Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 131 /Thursday, July 9, 1998 / Proposed Rules 37083

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–NM–141–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives;

Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.

(CASA) Model C–212 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 all

CASA Model C–212 series airplanes.

This proposal would require repetitive

visual inspections for damage or

‘‘electrical spark marks’’ on the cover

plates for the fuel pumps, and corrective

actions, if necessary. This proposal also

would require modification of the fuel

pump installation by incorporating a

non-conductive film on the cover plate,

which would constitute terminating

action for this AD. 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 prevent electrical

shorting between the fuel pump

electrical connections and the fuel

pump cover plate, which could result in

the ignition of fuel vapor, and

consequent fuel tank explosion/fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–NM–

141–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

Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.,

Getafe, Madrid, Spain. 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:

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 shall

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 Number 98–NM–141–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, Transport Airplane Directorate,

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket No.

98–NM–141–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Direccio ́n General de Aviacio ́n

(DGAC), which is the airworthiness

authority for Spain, notified the FAA

that an unsafe condition may exist on

all CASA Model C–212 series airplanes.

The DGAC advises that an operator of

this airplane model discovered

‘‘electrical spark marks’’ on several fuel

pump cover plates, which indicated that

electrical shorting was occurring. The

main fuel pump cover plates had

sustained the most damage, while the

auxiliary fuel pump cover plates were

only slightly damaged. The most severe

damage involved the discoloration and

deformation of the outer surface of the

cover plate. Additionally, the isolated

bushing for the positive screw was

damaged, and ‘‘electrical spark marks’’

were also found between the positive

screw and the fuel pump cartridge

surface. Since other airplanes of this

type design that are equipped with this

particular pump and cover may be

subject to such damage, an inspection of

the affected area is warranted. Such

electrical shorting between the fuel

pump electrical connections and the

fuel pump cover plate, if not corrected,

could result in the ignition of fuel

vapor, and consequent fuel tank

explosion/fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued CASA

Maintenance Instructions COM 212–

252, Revision 0, dated July 15, 1996.

This document describes procedures for

repetitive visual inspections for damage

or ‘‘electrical spark marks’’ on the cover

plates for the fuel pumps, and corrective

actions, if necessary. The corrective

actions include inspections for

overheating of wires, and for additional

‘‘electrical spark marks’’ between the

positive screw terminal and the

surrounding cartridge or pump face

body; and modification of the cover

plate to incorporate a non-conductive

film. Such modification would

eliminate the need for the repetitive

inspections described previously.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the maintenance

instructions is intended to adequately

address the identified unsafe condition.

The DGAC classified these maintenance

instructions as mandatory and issued

Spanish airworthiness directive 10/96,

dated November 5, 1996, in order to

assure the continued airworthiness of

these airplanes in Spain.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in Spain 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 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.

Explanation of Requirements of

Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other airplanes of the same

type design registered in the United

States, the proposed AD would require

accomplishment of the actions specified
37084 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 131 /Thursday, July 9, 1998 / Proposed Rules

in the maintenance instructions

described previously, except as

discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and

Foreign AD

The proposed AD would differ from

the parallel Spanish airworthiness

directive in that the proposed AD would

require the accomplishment of the

terminating action for the repetitive

inspections. The Spanish airworthiness

directive provides for that action as

optional.

Mandating the terminating action is

based on the FAA’s determination that

long-term continued operational safety

will be better assured by modifications

or design changes to remove the source

of the problem, rather than by repetitive

inspections. The ‘‘electrical spark

marks,’’ which are the subject of the

inspection required by the proposed

AD, are indicative of previous electrical

shorting, which in itself represents an

immediate hazard because of the close

proximity of fuel. Because the

inspection technique does not allow

detection of a discrepancy prior to the

existence of an unsafe condition,

repetitive inspections are not

considered adequate for long-term

continued operational safety.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 38 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD.

It would take approximately 1 work

hour per airplane to accomplish the

proposed inspection, at an average labor

rate of $60 per work hour. Based on

these figures, the cost impact of the

inspection proposed by this AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $2,280, or

$60 per airplane.

