Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 136 /Thursday, July 16, 1998 / Proposed Rules 38353

compliance schedule based upon

calendar time instead of hours TIS.

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:

Socata—Groupe Aerospatiale: Docket No.

98–CE–58–AD.

Applicability: Model TBM 700 airplanes,

serial numbers 1 through 125, 127, 128, and

130 through 133, 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 45 days after

the effective date of this AD, unless already

accomplished.

To prevent failure of the oxygen generators,

which could result in crew incapacitation

and loss of the airplane, accomplish the

following:

(a) Modify the oxygen generator by

replacing the firing pin and adding a washer

in accordance with the Accomplishment

Instructions section of SOCATA Mandatory

Service Bulletin No. 70–046–35, dated May

1998.

(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 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 theManager, 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 SOCATA Mandatory Service

Bulletin No. 70–046–35, dated May 1998,

should be directed to SOCATA Groupe

AEROSPATIALE, Customer Support,

Aerodrome Tarbes-Ossun-Lourdes, BP 930–

F65009 Tarbes Cedex, France; telephone (33)

5.62.41.76.52; facsimile (33) 5.62.41.76.54; or

the Product Support Manager, SOCATA—

Groupe AEROSPATIALE, North Perry

Airport, 7501 Pembroke Road, Pembroke

Pines, Florida 33023; telephone (954) 894–

1160; facsimile: (954) 964–4191. 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 French AD No. T98–195(A), dated June 3,

1998.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 10,

1998.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–18940 Filed 7–15–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98–NM–176–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Saab Model

SAAB 340B 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 Saab Model SAAB 340B series

airplanes. This proposal would require

a one-time inspection for moisture or

other contamination of a certain wiring

harness, electrical relay, and relay

socket; a one-time inspection for

electrical damage of the same electrical

relay and socket; corrective actions, if

necessary; and replacement of certain

nut plates with new, improved parts.

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 a short circuit

caused by fluid leakage, which could

result in inability to extend or retract

the landing gear.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 98–NM–

176–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

Saab Aircraft AB, SAAB Aircraft

Product Support, S–581.88, Linkping,

Sweden. 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.
38354 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 136 /Thursday, July 16, 1998 / Proposed Rules

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–176–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–176–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Luftfartsverket (LFV), which is

the airworthiness authority for Sweden,

notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on certain Saab

Model SAAB 340B series airplanes. The

LFV advises that it has received a report

indicating that circuit breaker 7GA

opened while an airplane was in flight,

which resulted in the flightcrew being

unable to extend and lock down the

landing gear. In another incident, circuit

breaker 7GA opened shortly after takeoff

of an airplane, which resulted in the

flightcrew being unable to retract the

landing gear. Investigation revealed that

the design of nut plates installed on the

cockpit floor allowed fluid to leak

through carpet attachment holes on the

floor. Such fluid leakage contaminated

electrical relay 15GA, which is located

directly below the nut plates, and

caused a short circuit that caused circuit

breaker 7GA to open. Fluid leakage also

contaminated related wiring harnesses,

which could cause the wiring insulation

to break down and lead to a short

circuit. This condition, if not corrected,

could result in inability to extend or

retract the landing gear, or possible

collapse of the landing gear if it is not

locked down properly upon landing.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The manufacturer has issued Saab

Service Bulletin 340–32–115, dated

April 7, 1998. This service bulletin

describes procedures for a one-time

detailed visual inspection for moisture

or other contamination of a wiring

harness above relay consoles 305VU and

306VU, and cleaning the wiring harness,

if necessary. This service bulletin also

describes procedures for a one-time

detailed visual inspection for moisture

or other contamination of electrical

relay 15GA and its socket, which

involves removing the relay from its

socket; and corrective actions, if

necessary. These corrective actions

include removing the socket from the

relay console, disconnecting the wires

from the relay socket, and cleaning the

relay socket and relay. This service

bulletin also describes procedures for a

one-time detailed visual inspection for

electrical damage (i.e., arcing,

discoloration, or charring) of electrical

relay 15GA and its socket; and

replacement of the relay and its socket

with new parts, if necessary. The service

bulletin also describes procedures for

replacement of certain existing nut

plates on the floor of the cockpit with

new, improved parts. Accomplishment

of the actions specified in the service

bulletin is intended to adequately

address the identified unsafe condition.

The LFV classified this service bulletin

as mandatory and issued Swedish

airworthiness directive SAD 1–125,

dated April 7, 1998, in order to assure

the continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in Sweden.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in Sweden 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 LFV has kept the FAA informed of

the situation described above. The FAA

has examined the findings of the LFV,

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

in the service bulletin described

previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 120 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 inspections, at an average

labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based

on these figures, the cost impact of the

inspections proposed by this AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $7,200, or

$60 per airplane.

It would take approximately 3 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

proposed replacement, at an average

labor rate of $60 per work hour.

Required parts would be provided by

the manufacturer at no cost to operators.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the replacement proposed by this AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$21,600, or $180 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
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 136 /Thursday, July 16, 1998 / Proposed Rules 38355

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:

SAAB Aircraft AB: Docket 98–NM–176–AD.

Applicability: Model SAAB 340B series

airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 380

through 499 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 a short circuit caused by fluid

leakage, which could result in inability to

extend or retract the landing gear,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 400 flight hours after the

effective date of this AD, accomplish the

actions required by paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2),

(a)(3), and (a)(4) of this AD, in accordance

with Saab Service Bulletin 340–32–115,

dated April 7, 1998.

(1) Perform a detailed visual inspection to

detect moisture or other contamination of the

electrical wiring harness above relay consoles

305VU and 306VU. If any moisture or other

contamination is found, prior to further

flight, clean the wiring harness.

(2) Perform a detailed visual inspection to

detect moisture or other contamination of

electrical relay 15GA and its socket. If any

moisture or other contamination is found,

prior to further flight, accomplish corrective

actions.

(3) Perform a detailed visual inspection for

electrical damage of electrical relay 15GA

and its socket. If any sign of electrical

damage (arcing, discoloration, or charring) is

detected, prior to further flight, replace the

existing relay and socket with new parts.

(4) Replace the existing nut plates on the

floor of the cockpit with new, improved nut

plates, on the left and right sides of the

airplane.

(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,

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.

(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.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Swedish airworthiness directive SAD 1–

125, dated April 7, 1998.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8,

1998.

S.R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–18949 Filed 7–15–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Part 206

RIN 1010–AC09

Establishing Oil Value for Royalty Due

on Federal Leases

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service,

Interior.

ACTION: Further supplementary

proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The Minerals Management

Service (MMS) is proposing additional

changes to its second supplementary

proposed rulemaking regarding the

valuation of crude oil produced from

Federal leases.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on

or before July 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments,

suggestions, or objections regarding the

proposed rule to: Minerals Management

Service, Royalty Management Program,

Rules and Publications Staff, P.O. Box

25165, MS 3021, Denver, Colorado

80225–0165, e-mail address is

RMP.comments@mms.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David S. Guzy, Chief, Rules and

Publications Staff, Royalty Management

Program, Minerals Management Service,

telephone (303) 231–3432, fax (303)

231–3385, e-mail

RMP.comments@mms.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

MMS published an advance notice of

its intent to amend the current Federal

oil valuation regulations in 30 CFR parts

202 and 206 on December 20, 1995 (60

FR 65610). The purpose of this notice

was to solicit comments on new

methodologies to establish the royalty

value of Federal (and Indian) crude oil

production in view of the changes in the

domestic petroleum market and

particularly the market’s move away

from posted prices as an indicator of

market value.

Based on comments received on the

advance notice, together with

information gained from a number of

presentations by experts in the oil

marketing business, MMS published its

initial notice of proposed rulemaking on

January 24, 1997 (62 FR 3742),

applicable to Federal leases only. MMS

held public meetings in Lakewood,

Colorado, and Houston, Texas, to hear

comments on the proposal.

In response to the variety of

comments received on the initial

proposal, MMS published a

supplementary proposed rule on July 3,

1997 (62 FR 36030). This proposal

expanded the eligibility requirements

for valuing oil disposed of under arm’slength transactions.

Because of the substantial comments

received on both proposals, MMS

reopened the rulemaking to public

comment on September 22, 1997 (62 FR

49460). MMS specifically requested

comments on five valuation alternatives

arising from the public comments. MMS

held seven public workshops to discuss

valuation alternatives.

As a result of comments received on

the proposed alternatives and comments

made at the public workshops, MMS

published a second supplementary

proposed rule on February 6, 1998 (63

FR 6113). The comment period for this

second supplementary proposed rule

was to close on March 23, 1998, but was

extended to April 7, 1998 (63 FR 14057).

MMS held five public workshops (63 FR

6887) on this second supplementary