Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 101 / Thursday, May 24, 2001 / Rules and Regulations 28643

rather than eliminating public comment

altogether, which is permissible under

section 553(b)(B), the agency gives the

public an opportunity to respond to the

agency’s conclusion that public input

on the rule is unnecessary.

We believe that a direct final

rulemaking is the appropriate method

for amending the eligibility regulations

to conform to the Court of Appeals’

ruling on farm-related service

businesses and rural housing. These two

regulations should no longer be

controversial because we have

addressed the policy issues in an

extensive rulemaking that included two

comment periods and the Court of

Appeals resolved the ensuing legal

dispute. This direct final rule brings

§§ 613.3020 and 613.3030 into full

compliance with the appellate court’s

ruling. Under the circumstances, we

believe that an expedited rulemaking to

amend §§ 613.3020 and 613.3030 is in

the best interest of the FCS, the

borrowers who own System institutions,

commercial banks, and rural America.

For these reasons, we do not

anticipate significant adverse comment

on this direct final eligibility rule. If,

however, we receive significant adverse

comment during the comment period,

we will publish a notice of withdrawal

of the relevant provisions of this rule

that will also indicate how further

rulemaking will proceed. If we receive

no significant adverse comment, we will

publish our customary notice of the

effective date of the rule following the

required Congressional waiting period

under section 5.17(c)(1) of the Act.

List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 613

Agriculture, Banks, Banking, Credit,

Rural areas.

For the reasons stated in the

preamble, part 613 of chapter VI, title 12

of the Code of Federal Regulations is

amended as follows:

PART 613—ELIGIBILITY AND SCOPE

OF FINANCING

1. The authority citation for part 613

continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11,

2.2, 2.4, 2.12, 3.1, 3.7, 3.8, 3.22, 4.18A, 4.25,

4.26, 4.27, 5.9, 5.17 of the Farm Credit Act

(12 U.S.C. 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019,

2073, 2075, 2093, 2122, 2128, 2129, 2143,

2206a, 2211, 2212, 2213, 2243, 2252).

Subpart A—Financing Under Titles I

and II of the Farm Credit Act

2. Amend § 613.3020 by adding a new

paragraph (c) to read as follows:

§ 613.3020 Financing for farm-related

service businesses.

* * * * *

(c) Limitation. The authority of Farm

Credit banks and associations operating

under section 1.7(a) of the Act to

finance eligible farm-related service

businesses under paragraphs (b)(1) and

(b)(2) of this section is limited to

necessary capital structures, equipment,

and initial working capital.

§ 613.3030 [Amended]

3. Amend § 613.3030 as follows:

a. Add the words ‘‘resides in a rural

area and’’ after the word ‘‘who’’ and

before the word ‘‘is’’ in paragraph (a)(1);

and

b. Remove the words ‘‘the occupant’s’’

in paragraph (a)(2) and add in its place

the words ‘‘owned and occupied as the

rural homeowner’s’’.

Dated: May 18, 2001.

Kelly Mikel Williams,

Secretary, Farm Credit Administration Board.

[FR Doc. 01–13132 Filed 5–23–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6705–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001–NM–85–AD; Amendment

39–12236; AD 2001–10–10]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell

Douglas Model DC–9–81, –82, –83, and

–87 Series Airplanes, and Model MD–

88 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 McDonnell

Douglas Model DC–9–81, –82, –83, and

–87 series airplanes, and Model MD–88

airplanes. This action requires an

inspection of the wiring of the primary

and alternate static port heaters for

chafing, loose connections, and

evidence of arcing, and to determine

what type of insulation blanket is

installed in the area of the static port

heaters; and corrective actions, if

necessary. This action is necessary to

ensure that insulation blankets

constructed of metallized MylarTM are

removed or protected from the area of

the static port heater. Such insulation

blankets could propagate a small fire

that is the result of an electrical short of

the static port heater and could lead to

a much larger fire and smoke in the

cabin. This action is intended to address

the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective June 8, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of June 8,

2001.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

July 23, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001–NM–

85–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. Comments may be

submitted via fax to (425) 227–1232.

