3458 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 15 / Friday, January 23, 1998 / Rules and Regulations

(j) This amendment (39–10287) becomes

effective on February 2, 1998, to all persons

except those persons to whom it was made

immediately effective by priority letter AD

98–01–01, issued December 22, 1997, which

contained the requirements of this

amendment.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January

12, 1998.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–1297 Filed 1–22–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–335–AD; Amendment

39–10288; AD 98–02–06]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing

Model 777–200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain Boeing Model 777–

200 series airplanes. This action

requires repetitive visual inspections to

determine the presence and condition of

the nut and cotter pin of the lock link

mechanism on the side struts and drag

struts on the main landing gear (MLG);

and corrective action, if necessary. This

amendment is prompted by reports of

missing or damaged components on the

lock link mechanism. The actions

specified in this AD are intended to

prevent failure of the lock link

mechanism to lock the MLG in the

down position, and consequent collapse

of the MLG during ground operation.

DATES: Effective February 9, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of February 9,

1998.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

March 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

335–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

The service information referenced in

this AD 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; or at the Office of

the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan

Wood, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe

Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2772;

fax (425) 227–1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Boeing

has advised the FAA of the recent

discovery of discrepancies of the lock

link mechanism on the side struts and

drag struts on the main landing gear

(MLG) on several Model 777–200 series

airplanes. The discrepancies included

missing cotter pins, a missing cotter pin

and nut with the bolt migrating out of

the joint, and a cotter pin migrating

from the bolt end through the nut. Such

discrepancies, if not corrected, could

result in failure of the lock link

mechanism to lock the MLG in the

down position, and consequent collapse

of the MLG during ground operation.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–

32A0015, dated September 4, 1997,

which describes procedures for

repetitive visual inspections to

determine the presence and condition of

the nut and cotter pin of the lock link

mechanism on the side struts and drag

struts on the left- and right-hand MLG.

The alert service bulletin also describes

procedures for corrective action for

missing or damaged parts.

Explanation of the Requirements of the

Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other Boeing Model 777–200

series airplanes of the same type design,

this AD requires accomplishment of the

actions specified in the alert service

bulletin described previously.

Interim Action

This is considered to be interim

action until final action is identified, at

which time the FAA may consider

further rulemaking.

Determination of Rule’s Effective Date

Since a situation exists that requires

the immediate adoption of this

regulation, it is found that notice and

opportunity for prior public comment

hereon are impracticable, and that good

cause exists for making this amendment

effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule that involves requirements

affecting flight safety and, thus, was not

preceded by notice and an opportunity

for public comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this 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

under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before

the closing date for comments will be

considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that

supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the 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 AD

will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must

submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 97–NM–335–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

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 final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and that it is not a ‘‘significant

regulatory action’’ under Executive
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 15 / Friday, January 23, 1998 / Rules and Regulations 3459

Order 12866. It has been determined

further that this action involves an

emergency regulation under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is

determined that this emergency

regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared

and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy

of it, if filed, may be obtained from the

Rules Docket at the location provided

under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Incorporation by reference,

Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration amends 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:

98–02–06 Boeing: Amendment 39–10288.

Docket 97–NM–335–AD.

Applicability: Model 777–200 series

airplanes, line positions 1 through 40

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

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 failure of the lock link

mechanism to lock the main landing gear

(MLG) in the down position, and consequent

collapse of the MLG during ground

operation, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 30 days after the effective date

of this AD, perform a visual inspection to

determine the presence and condition of the

cotter pin and nut of the lock link

mechanism on the side struts and drag struts

on the left- and right-hand MLG, in

accordance with Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin 777–32A0015, dated September 4,

1997. If any discrepancy is found, prior to

further flight, correct the discrepancy in

accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat

the inspection therafter at intervals not to

exceed 75 days or 400 flight cycles,

whichever occurs first.

(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.

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance

with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777–

32A0015, dated September 4, 1997. This

incorporation by reference was approved by

the Director of the Federal Register in

accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR

part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing

Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707,

Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. Copies may

be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite

700, Washington, DC.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on

February 9, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January

15, 1998.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–1543 Filed 1–22–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Economic Analysis

15 CFR Part 806

[Docket No. 970918231–7231–01]

RIN 0691–AA29

Direct Investment Surveys: BE–12,

Benchmark Survey of Foreign Direct

Investment in the United States—1997

AGENCY: Bureau of Economic Analysis,

Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: These final rules revise 15

CFR 806.17 to set forth reporting

requirements for the BE–12, Benchmark

Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in

the United States—1997, and to delete

the rules now in 15 CFR 806.17, which

were for the last benchmark survey

covering 1992.

The BE–12 benchmark survey is

conducted by the Bureau of Economic

Analysis (BEA), U.S. Department of

Commerce, under Section 3103(b) of the

International Investment and Trade in

Services Survey Act, which requires

that a benchmark survey of foreign

direct investment in the United States

be conducted every five years. The last

benchmark survey was conducted for

1992. The benchmark survey will obtain

universe data on the financial and

operating characteristics of, and on

positions and transactions between, U.S.

affiliates and their foreign parents. The

data from the quinquennial survey will

provide benchmarks for deriving current

universe estimates of foreign direct

investment from sample data collected

in other BEA surveys in nonbenchmark

years. The data are needed to measure

the economic significance of foreign

direct investment in the United States,

measure changes in such investment,

assess its impact on the U.S. economy,

and based upon this assessment, make

informed policy decisions regarding

foreign direct investment in the United

States. They are also required for

compiling the U.S. international

transactions, input-output, and national

income and product accounts, and for

preparing estimates of the international

investment position of the United

States.

Key changes from the previous

benchmark survey include reducing

respondent burden, particularly for

small companies, by: increasing the

exemption level for reporting on the

survey to $3 million (measured by the

company’s total assets, sales, or net

income) from $1 million in the 1992

survey; increasing the exemption level

at which reporting on the long form

version of the survey is required from

$50 million to $100 million; and

requiring reporting companies with

assets, sales, or net income between $3

million and $30 million to report only

selected data items on the short form

version. In addition, the survey bases

industry coding of reporting companies

on the new North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) in place

of the previous system which was based

on the U.S. Standard Industrial

Classification system; it collects new

information on affiliated services

transactions by type of service; and it

modifies the detail collected on the