21136 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 77 / Thursday, April 20, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

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 (d) 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 overheating of the

electrical pins inside the cargo control

units (CCU) and subsequent release of

hot gases and flames, which could result

in smoke and fire in the cargo

compartment, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD

2000–05–01:

Deactivation

(a) For Group 1 airplanes having serial

numbers other than that identified in

paragraph (c) of this AD: Within 15 days

after March 20, 2000 (the effective date

of AD 2000–05–01, amendment 39–

11610), deactivate the forward and

center CCU’s in accordance with the

following procedures:

(1) Remove the access panel to the

forward cargo compartment CCU circuit

breaker panel located at fuselage station

1009.300 (right side looking aft). Pull

and collar the following circuit breakers:

B1–506

B1–485

B1–500

B1–489

B1–480

B1–495

B1–488

B1–481

B1–499

B1–487

B1–498

B1–490

B1–486

B1–482

(2) Remove the access panel to the

center cargo compartment CCU circuit

breaker panel located at fuselage station

1701.000 (right side looking aft). Pull

and collar the following circuit breakers:

B1–552

B1–758

B1–753

B1–762

B1–518

B1–764

B1–761

B1–519

B1–752

B1–760

B1–751

B1–763

B1–759

B1–520

(b) For Group 2 airplanes having

serial numbers other than that identified

in paragraph (c) of this AD: Within 15

days after March 20, 2000, deactivate

the forward and center CCU’s in

accordance with the following

procedures:

(1) Remove the access panel to the

forward cargo compartment CCU circuit

breaker panel located at fuselage station

1009.300 (right side looking aft). Pull

and collar the following circuit breakers:

B1–506

B1–485

B1–500

B1–489

B1–480

B1–495

B1–488

B1–481

B1–499

B1–487

B1–498

B1–490

B1–486

B1–482

(2) Remove the access panel to the

center cargo compartment CCU circuit

breaker panel located at fuselage station

1701.000 (right side looking aft). Pull

and collar the following circuit breakers:

B1–552

B1–758

B1–753

B1–762

B1–518

B1–764

B1–761

B1–519

B1–752

B1–760

B1–751

B1–759

B1–520

New Requirements of this AD:

(c) For Group 1 airplane, serial

number 48769, and for Group 2

airplane, serial number 48563: Within

15 days after the effective date of this

AD, accomplish the actions specified in

either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, as

applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(d)(1) 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, Los

Angeles 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, Los Angeles ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

(2) Alternative methods of

compliance, approved previously in

accordance with AD 2000–05–01,

amendment 39–11610, are approved as

alternative methods of compliance with

paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, as

applicable.

Special Flight Permits

(e) 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective

on May 5, 2000.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 12,

2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–9674 Filed 4–19–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–SW–69–AD; Amendment

39–11695; AD 2000–08–09]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Robinson

Helicopter Company Model R22

Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to Robinson Helicopter

Company (RHC) Model R22 helicopters.

This action requires replacing certain

serial number sprag clutches with an

airworthy sprag clutch as specified in

this AD. This amendment is prompted

by several reports of clutch assemblies

with cracked or fractured sprag ends.

The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent a sprag clutch

failure, loss of main rotor RPM during

autorotation, and subsequent loss of

control of the helicopter.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 77 / Thursday, April 20, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 21137

DATES: Effective May 5, 2000. Comments

for inclusion in the Rules Docket must

be received on or before June 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Office of the

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99–SW–69–

AD, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663,

Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Elizabeth Bumann, Aviation Safety

Engineer, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office, 3960 Paramount

Blvd., Lakewood, California 90712–

4137, telephone (562) 627–5265; fax

(562) 627–5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April

5, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99–07–17

(64 FR 17966, April 13, 1999),

Amendment 39–11126, to require

inserting a Special Pilot Caution into the

Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to alert

pilots of the potential for the sprag

clutch failing to overrun during

autorotation maneuvers. The Special

Pilot Caution was an interim measure

until the manufacturer developed a

permanent corrective action. Since the

sprag clutch is such a critical

component of the rotor drive system, the

FAA now believes that the affected

sprag clutches need to be replaced

within 30 days or 50 hours time-inservice (TIS), whichever occurs first.

Therefore, this AD requires replacing

sprag clutch, part number (P/N) A188–

2, serial numbers (S/N) 3708 through

3757 inclusive, 3808 through 3893

inclusive, and 3908 through 4207

inclusive, with sprag clutch, P/N A188–

2, S/N 4208 or higher. This amendment

is prompted by several reports of clutch

assemblies, including one from the

wreckage of a helicopter, with cracked

or fractured sprag ends. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to

prevent a sprag clutch failure, loss of

main rotor RPM during autorotation,

and subsequent loss of control of the

helicopter.

The FAA has reviewed RHC Service

Bulletin SB–85, dated March 22, 1999,

which describes procedures for

replacing sprag clutch, part number (P/

N) A188–2, serial numbers (S/N) 3708

through 3757 inclusive, 3808 through

3893 inclusive, and 3908 through 4207

inclusive.

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other Robinson R22

helicopters of the same type design, this

AD is being issued to prevent a sprag

clutch failure, loss of main rotor RPM

during autorotation, and subsequent

loss of control of the helicopter. The

short compliance time involved is

required because the previously

described critical unsafe condition can

adversely affect the controllability of the

helicopter after an actual engine failure.