Comments may also be sent via the

Internet using the following address: 9–

anm–iarcomment@faa.gov. Comments

sent via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2001–NM–85–AD’’ in the

subject line and need not be submitted

in triplicate. Comments sent via the

Internet as attached electronic files must

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for

Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in

this AD may be obtained from Boeing

Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach

Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard,

Long Beach, California 90846,

Attention: Data and Service

Management, Dept. C1–L5A (D800–

0024). This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at

the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office, 3960 Paramount

Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at

the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Elvin Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM–

130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office, 3960 Paramount

Boulevard, Lakewood, California

90712–4137; telephone (562) 627–5344;

fax (562) 627–5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of

its practice of re-examining all aspects

of the service experience of a particular

aircraft whenever an accident occurs,

the FAA has become aware of an

incident of smoke in the cabin on a

McDonnell Douglas Model MD–88

airplane. An investigation discovered

28644 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 101 / Thursday, May 24, 2001 / Rules and Regulations

evidence of a fire adjacent to the rightside alternate static port heater. It was

discovered that the wiring of the static

port heater had shorted, which caused

an ignition source for the metallized

MylarTM (i.e.,

polyethyleneteraphthalate) insulation

blanket directly inboard of the heater

element. Insulation blankets constructed

of metallized MylarTM in the area of the

static port heater, if not corrected, could

propagate a small fire that is the result

of an electrical short of the static port

heater and could lead to a much larger

fire and smoke in the cabin.

The static port heater on McDonnell

Douglas Model MD–90–30 series

airplanes and Model DC–9–81, –82, –83,

and –87 series airplanes are identical to

those on the affected Model MD–88

airplane. Therefore, all of these models

are subject to the same unsafe condition.

Other Related Rulemaking

The FAA is planning to address the

identified unsafe condition of

McDonnell Douglas Model MD–90–30

series airplanes in a separate rulemaking

action.

The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing

and operators of McDonnell Douglas

Model DC–9–81, –82, –83, and –87

series airplanes, and Model MD–88

airplanes, is continuing to review all

aspects of the service history of those

airplanes to identify potential unsafe

conditions and to take appropriate

corrective actions. This airworthiness

directive (AD) is one of a series of

actions identified during that process.

The process is continuing and the FAA

may consider additional rulemaking

actions as further results of the review

become available.

The FAA has previously issued AD

2000–11–01, amendment 39–11749 (65

FR 34322, May 26, 2000), that address

insulation blankets made from

metallized polyethyleneteraphthalate

(MPET) on certain McDonnell Douglas

Model DC–9–80 and MD–90–30 series

airplanes, and Model MD–88 airplanes.

However, this AD does NOT terminate

or otherwise amend the requirements of

AD 2000–11–01.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80–

30A092, including Appendix, dated

March 14, 2001, which describes

procedures for a visual inspection of the

wiring of the primary and alternate port

heaters for chafing, loose connections,

and evidence of arcing, and to

determine what type of insulation

blanket is installed in the area of the

static port heaters; and corrective

actions, if necessary. The corrective

actions include:

1. Repairing or replacing wiring with

new wiring, if necessary; and

2. Replacing any metallized MylarTM

insulation blanket with a metallized

TedlarTM insulation blanket by using the

removed blanket as a pattern, or

applying a Douglas material

specification (DMS) 1984 tape patch to

the outboard side of the metallized

MylarTM insulation blanket in the area

adjacent to the primary and alternate

static ports and reidentifying the

modified blankets.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletin is

intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of the Requirements of the

Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other McDonnell Douglas

Model DC–9–81, –82, –83, and –87

series airplanes, and Model MD–88

airplanes of the same type design, this

AD is being issued to ensure that

insulation blankets constructed of

metallized MylarTM are removed or

protected from the area of the static port

heater. Such insulation blankets could

propagate a small fire that is the result

of an electrical short of the static port

heater and could lead to a much larger

fire and smoke in the cabin. This AD

requires accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletin

described previously, except as

discussed below.

Differences Between the Service

Bulletin and the AD

Operators should note that, although

the referenced service bulletin

recommends accomplishing the visual

inspection within 6 months (after the

issue date of the service bulletin), the

FAA has determined that an interval of

6 months would not address the

identified unsafe condition in a timely

manner. In developing an appropriate

compliance time for this AD, the FAA

considered not only the manufacturer’s

recommendation, but the degree of

urgency associated with addressing the

subject unsafe condition, the average

utilization of the affected fleet, and the

time necessary to perform the

inspection (2 hours). In light of all of

these factors, the FAA finds a 3-month

compliance time for completing the

required actions to be warranted, in that

it represents an appropriate interval of

time allowable for affected airplanes to

continue to operate without

compromising safety.

