28518 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 5, 1996 / Proposed Rules

requesting this listing. The Department

welcomes written comments on the

proposed priority list. Written

comments on the proposed priority list

must be received by July 26, 1996.

Please notify Bryan Berringer at the

above listed address of your intention to

attend the workshop or if you expect to

provide written comments.

Issued in Washington, DC on May 28,

1996.

Christine A. Ervin,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 96–13904 Filed 6–4–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96–NM–81–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Allied Signal

Commercial Avionics Systems CAS–81

Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance

Systems (TCAS) as Installed In, But

Not Limited To, Various Transport

Category Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

revise an existing airworthiness

directive (AD), applicable to various

transport category airplanes equipped

with Allied Signal Commercial Avionics

Systems CAS–81 TCAS. That AD

currently requires a revision to the

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to

provide the flightcrew with procedures

to cycle power to the TCAS processor

via the circuit breaker or power bus, and

to perform a TCAS functional test to

verify proper operation of the TCAS.

That action was prompted by reports of

failure of the audio output of the CAS–

81 TCAS. The actions specified by that

AD are intended to ensure that the

flightcrew is advised of the potential

hazard associated with failure of the

audio output of the CAS–81 TCAS, and

of the procedures necessary to address

it. This action would add a revision of

the AFM requirements that would

provide an alternative method of

compliance with the currently required

AFM revision; and would provide for a

modification to the TCAS processor,

which, if accomplished, terminates the

requirements of the AD.

DATES: Comments must be received by

July 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 96–NM–

81–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

Allied Signal Aerospace, Technical

Publications, Dept. 65–70, P.O. Box

52170, Phoenix, Arizona 85072–2170.

This information may be examined at

the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David Crew, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE–

116A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft

Certification Office, Small Airplane

Directorate, Campus Building, 1701

Columbia Avenue, Suite 2–160, College

Park, Georgia 30337–2748; telephone

(404) 305–7335; fax (404) 305–7348.

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 96–NM–81–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–103, Attention: Rules Docket No.

96–NM–81–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

On January 22, 1996, the FAA issued

AD 95–26–15, amendment 39–9495 (61

FR 2699, January 29, 1996), applicable

to various transport category airplanes

equipped with Allied Signal

Commercial Avionics Systems CAS–81

Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance

Systems (TCAS). That AD requires a

revision to the FAA-approved Airplane

Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the

flightcrew with procedures to cycle

power to the TCAS processor via the

circuit breaker or power bus, and to

perform a TCAS functional test to verify

proper operation of the TCAS. That

action was prompted by reports of

failure of the audio output of the CAS–

81 TCAS. The requirements of that AD

are intended to ensure that the

flightcrew is advised of the potential

hazard associated with failure of the

audio output of the CAS–81 TCAS, and

of the procedures necessary to address

it.

Explanation of New Service

Information

Since the issuance of that AD, Allied

Signal has issued Service Bulletin TPA–

81A–34–82, dated January 1996, which

describes procedures for a modification

(Unit Mod 13) of the TPA–81A TCAS

processor receiver. This modification

adds two 100k ohm resistors to circuitry

on the voice synthesizer module (VSM)

to provide a direct current (DC) return

for the Op-Amp. Additionally, the

modification adds four diodes to the

ADV. INHIBIT #1, #2, #3, and #4 lines

(advisory inhibit) at connector P3011 for

isolation. This modification will

eliminate audio noise and prevent a lack

of AUDIO alert due to the absence of a

return path to ground in an alternate

current (AC) coupled filter in the VSM.

The modification also will eliminate the

need to isolate diodes of the advisory

inhibit lines in certain configurations.

Allied Signal also issued Service

Bulletin TPA–81A–34–84, dated

January 1996, which describes

procedures for modification of the TPA–

81A TCAS processor receiver. The

modification involves redesignating

(rolling) the part numbers of processors

modified to Unit Mod 13. This

modification will prevent failure of the
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 5, 1996 / Proposed Rules 28519

audio alert annunciation circuit when a

unit has power applied for more than

twelve hours at elevated temperatures.

The FAA has reviewed and approved

these service bulletins, and has

determined that accomplishment of

these modifications will positively

address the unsafe condition identified

as failure of the audio output of the

CAS–81 TCAS.

