28738 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 110 / Thursday, June 6, 1996 / Rules and Regulations

AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance

of the requirements of this AD is affected, the

owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in

accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD.

The request should include an assessment of

the effect of the modification, alteration, or

repair on the unsafe condition addressed by

this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not

been eliminated, the request should include

specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To reduce the potential for a fire hazard as

a result of burning and arcing of the

connector contacts of the power feeder cable

of the auxiliary power unit (APU) generator,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within 60 days after the effective date

of this AD, accomplish the actions specified

in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD:

(1) Apply a vapor sealant on the back of

the APU power feeder cable receptacle in

accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert

Service Bulletin MD11–24A104, dated May

7, 1996. Or

(2) Accomplish the actions specified in

both paragraph (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this

AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas

Alert Service Bulletin MD11–24A104, dated

May 7, 1996.

(i) Perform a one-time visual inspection for

color (gold-plating) and evidence of damage

of the connector contacts (pins/sockets) of

the power feeder cable of the APU generator

located in the upper left corner of the APU

compartment in the forward bulkhead; and

(ii) Replace any damaged pin or socket

with a gold-plated pin or socket, or

deactivate the electrical operation of the APU

until such replacement is accomplished.

(b) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Los

Angeles ACO. 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.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199

of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to

a location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance

with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service

Bulletin MD11–24A104, dated May 7, 1996.

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 McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855

Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California

90846, Attention: Technical Publications

Business Administration, Department C1–

L51 (2–60). Copies may be inspected at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

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

the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on

June 21, 1996.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 30,

1996.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 96–14037 Filed 6–05–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96–CE–22–AD; Amendment 39–

9650; AD 96–12–08]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Twin

Commander Aircraft Corporation 500,

680, and 690 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to Twin Commander Aircraft

Corporation (Twin Commander) 500,

680, and 690 series airplanes that do not

have a nose landing gear drag link bolt

with the manufacturer’s serial number,

manufacture date, and the last three

digits of the drawing number, 055, on

the bolt head. This action requires

replacing the nose landing gear (NLG)

drag link bolt with one that has been

manufactured with the proper heat

treatment. This action was prompted by

the failure of an improperly heat treated

NLG drag link bolt causing collapse of

the nose landing gear on a certain Twin

Commander Model 690B airplane while

taxiing. The actions specified by this AD

are intended to prevent the NLG from

collapsing, which if not corrected, could

result in loss of the airplane.

DATES: Effective June 27, 1996.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of June 27,

1996.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

July 29, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region,

Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket 96–CE–22–AD,

Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106.

Service information that applies to

this AD may be obtained from Twin

Commander Aircraft Corporation, 19010

59th Dr. NE, Arlington, Washington,

98223–7832; telephone (360) 435–9797;

facsimile (360) 435–1112. This

information may also be examined at

the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Central Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention:

Rules Docket 96–CE–22–AD, Room

1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David D. Swartz, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification

Office, 1601 Lind Ave. S.W., Renton,

Washington, 98055–4056; telephone

(206) 227–2624; facsimile (206) 227–

1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA

has recently received an accident report

on a certain Twin Commander Model

690B airplane. The accident was caused

by the failure of the nose landing gear

(NLG) after the NLG drag link bolt, part

number (P/N) ED 10055, broke. Further

investigation revealed that the bolt had

not been heat treated properly during

manufacture, thus making it weak and

the NLG susceptible to collapse during

landing or taxiing operations.

Additional bolts in two other

manufactured lots also failed the

Rockwell Hardness test, resulting in the

need to replace all of these NLG drag

link bolts.

Twin Commander has issued service

bulletin (SB) 224, Revision A, dated

April 24, 1996 which specifies replacing

the NLG drag link bolt with an approved

heat treated bolt.

Note: Although it is not required by this

AD, the FAA recommends that the owner/

operator return the removed bolt to the

factory for testing.

After examining the circumstances

and reviewing all available information

related to the incidents described above,

the FAA has determined that AD action

should be taken to prevent the NLG

from failing, which if not corrected,

could result in loss of the airplane.

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop in other Twin Commander 500,

680, and 690 series airplanes of the

same type design, this AD requires

replacing the NLG drag link bolt with an

approved heat treated bolt which has

the manufacturer’s serial number,

manufacture date, and the last three

digits of the drawing number, 055, on

the bolt head. The actions are to be done

in accordance with the instructions in
Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 110 / Thursday, June 6, 1996 / Rules and Regulations 28739

Twin Commander SB 224, Revision A,

dated April 24, 1996.

Since a situation exists that requires

the immediate adoption of this

regulation, it is found that notice and

opportunity for public prior 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 immediate flight safety and,

thus, was not preceded by notice and

opportunity to 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

above. 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 notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket No. 96–CE–22–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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612,

it is determined that this final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

and that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and 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

(otherwise, an evaluation is not

required). A copy of it, if filed, may be

obtained from the Rules Docket.

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

96–12–08. Twin Commander Aircraft

Corporation: Amendment 39–9650;

Docket No. 96–CE–22–AD.

Applicability: The following Model and

serial number airplanes, certificated in any

category.

Models Serial Nos.

500S ........ 3185, 3228, 3230, 3262, and

3291.

500U ........ 1765.

680F ........ 1195.

681 .......... 6027.

690 .......... 11035, 11053, 11068, and

11074.

690A ........ 11111, 11134, 11146, 11173,

11177, 11205, 11215, 11237,

11271, 11273, and 11282.

690B ........ 11360, 11382, 11409, 11424,

11451, 11455, 11463, 11491,

11513, 11535, 11536, and

11539.

