliport. Controlled airspace extending

upward from 700 to 1200 feet above

ground level (AGL) is needed to contain

aircraft executing the approach. This

action proposes to create controlled

airspace with a radius of 6.0 miles for

the point in space serving Waupun

Memorial Hospital Heliport.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before July 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments on the

proposal in triplicate to: Federal

Aviation Administration, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, AGL–7, Rules

Docket No. 98–AGL–27, 2300 East

Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois

60018.

The official docket may be examined

in the Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, Federal Aviation

Administration, 2300 East Devon

Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois. An

informal docket may also be examined

during normal business hours at the Air

Traffic Division, Airspace Branch,

Federal Aviation Administration, 2300

East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines,

Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michelle M. Behm, Air Traffic Division,

Airspace Branch, AGL–520, Federal

Aviation Administration, 2300 East

Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois

60018, telephone (847) 294–7568.

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.

Comments 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 number 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. 98–

AGL–27.’’ The postcard will be date/

time stamped and returned to the

commenter. All communications

received on or 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 comments received. All comments

submitted will be available for

examination in the Rules Docket, FAA,

Great Lakes Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, 2300 East

Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois,

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 NPRM’s

Any person may obtain a copy of this

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

by submitting a request to the Federal

Aviation Administration, Office of

Public Affairs, Attention: Public Inquiry

Center, APA–230, 800 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20591, or

by calling (202) 267–3484.

Communications must identify the

notice number of this NPRM. Persons

interested in being placed on a mailing

list for future NPRM’s should also

request a copy of Advisory Circular No.

11–2A, which describes the application

procedure.

The Proposal

The FAA is considering an

amendment to 14 CFR part 71 to

establish Class E airspace at Waupun,

WI, to accommodate aircraft executing

the proposed GPS SIAP, 102° helicopter

point in space approach, for Waupun

Memorial Hospital Heliport by creating

controlled airspace. Controlled airspace

extending upward from 700 to 1200 feet

AGL is needed to contain aircraft

executing the approach. The area would

be depicted on appropriate aeronautical

charts. Class E airspace designations for

airspace areas extending upward from

700 feet or more above the surface of the

earth are published in paragraph 6005 of

FAA Order 7400.9E dated September

10, 1997, and effective September 16,

1997, which is incorporated by

reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class E

airspace designation listed in this

document would be published

subsequently in the Order.

The FAA has determined that this

proposed regulation only involves an

established body of technical

regulations for which frequent and

routine amendments are necessary to

keep them operationally current.

Therefore this, proposed regulation—(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)

does not warrant preparation of a

Regulatory Evaluation as the anticipated

impact is so minimal. Since this is a

routine matter that will only affect air

traffic procedures and air navigation, it

is certified that this proposed rule will

not have a significant economic impact

on a substantial number of small entities

under the criteria of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

Airspace, Incorporation by reference,

Navigation (air).

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me, the Federal

Aviation Administration proposes to

amend 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,

CLASS B, CLASS C, CLASS D, AND

CLASS E AIRSPACE AREAS;

AIRWAYS; ROUTES; AND REPORTING

POINTS

1. The authority citation for part 71

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113,

40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–

1963 Comp., p. 389.