Therefore, replacing sprag clutch, P/N

A188–2, serial numbers (S/N) 3708

through 3757 inclusive, 3808 through

3893 inclusive, and 3908 through 4207

inclusive, with sprag clutch, P/N A188–

2, S/N 4208 and higher, is required

within 30 calendar days or 50 hours TIS

after the effective date of this AD,

whichever occurs first, and this AD

must be issued immediately.

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.

The FAA estimates that 200

helicopters will be affected by this

proposed AD, that it will take

approximately 3 work hours to replace

a sprag clutch, and that the average

labor rate is $60 per work hour.

Required parts will cost approximately

$2,500 per helicopter. Based on these

figures, the total cost impact of the AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$536,000.

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 should 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 No. 99–SW–69–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

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, it is

determined that this final rule does not

have federalism implications under

Executive Order 13132.

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

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, 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 a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

AD 2000–08–09 Robinson Helicopter

Company: Amendment 39–11695.

Docket No. 99–SW–69–AD.

21138 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 77 / Thursday, April 20, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

Applicability: Model R22 Helicopters,

serial numbers (S/N) 0002 through 2862,

inclusive, with sprag clutch, part number (P/

N) A188–2, S/N 3708 through 3757 inclusive,

3808 through 3893 inclusive, and 3908

through 4207 inclusive, installed, certificated

in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in

the area subject to the requirements of this

AD. For helicopters 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 30 calendar

days or 50 hours time-in-service, whichever

occurs first, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent sprag clutch failure, loss of

main rotor RPM during autorotation, and

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter,

accomplish the following:

(a) Replace sprag clutch, P/N A188–2, S/N

3708 through 3757 inclusive, 3808 through

3893 inclusive, and 3908 through 4207

inclusive, with sprag clutch, P/N A188–2, S/

N 4208 or higher.

(b) Remove from the Rotorcraft Flight

Manual the Special Pilot Caution, revised

March 22, 1999, contained in Robinson

Helicopter Company R22 Service Bulletin

SB–85, dated March 22, 1999, or the Special

Pilot Caution insert in the Normal Procedures

Section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual

between pages P.4–8 and P.4–9 required by

AD 99–07–17, Docket No. 99–SW–24–AD,

Amendment 39–11126 (64 FR 17966, April

13, 1999), as applicable.

(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, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may concur or comment and then send

it to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office.

(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 helicopter

to a location where the requirements of this

AD can be accomplished.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on

May 5, 2000.

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 13,

2000.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–9897 Filed 4–19–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 101

[T.D. 00–27]

Technical Correction; Description of

Gramercy, Louisiana, Boundaries

AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service,

Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This document amends the

Customs Regulations pertaining to the

field organization of Customs by

correcting the boundary description of

Gramercy, Louisiana.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 20, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Harold Singer, Chief, Regulations

Branch, U.S. Customs Service, 202–927–

2268.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

Customs established a port of entry of

Gramercy, Louisiana, by a final rule

document published as Treasury

Decision (T.D.) 82–93 in the Federal

Register (47 FR 21039) on May 17, 1982.

A description of the port of entry was

set forth in the document.

On May 31, 1984, Customs published

in the Federal Register (49 FR 22629)

T.D. 84–126, a final rule document

setting forth the port limits of all the

ports in the then New Orleans Customs

district. One of the ports, of which the

boundaries were described, was

Gramercy, Louisiana. The document

extended the limits of the Gramercy port

from those set forth in T. D. 82–93.

In a document published in the

Federal Register (49 FR 27142) on July

2, 1984, Customs delayed the effective

date of T.D. 84–126 regarding the

extension of the port boundaries of

Gramercy. This document stated that

‘‘[t]he listing for Gramercy shall remain

as set forth in section 101.3(b), Customs

Regulations,’’ meaning that the

description of the Gramercy port would

continue to be as set forth in T.D. 82–

93.

The Customs Regulations correctly

reflected that the port limits of

Gramercy were as set forth in T.D. 82–

93 until T.D. 95–77 was published in

the Federal Register (60 FR 50008) on

September 27, 1995. In that document,

which included a revision of section

101.3 to reflect the reorganization of

Customs, the reference to T.D. 84–126

was inadvertently inserted in the

‘‘Limits of port ‘‘ column next to the

listing of the port of entry of Gramercy

under the State of Louisiana.

This document corrects the error by

removing the reference ‘‘(Restated in

T.D. 84–126)’’ in the ‘‘Limits of port’’

column adjacent to the entry of

Gramercy in the ‘‘Ports of entry

column’’ under the State of Louisiana in

section 101.3(b), Customs Regulations.

Inapplicability of Public Notice and

Comment and Delayed Effective Date

Because this document relates to

agency organization and management

and merely corrects the geographical

description of a port, it is not subject to

the notice and public procedure

requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553. For the

same reasons, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

553(d)(3), a delayed effective date is not

required.

Regulatory Flexibiilty Act

Because this document is not subject

to the notice and public procedure

requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553, this

document is not subject to the

provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility

Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

Executive Order 12866

Agency organization matters are

exempt from consideration under

Executive Order 12866.

Drafting Information

The principal author of this document

was Janet L. Johnson. However,

personnel from other offices

participated in its development.

List of Subjects in 19 CFR Part 101

Customs duties and inspection,

Customs ports of entry, Exports,

Imports, Organization and functions

(Government agencies).

Amendment to the Regulations

Accordingly, Part 101 of the Customs

Regulations is amended as set forth

below.

PART 101—GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. The general authority citation for

Part 101 and the specific authority

citation for § 101.3 continue to read as

follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301, 19 U.S.C. 2, 66,

1202 (General Note 20, Harmonized Tariff

Schedule of the United States), 1623, 1624.