It would take approximately 5 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

proposed modification, at an average

labor rate of $60 per work hour. The

cost of required parts would be

minimal. Based on these figures, the

cost impact of the modification

proposed by this AD on U.S. operators

is estimated to be $11,400, or $300 per

airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the proposed requirements of this AD

action, and that no operator would

accomplish those actions in the future if

this AD were not adopted.

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 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 the following new airworthiness

directive:

Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A. (CASA):

Docket 98–NM–141–AD.

Applicability: All Model C–212 series

airplanes, 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 as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent electrical shorting between the

fuel pump electrical connections and the fuel

pump cover plate, which could result in the

ignition of fuel vapor, and consequent fuel

tank explosion/fire, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 100 flight hours after the

effective date of this AD, perform a visual

inspection for damage or ‘‘electrical spark

marks’’ on the cover plates for the fuel

pumps, in accordance with CASA

Maintenance Instructions COM 212–252,

Revision 0, dated July 15, 1996.

(1) If no damage or ‘‘electrical spark mark’’

is detected, repeat the visual inspection

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 300 flight

hours until the terminating action identified

in paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished.

(2) If any damage or ‘‘electrical spark

mark’’ is detected on the cover plate, prior to

further flight, inspect the wires for

overheating damage and the positive screw

terminal of the fuel pump for ‘‘electrical

spark marks’’ between the positive screw

terminal and the surrounding cartridge or the

pump body face; replace any damaged wire

with a new or serviceable wire, and

accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of

this AD, as applicable, in accordance with

the maintenance instructions.

(i) If no ‘‘electrical spark mark’’ is detected

between the positive screw terminal and the

surrounding cartridge or pump body face,

prior to further flight, modify the fuel pump

installation by incorporating a nonconductive film on the cover plate.

Accomplishment of this modification

constitutes terminating action for the

requirements of this AD.

(ii) If any ‘‘electrical spark mark’’ is

detected between the positive screw terminal

and the surrounding cartridge or the pump

body face, prior to further flight, modify the

fuel pump installation by installing a new

fuel pump and incorporating a nonconductive film on the cover plate.

Accomplishment of this modification

constitutes terminating action for the

requirements of this AD.

(b) Within 12 months after the effective

date of this AD, inspect the wires for

overheating damage and the positive screw

terminal of the fuel pump for ‘‘electrical

spark marks’’ between the positive screw

terminal and the surrounding cartridge or the

pump body face; replace any damaged wire

with a new or serviceable wire, and

accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of

this AD, as applicable, in accordance with

CASA Maintenance Instructions COM 212–

252, Revision 0, dated July 15, 1996, even if

no damage or ‘‘electrical spark mark’’ has

been detected on the cover plate.

Accomplishment of this modification

constitutes terminating action for the

requirements of this AD.

(c) 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
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 131 /Thursday, July 9, 1998 / Proposed Rules 37085

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.

(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 airplane to

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Spanish airworthiness directive 10/96,

dated November 5, 1996.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 1,

1998.

S. R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–18155 Filed 7–8–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

31 CFR Part 103

RIN 1506–AA22

Financial Crimes Enforcement

Network; Bank Secrecy Act

Regulations; Suspicious Transaction

Reporting by Casinos and Card Clubs;

Open Working Meetings

AGENCY: Financial Crimes Enforcement

Network, Treasury.

ACTION: Meetings on proposed

regulations.

SUMMARY: The Financial Crimes

Enforcement Network (‘‘FinCEN’’) will

hold four working meetings to give

interested persons the opportunity to

discuss with Treasury officials issues

regarding proposed Bank Secrecy Act

regulations relating to suspicious

transaction reporting by casinos and

card clubs.

DATES: Meeting 1: July 14, 1998 from

9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., New Orleans,

LA.

Meeting 2: July 23, 1998 from 9:00

a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Chicago, IL.

Meeting 3: August 6, 1998 from 9:00

a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Scottsdale, AZ.

Meeting 4: September 9, 1998 from

9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., New York, NY.