For cases where a metallized MylarTM

insulation blanket is installed, this AD,

unlike the referenced service bulletin,

provides two additional options (i.e.,

Options 3 and 4). Option 3 removes the

metallized MylarTM insulation blanket

material by cutting away the metallized

film and fiberglass batting, and sealing

the trimmed cutout with DMS 1984

tape, so that no fiberglass is exposed.

Option 4 replaces the metallized

MylarTM insulation blanket with an

insulation blanket that meets the

requirements of AD 2000–11–01, or that

has been approved by the Manager, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office

(ACO), as an alternative method of

compliance with the requirements of

AD 2000–11–01. The FAA finds that

these actions would adequately address

the identified unsafe condition.

Condition 2 of the Accomplishment

Instructions of the referenced service

bulletin addresses metallized TedlarTM

insulation blankets that are found

installed. Metallized TedlarTM

insulation blankets can be reinstalled on

airplanes, because they are not subject

to the identified unsafe condition of this

AD. The FAA finds that in addition to

metallized TedlarTM insulation blankets,

there are other non-metallized MylarTM

insulation blankets that are not subject

to the identified unsafe condition of this

AD. Therefore, for this AD, we have

decided not to use the phrase

‘‘metallized TedlarTM insulation

blankets.’’ For these cases, the AD will

refer to insulation blankets not

constructed of metallized MylarTM.

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

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 101 / Thursday, May 24, 2001 / Rules and Regulations 28645

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.

Submit comments using the following

format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue.

For example, discuss a request to

change the compliance time and a

request to change the service bulletin

reference as two separate issues.

• For each issue, state what specific

change to the AD is being requested.

• Include justification (e.g., reasons or

data) for each request.

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 2001–NM–85–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will

not have a substantial direct effect 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, 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:

2001–10–10 McDonnell Douglas:

Amendment 39–12236. Docket 2001–

NM–85–AD.

Applicability: Model DC–9–81, –82, –83,

and –87 series airplanes, and Model MD–88

airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin MD80–30A092, including

Appendix, dated March 14, 2001; 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 (f) 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 ensure that insulation blankets

constructed of metallized MylarTM are

removed or protected from the area of the

static port heater, which could propagate a

small fire that is the result of an electrical

short of the static port heater and could lead

to a much larger fire and smoke in the cabin,

accomplish the following:

Inspection

(a) Within 3 months after the effective date

of this AD, do a general visual inspection of

the wiring of the primary and alternate port

heaters for chafing, loose connections, and

evidence of arcing, and to determine what

type of insulation blanket is installed in the

area of the static port heaters, per Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin MD80–30A092,

including Appendix, dated March 14, 2001.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a

general visual inspection is defined as ‘‘A

visual examination of an interior or exterior

area, installation, or assembly to detect

obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This

level of inspection is made under normally

available lighting conditions such as

daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight, and may require removal or opening of

access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or

platforms may be required to gain proximity

to the area being checked.’’

Note 3: Insulation blankets that are marked

with ‘‘DMS 2072, Type 2, Class 1, Grade A;’’

‘‘DMS 2072, Type 2, Class 1;’’ or ‘‘DMS 1996,

Type 1;’’ are constructed of metallized

polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET).

Repair or Replacement for Any Chafing,

Loose Connection, or Arcing

(b) If any chafing, loose connection, or

arcing is detected during the inspection

required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before

further flight, repair or replace wiring with

new wiring, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin

MD80–30A092, including Appendix, dated

March 14, 2001.

No Metallized MylarTM (i.e.,

polyethyleneteraphthalate) Insulation

Blanket(s) Installed

(c) If the insulation blankets that are

installed in the area identified in paragraph

(a) of this AD are not constructed of

metallized MylarTM, no further action is

required by this AD for those blankets.

Metallized MylarTM (i.e.,

polyethyleneteraphthalate) Insulation

Blanket(s) Installed

(d) If any insulation blanket that is

installed in the area identified in paragraph

(a) of this AD is constructed of metallized

MylarTM, before further flight, do the actions

specified in paragraph (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), or

(d)(4) of this AD.

(1) Option 1. Replace the metallized

MylarTM insulation blanket with a metallized

TedlarTM insulation blanket by using the

removed blanket as a pattern, per Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin MD80–30A092,

including Appendix, dated March 14, 2001.

(2) Option 2. Apply a Douglas material

specification (DMS) 1984 tape patch to the

outboard side of the metallized MylarTM

insulation blanket in the area adjacent to the

primary and alternate static ports and

reidentify the modified blankets, per Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin MD80–30A092,

including Appendix, dated March 14, 2001.

(3) Option 3. Remove the metallized

MylarTM insulation blanket material by

cutting away the metallized film and

fiberglass batting to match the blanket patch

shown in VIEW A or B of Figure 1 of Boeing

Alert Service Bulletin MD80–30A092,

including Appendix, dated March 14, 2001.

Seal the trimmed cutout with DMS 1984

tape, so that no fiberglass is exposed.

(4) Option 4. Replace the metallized

MylarTM insulation blanket with an

insulation blanket that meets the

requirements of AD 2000–11–01, amendment

28646 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 101 / Thursday, May 24, 2001 / Rules and Regulations

39–11749, or that has been approved by the

Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification

Office (ACO), as an alternative method of

compliance with the requirements of AD

2000–11–01.

Note 4: Accomplishment of the action(s)

required by paragraphs (d)(2) or (d)(3) of this

AD does NOT terminate or otherwise amend

the requirements of AD 2000–11–01.

Operators are still required, within 5 years

after June 30, 2000 (the effective date of AD

2000–11–01), to replace insulation blankets

made from metallized

polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) with new

insulation blankets per AD 2000–11–01.

Compliance with Requirements of AD 2000–

11–01

(e) Accomplishment of the replacement

required by paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(4) of this

AD is acceptable for compliance with AD

2000–11–01 for the replaced blanket only.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(f) 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 ACO, FAA. 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 5: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(g) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(h) Except as provided by paragraphs (d)(3)

and (d)(4) of this AD, the actions shall be

done in accordance with Boeing Alert

Service Bulletin MD80–30A092, including

Appendix, dated March 14, 2001. 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 Aircraft Group, Long Beach

Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long

Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and

Service Management, Dept. C1–L5A (D800–

0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the

FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification

Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,

Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,

NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

(i) This amendment becomes effective on

June 8, 2001.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16,

2001.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–12944 Filed 5–23–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001–NM–116–AD; Amendment

39–12241; AD 2001–10–15]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa

Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.

(EMBRAER) Model EMB–135 and –145

Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This document adopts a new

airworthiness directive (AD) that is

applicable to certain EMBRAER Model

EMB–135 and –145 series airplanes.

This action requires a one-time

inspection to detect incorrect wiring of

electrical connectors to the pressure

switches and cartridges on the fire

extinguisher bottles for the engines and

the auxiliary power unit (APU);

disconnection and reconnection of the

wiring, as necessary; and adjustment of

the length of the harnesses on the fire

extinguisher bottles to avoid future

misconnections. This action is

prompted by the issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information

issued by a foreign civil airworthiness

authority. This action is necessary to

prevent the issuance of erroneous

commands or the receipt of erroneous

information pertaining to the fire

extinguisher system for the engines and

the APU, which could result in the

inability to put out a fire in an engine

or in the APU. This action is intended

to address the identified unsafe

condition.

DATES: Effective June 8, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of June 8,

2001.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

June 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001–NM–

116–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. Comments may be

submitted via fax to (425) 227–1232.

Comments may also be sent via the

Internet using the following address: 9-

anm-iarcomment@faa.gov. Comments

sent via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2001–NM–116–AD’’ in the

subject line and need not be submitted

in triplicate. Comments sent via the

Internet as attached electronic files must

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for

Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.

(EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343—CEP 12.225,

Sao Jose dos Campos—SP, Brazil. This

information may be examined at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or the FAA, Atlanta

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), One

Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard,

suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or at the

Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Thomas Peters, Aerospace Engineer,

Program Management and Services

Branch, ACE–118A, FAA, Atlanta

Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown

Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite

450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone

(770) 703–6063; fax (770) 703–6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Departmento de Aviacao Civil (DAC),

which is the airworthiness authority for

Brazil, notified the FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on certain

EMBRAER Model EMB–135 and –145

series airplanes. The DAC advises that

electrical connectors to pressure

switches and cartridges on the fire

extinguisher bottles for the engines and

the auxiliary power unit (APU) may

have been reversed during production

or maintenance. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in the issuance of

erroneous commands or the receipt of

erroneous information pertaining to the

fire extinguisher system for the engines

and the APU, resulting in the inability

to put out a fire in an engine or the APU.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

EMBRAER has issued Service Bulletin

145–26–0009, dated January 26, 2001,

which describes procedures for a onetime general visual inspection to detect