Comments Received in Response to AD

95–26–15

In response to the request for

comments to AD 95–26–15, Airbus

requests that the AD include a currently

approved alternative means of

compliance with the AFM revision

required by paragraph (a) of the AD. For

airplanes on which the manufacturer

has substantiated 30 degrees Celsius as

a maximum ambient temperature for the

avionics compartment, this alternative

method of compliance revises the

Limitations Section of the FAAapproved AFM by including the

following:

In order to ensure that the audio output of

the CAS–81 TCAS operates properly,

accomplish the following:

Prior to each flight of up to 18 hours

duration, reset the TCAS circuit breaker and

conduct a TCAS self-test.

The FAA concurs, and has added a

new paragraph (b) to this proposal

accordingly.

Airbus also requests that additional

information be added to the AD to

clarify that maintenance personnel

should perform the revisions to the

AFM and should enter and sign-off the

required actions into the logbook.

The FAA does not concur that this AD

should be revised to include the

additional information requested by the

commenter. Persons authorized to

perform the work required by an AD are

generally not prescribed by an AD. Part

43 (‘‘Maintenance, Preventive

Maintenance, Rebuilding, and

Alteration’’) and part 121 (‘‘Certification

and Operations: Domestic, Flag, and

Supplemental Air Carriers and

Commercial Operators of Large

Aircraft’’) of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR parts 43 and 121)

specify persons authorized to perform

maintenance, preventive maintenance,

rebuilding, and alterations, as well as

maintenance record entry requirements,

and approval for return to service of the

airplane after maintenance.

Additionally, Airbus requests that

Models A300B2, A300B4, A310–200,

A310–200, A300–600, A320–100, A320–

200, A321–100, A330–300, A340–200,

and A340–300 series airplanes be

included in the list of airplanes

included in the applicability of the AD.

The FAA concurs. The FAA points

out, however, that the proposed AD (as

well as the previously issued AD) is

applicable to the subject TCAS unit

itself, notwithstanding the model of

airplane on which it is installed. As an

aid to operators in identifying whether

or not they are subject to the rule, the

FAA has included a list of the airplane

models on which the TCAS unit is

known to be installed. However, this list

is limited in that it does not include

every airplane on which the TCAS may

be installed.

Explanation of Requirements of

Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other products of this same

type design, the proposed AD would

revise AD 95–26–15 to add a new AFM

requirement that would specify an

alternative method of compliance with

the currently required AFM revision.

The proposed AD would provide for a

modification of the TCAS processor,

which, if accomplished, terminates the

requirements of the existing AD. The

proposed AD also identifies additional

airplane models on which the subject

TCAS unit may be installed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 5,000

various transport category airplanes in

the worldwide fleet on which the

subject TCAS unit may be installed. The

FAA estimates that 3,650 airplanes of

U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD.

The actions that are currently

required by AD 95–26–15, and retained

in this proposed revision, take

approximately 1 work hour per airplane

to accomplish, at an average labor rate

of $60 per work hour. Based on these

figures, the cost impact of the existing

AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$219,000, or $60 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed

above is 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.

Should an operator elect to

accomplish the proposed optional

terminating modification rather than

continue using the AFM revision, it

would take approximately 3 work hours

per airplane to accomplish, at an

average labor rate of $60 per work hour.

Required parts would be furnished by

the manufacturer at no cost to the

operator. Based on these figures, the

cost impact of this optional terminating

action is estimated to be $180 per

airplane.

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 39–9495 (61 FR

2699, January 29, 1996), and by adding

a new airworthiness directive (AD), to

read as follows:

Allied Signal Commercial Avionics Systems:

Docket 96–NM–81–AD. Revises AD 95–

26–15, Amendment 39–9495.

Applicability: CAS–81 Traffic Alert and

Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) that are

installed in, but not limited to, the following

airplanes, certificated in any category:

Aerospatiale Models ATR42 and ATR72

series airplanes;
28520 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 109 / Wednesday, June 5, 1996 / Proposed Rules

Airbus Industrie Models A300B2, A300B4,

A310–200, A310–300, A300–600, A320–100,

A320–200, A321–100, A330–300, A340–200,

and A340–300 series airplanes;

Beech Models 1900 and BE–65 through –90

(inclusive) series airplanes;

Boeing Models 727–100, 727–200, 737–

200, 737–300, 737–400, 737–500, 747–100,

747–200, 747–300, 747–400, 747SP, 757–200,

767–200, and 767–300 series airplanes;

Convair Model CV–580 airplanes;

de Havilland DHC–7 series airplanes and

Model DHC–8–100 airplanes;

Embraer Model EMB–120 series airplanes;

Fairchild Model F227 airplanes;

Fokker Models F28 Mark 100, Mark 1000,

and Mark 4000 series airplanes;

General Dynamics Models Convair 340 and

440 airplanes;

Gulfstream Models G–159 and G-IV

airplanes;

Lockheed Model L1011 series airplanes;

McDonnell Douglas Models DC–8–60, DC–

9–31, DC–9–51, DC–10–10; DC–10–30, DC–

10–30F, MD–11, and MD–80 series airplanes;

Rockwell International NA–265–65

airplanes;

Saab Model 340 series airplanes; and

Shorts Model 360 series airplanes.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

on which the TCAS unit identified in the

preceding applicability provision has been

installed, regardless of whether it has been

otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in

the area subject to the requirements of this

AD. For affected TCAS units or 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.

Note 2: CAS–81 Traffic Alert and Collision

Avoidance Systems (TCAS) processors

having serial numbers 6066 and subsequent,

are not subject to the requirements of this

AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To ensure that the flightcrew is advised of

the potential hazard associated with failure

of the audio output of the CAS–81 TCAS, and

of the procedures necessary to address it,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 3 calendar days after February

5, 1996 (the effective date of AD 95–26–15,

amendment 39–9495), revise the Limitations

Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight

Manual (AFM) to include the following. This

may be accomplished by inserting a copy of

this AD in the AFM.

‘‘In order to ensure that the audio output

of the CAS–81 TCAS operates properly,

accomplish the following:

• Prior to the first flight of the day; prior

to the accumulation of 10 hours of power;

and at the mid-point of any one flight

scheduled to exceed hours: Cycle the power

to the TCAS processor via the circuit breaker

or power bus.

• Prior to taxi before takeoff: Initiate the

TCAS functional test in accordance with

AFM procedures to verify operational

condition of the CAS–81 TCAS.’’

(b) For airplanes on which the

manufacturer has substantiated 30 degrees

Celsius as a maximum ambient temperature

for the TCAS processor location, the

following is considered to be an alternative

method of compliance for the AFM revision

requirements: Revise the Limitations Section

of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual

(AFM) to include the following. This may be

accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD

in the AFM. After revising the AFM, the

AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of

this AD may be removed from the AFM.

‘‘In order to ensure that the audio output

of the CAS–81 TCAS operates properly,

accomplish the following:

Prior to each flight of up to 18 hours

duration, reset the TCAS circuit breaker and

conduct a TCAS self-test.’’

(c) Modification of the TPA–81A TCAS

processor receiver in accordance with Allied

Signal Service Bulletin TPA–81A–34–82,

dated January 1996, and Allied Signal

Service Bulletin TPA–81A–34–84, dated

January 1996, constitutes terminating action

for the requirements of this AD. After this

modification is accomplished, the AFM

revisions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b)

of this AD may be removed from the AFM.

(d) 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, Atlanta

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA,

Small 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, Atlanta ACO.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

(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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 30,

1996.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 96–14038 Filed 6–4–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95–ANE–57]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pratt &

Whitney JT9D Series Turbofan Engines

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 Pratt

& Whitney JT9D series turbofan engines.

This proposal would require installing

an improved design turbine exhaust

case (TEC) with a thicker containment

wall or modified TEC. This proposal is

prompted by reports of 64 uncontained

engine failures since 1972. The actions

specified by the proposed AD are

intended to prevent release of

uncontained debris from the turbine

exhaust case following an internal

engine failure, which can result in

damage to the aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by

August 5, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), New England

Region, Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.

95–ANE–57, 12 New England Executive

Park, Burlington, MA 01803–5299.

Comments may also be submitted to the

Rules Docket by using the following

Internet address: ‘‘epdadcomments@mail.hq.faa.gov’’.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Pratt & Whitney, Publications

Department, Supervisor Technical

Publications Distribution, M/S 132–30,

400 Main St., East Hartford, CT 06108;

telephone (860) 565–7700. This

information may be examined at the

FAA, New England Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington,

MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Daniel Kerman, Aerospace Engineer,

Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine

and Propeller Directorate, 12 New

England Executive Park, Burlington, MA

01803–5299; telephone (617) 238–7130,

fax (617) 238–7199.

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

should 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