ADDRESSES: Meeting 1: The Westin

Canal Place, 100 Rue Iberville, New

Orleans, LA 70130.

Meeting 2: Holiday Inn, Chicago City

Centre, 300 East Ohio Street, Chicago, IL

60611.

Meeting 3: Scottsdale Hilton, 6333

North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ

85250.

Meeting 4: New York Hilton and

Towers, 1335 Avenue of the Americas,

New York City, NY 10019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

About the proposed regulations: Len

Senia, Senior Financial Enforcement

Officer, FinCEN, at (703) 905–3931, or

Cynthia Clark, Deputy Chief Counsel,

FinCEN, at (703) 905–3758.

About meeting registration: Anna

Fotias, Financial Crimes Policy Analyst,

FinCEN, at (703) 905–3695.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May

18, 1998, FinCEN issued proposed

regulations (63 FR 27230) relating to

suspicious transaction reporting by

casinos and card clubs. The proposed

regulations would require casinos and

card clubs to report to the Treasury

Department suspicious transactions

involving at least $3,000 in funds or

other assets, relevant to a possible

violation of law or regulation. The

proposed regulations would also require

casinos and card clubs to establish

procedures designed to detect

occurrences or patterns of suspicious

transactions and would make certain

other changes to the requirements that

casinos maintain Bank Secrecy Act

compliance programs.

FinCEN is announcing today that it

will hold four meetings to discuss issues

relating to the proposed regulations.

Although persons attending the

meetings are encouraged to discuss any

of their comments, concerns, or

suggestions about the proposed

regulations, FinCEN hopes that the

meetings will include discussion of the

following matters: (1) the $3,000

threshold for reporting suspicious

transactions, (2) detecting suspicious

transactions, (3) compliance program

requirements for casinos and card clubs,

and (4) specific areas in which

additional guidance would be helpful.

The meetings are not intended as a

substitute for FinCEN’s request for

written comments in the notice of

proposed rulemaking published May 18,

1998. Rather, the meetings are intended

to help make the comment process as

productive as possible by providing a

forum between the industry and FinCEN

concerning issues relating to the

proposed regulations. The meetings will

be open to the public and will be

recorded. A transcript of the meetings

will be available for public inspection

and copying. Accordingly, oral or

written material not intended to be

disclosed to the public should not be

raised at the meetings.

Dated: July 2, 1998.

Stephen R. Kroll,

Federal Register Liaison Officer, Financial

Crimes Enforcement Network.

[FR Doc. 98–18126 Filed 7–8–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4820–03–P

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[FRL–6121–9]

National Priorities List Update; Golden

Strip Septic Tank Superfund Site

AGENCY: Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Delete the

Golden Strip Septic Tank Superfund

Site from the National Priorities List

(NPL).

SUMMARY: The United States

Environmental Protection Agency (US

EPA), Region 4, announces its intent to

delete the Golden Strip Septic Tank

Superfund Site from the National

Priorities List (NPL) and requests public

comment on this proposed action. The

NPL constitutes Appendix B of 40 CFR

part 300 which is the National Oil and

Hazardous Substances Pollution

Contingency Plan (NCP), which EPA

promulgated pursuant to Section 105 of

the Comprehensive Environment

Response, Compensation, and Liability

Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended.

EPA and the State of South Carolina

Department of Health and

Environmental Control (SCDHEC) have

determined that all remedial action

objectives have been met and the Site

poses no significant threat to public

health or the environment. Therefore,

further remedial measures are not

appropriate.

DATES: Comments concerning this Site

may be submitted on or before August

10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed

to: Craig Zeller, P.E., Waste Management

Division—North Site Management

Branch, U. S. Environmental Protection

Agency, Region 4, 61 Forsyth St., SW,

Atlanta, GA, 30303. You may also

submit comments electronically, at the

following Email Address,

Zeller.Craig@EPAMail.EPA.gov.

Comprehensive information on this

Site is available through the public

docket, which is available for viewing at

the Golden Strip Septic Tank Site

information repositories at the following

locations: