Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Proposed Rules 39771

(A) If no discrepancy is detected, the pintle

pin and the sleeve of the pintle pin may be

returned to service.

(B) If any discrepancy of the pintle pin and

sleeve is detected, prior to further flight,

repair the pintle pin and sleeve in

accordance with a method approved by the

Manager, International Branch, ANM–116,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

(b) Removal of corrosion and installation of

bushings in accordance with Part B. and/or

Part C., as applicable, of the Accomplishment

Instructions of Short Brothers Service

Bulletin SD360–53–42, dated September

1996 (for Model SD3–60 series airplanes), or

Short Brothers Service Bulletin SD3–60

SHERPA–53–3, dated November 4, 1997 (for

Model SD3–60 SHERPA series airplanes), as

applicable, constitutes terminating action for

the repetitive inspection 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. 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.

(d) 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.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in British airworthiness directives 005–09–96

and 005–11–97.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 20,

1998.

S. R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–19778 Filed 7–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97–NM–107–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A310, A300–600, and A320 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

supersedure of an existing airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to certain

Airbus Model A310, A300–600, and

A320 series airplanes, that currently

requires inspections to verify proper

installation of the grill over the air

extraction duct of the lavatory and to

detect blockages in the air extraction

duct of the lavatory, and correction of

any discrepancies. This action would

add a requirement for modification of

the grill of the air extraction duct,

which, when accomplished, would

terminate the repetitive inspections.

This action also would expand the

applicability of the existing AD to

include additional airplanes. 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 obstructions in the

air extraction system of the lavatory,

which may result in the failure of the

smoke detection system to detect smoke

in the lavatories.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 97–NM–

107–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

Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.

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 97–NM–107–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.

97–NM–107–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

On February 17, 1995, the FAA issued

AD 95–04–12, amendment 39–9164 (60

FR 11619, March 2, 1995), applicable to

certain Airbus Model A310, A300–600,

and A320 series airplanes, to require

inspections to verify proper installation

of the grill over the air extraction duct

of the lavatory and to detect blockages

in the air extraction duct of the lavatory,

and correction of any discrepancies.

That action was prompted by reports of

obstructions in the air extraction system

of the lavatories. The requirements of

that AD are intended to prevent

obstructions in the air extraction system

of the lavatory, which may result in the

failure of the smoke detection system to

detect smoke in the lavatories.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

Since the issuance of that AD, the

Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation Civile

(DGAC), which is the airworthiness

authority for France, notified the FAA

that it has received several additional

reports of incorrectly installed grill

hoods of the air extraction system of the

lavatory on certain Airbus Model A310,

A300–600, and A320 series airplanes.

This condition, if not corrected, could

result in obstructions in the air

extraction system, and consequent

failure of the smoke detection system to

detect smoke in the lavatories.
39772 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Proposed Rules

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Airbus has issued Service Bulletins

A310–26–2030, Revision 02, dated April

4, 1997 (for Model A310 series

airplanes); A300–26–6030, Revision 02,

dated April 4, 1997 (for Model A300–

600 series airplanes); and A320–26–

1037; Revision 02, dated July 8, 1997

(for Model A320 series airplanes). These

service bulletins describe procedures for

modification of the grill of the air

extraction duct in the lavatory. The

modification involves installing an

insert and a threaded guide pin to the

lavatory ceiling, which will align with

a new hole in the hood and the grill of

the air extraction duct. This

modification will ensure that the subassemblies of the air extraction system

of the lavatory can only be installed in

the correct position. Such modification

would eliminate the need for the

repetitive inspections.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletins is

intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition. The DGAC

classified these service bulletins as

mandatory and issued French

airworthiness directives 96–186–

204(B)R1, dated January 15, 1997 (for

Model A310 and A300–600 series

airplanes), and 96–007–073(B), dated

January 3, 1996 (for Model A320 series

airplanes), in order to assure the

continued airworthiness of these

airplanes in France.

FAA’s Conclusions

These airplane models are

manufactured in France and are 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

supersede AD 95–04–12 to continue to

require inspections to verify proper

installation of the grill over the air

extraction duct of the lavatory and to

detect blockages in the air extraction

duct of the lavatory, and correction of

any discrepancies. This action would

add a requirement for modification of

the grill of the air extraction duct,

which, when accomplished, would

terminate the repetitive inspections.

This action also would expand the

applicability of the existing AD to

include additional airplanes. The

actions would be required to be

accomplished in accordance with the

service bulletins described previously.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 36 Airbus

Model A310 series airplanes, 54 Airbus

Model A300–600, and 118 Airbus

Model A320 series airplanes of U.S.

registry that would be affected by this

proposed AD.

The inspections that are currently

required by AD 95–04–12 take

approximately 2 work hours per

airplane to accomplish, at an average

labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based

on these figures, the cost impact of the

currently required inspections on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $24,960, or

$120 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

For Airbus Model A310 series

airplanes, the new proposed

modification would take approximately

5 work hours per airplane (5 lavatories

per airplane; 1 work hour per lavatory)

to accomplish, at an average labor rate

of $60 per work hour. Based on these

figures, the cost impact of the

modification proposed by this AD on

U.S. operators of Airbus Model A310

series airplanes is estimated to be

$10,800, or $300 per airplane.

For Airbus Model A300–600 and

A320 series airplanes, the new proposed

modification would take approximately

10 work hours per airplane (5 lavatories

per airplane; 2 work hours per lavatory)

to accomplish, at an average labor rate

of $60 per work hour. Based on these

figures, the cost impact of the

modification proposed by this AD on

U.S. operators of Airbus Model A300–

600 and A320 series airplanes is

estimated to be $103,200, or $600 per

airplane.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the current or 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

removing amendment 39–9164 (60 FR

11619, March 2, 1995), and by adding a

new airworthiness directive (AD), to

read as follows:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 97–NM–107–AD.

Supersedes AD 95–04–12, Amendment

39–9164.

Applicability: Model A310 and A300–600

series airplanes on which Airbus

Modification 10156 has not been

accomplished (reference Airbus Service

Bulletin A310–26–2023 or A300–26–6024),

and Model A320 series airplanes on which

Airbus Modification 22561 (reference Airbus

Service Bulletin A320–26–1017) or Airbus

Modification 24548 (reference Airbus Service

Bulletin A320–26–1037) has not been

accomplished; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 1998 / Proposed Rules 39773

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 obstructions in the air

extraction system of the lavatory, which may

result in the failure of the smoke detection

system to detect smoke in the lavatories,

accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 95–04–

12

(a) Within 450 flight hours after March 17,

1995 (the effective date of AD 95–04–12),

perform an inspection of each lavatory to

verify proper installation of the grill over the

air extraction duct of the lavatories, and to

detect blockage in the air extraction duct of

the lavatories, in accordance with Airbus All

Operators Telex (AOT) 26–12, Revision 1,

dated July 4, 1994.

(1) If the grill is found to be properly

installed and if no blockage is found, repeat

the inspection thereafter whenever the cover

over the air extraction duct of the lavatories

or any ceiling louver (grill) of the ceiling light

in the lavatory is removed or replaced for any

reason.

(2) If the grill is found to be improperly

installed and/or if blockage is found, prior to

further flight, correct any discrepancies

found, in accordance with Airbus AOT 26–

12, Revision 1, dated July 4, 1994. Repeat the

inspection thereafter whenever the cover

over the air extraction duct of the lavatories

or any ceiling louver (grill) of the ceiling light

in the lavatory is removed or replaced for any

reason.

New Requirements of this AD

(b) Within 500 flight hours after the

effective date of this AD, modify the grill of

the air extraction duct of the lavatory, in

accordance with Airbus Service Bulletin

A310–26–2030, Revision 02, dated April 4,

1997 (for Model A310 series airplanes);

A300–26–6030, Revision 02, dated April 4,

1997 (for Model A300–600 series airplanes);

or A320–26–1037, Revision 02, dated July 8,

1997 (for Model A320 series airplanes); as

applicable. Accomplishment of the

modification constitutes terminating action

for the inspection requirements of paragraph

(a) 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

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 French airworthiness directives 96–186–

204(B)R1, dated January 15, 1997 (for Model

A310 and A300–600 series airplanes), and

96–007–073(B), dated January 3, 1996 (for

Model A320 series airplanes).

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 20,

1998.

S. R. Miller,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 98–19777 Filed 7–23–98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 98–AGL–46]

Proposed Establishment of Class E

Airspace; Granite Falls, MN

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: This notice proposes to

establish Class E airspace at Granite

Falls, MN. A VHF Omnidirectional

Range/Distance Measuring Equipment

(VOR/DME) Standard Instrument

Approach Procedure (SIAP) to Runway

(Rwy) 34 has been developed for Granite

Falls Municipal Airport. 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 6.4-mile

radius for this airport.

DATES: Comments must be received on

or before September 15, 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–46, 2300 East

Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois

60018.

The official docket may be examined

in the Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, Federal Aviation

Administrator, 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 these comments a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the

following statement is made:

‘‘Comments to Airspace Docket No. 98–

AGL–46.’’ 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, S.W., 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