690C ........ 11638, 11676, 11689, and

11719.

690D ........ 15041.

695 .......... 95010, 95033, and 96066.

695A ........ 69010, 69041, 69056, and

69061.

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 (e) 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 the next 10

hours time-in-service (TIS), unless already

accomplished.

To prevent the nose landing gear (NLG)

from collapsing, which if not corrected,

could result in loss of the airplane,

accomplish the following:

(a) Replace the NLG drag link bolt, part

number (P/N) ED 10055, with a new bolt in

accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section

of Twin Commander Service Bulletin 224,

Revision A, dated April 24, 1996.

(b) The new replacement bolt must be

marked with the manufacturer’s serial

number, the date of manufacture, and the last

three digits of the drawing number, 055, on

the bolt head.

Note 2: Although not required by this AD,

it is highly recommended that the removed

bolt (P/N ED 10055) be returned to Twin

Commander for Rockwell Hardness testing.

(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no

person shall install an NLG drag link bolt

that does not have the manufacturer’s serial

number, manufacture date, and the last three

digits of the drawing number, 055, on the

bolt head.

(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.

(e) An alternative method of compliance

(which would include Rockwell Hardness

test) or adjustment of the compliance time

that provides an equivalent level of safety

may be approved by the Manager, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Ave.

S.W., Renton, Washington, 98055–4056. The

request shall be forwarded through an

appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to

the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification

Office.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle Aircraft

Certification Office.

(f) The replacement required by this AD

shall be done in accordance with Twin

Commander Aircraft Corporation Service

Bulletin 224, Revision A, dated April 24,

1996. 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
28740 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 110 / Thursday, June 6, 1996 / Rules and Regulations

from Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation,

19010 59th Dr. NE, Arlington, Washington,

98223–7832; telephone (360) 435–9797;

facsimile (360) 435–1112. Copies may be

inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office

of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558,

601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or

at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

(g) This amendment (39–9650) becomes

effective on June 27, 1996.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May

30, 1996.

John R. Colomy,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 96–14032 Filed 6–5–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 95–ASW–20]

Revision of Class E Airspace; Victoria,

TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This action revises the Class

E airspace extending upward from 700

feet above ground level (AGL) at

Victoria, TX. The development of an

Instrument Landing System (ILS)

Standard Instrument Approach

Procedure (SIAP) to Runway (RWY) 12

Left (L) at Victoria Regional Airport has

made this action necessary. This action

is intended to provide adequate Class E

airspace to contain instrument flight

rule (IFR) operations for aircraft

executing the ILS SIAP to RWY 12L at

Victoria Regional Airport, Victoria, TX.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 15,

1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chuck Frankenfield, Operations Branch,

Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region,

Federal Aviation Administration, Fort

Worth, TX 76193–0530, telephone 817–

222–5591.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On January 24, 1996, a proposal to

amend part 71 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR part 71) to revise

the Class E airspace at Victoria, TX, was

published in the Federal Register (61

FR 1864). an ILS SIAP to RWY 12L

developed for Victoria Regional Airport,

Victoria, TX, requires the revision of the

Class E airspace at this airport. The

proposal was to revise the controlled

airspace extending upward from 700

feet AGL to contain IFR operations in

controlled airspace during portions of

the terminal operation and while

transitioning between the enroute and

terminal environments.

Interested parties were invited to

participate in this rulemaking

proceeding by submitting written

comments on the proposal to the FAA.

No comments to the proposal were

received. The rule is adopted as

proposed.

The coordinates for this airspace

docket are based on North American

Datum 83. Class E airspace designations

for airspace areas extending upward

from 700 feed or more AGL are

published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA

Order 7400.9C dated August 17, 1995,

and effective September 16, 1995, which

is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR

71.1. The Class E airspace designation

listed in this document will be

published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to part 71 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

part 71) amends the Class E airspace

located at Victoria Regional Airport,

Victoria, TX, to provide controlled

airspace extending upward from 700

feet AGL for aircraft executing the ILS

SIAP to RWY 12L.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation only involves an established

body of technical regulations that need

frequent and routine amendments to

keep them operationally current. It,

therefore—(1) is not a ‘‘significant

regulatory action’’ under Executive

Order 12866; (2) is not a ‘‘significant

rule’’ under DOT Regulatory Policies

and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February

26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant

preparation of a regulatory evaluation as

the anticipated impact is so minimal.

Since this is a routine matter that will

only affect air traffic procedures and air

navigation, it is certified that this rule

will not have a significant economic

impact on a substantial number of small

entities under the criteria of the

Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71

Airspace, Incorporation by reference,

Navigation (air).

Adoption of the Amendment

In consideration of the foregoing, the

Federal Aviation Administration

amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:

PART 71—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for 14 CFR

part 71 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 40103, 40113, 40120;

E.O. 10854; 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–1963

Comp., p. 389; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); 14 CFR

11.69.

§ 71.1 [Amended]

2. The incorporation by reference in

14 CFR 71.1 of the Federal Aviation

Administration Order 7400.9C, Airspace

Designations and Reporting Points,

dated August 17, 1995, and effective

September 16, 1995, is amended as

follows:

Paragraph 6005: Class E Airspace areas

extending upward from 700 feet or more

above the surface of the earth.

* * * * *

ASW TX E5 Victoria, TX [Revised]

Victoria, Victoria Regional Airport, TX

(lat. 28°51′09′′N, long. 096°55′07′′W)

That airspace extending upward from 700

feet above the surface within a 7.1-mile

radius of Victoria Regional Airport, and

within 1.9 each side of the 312° bearing from

the airport extending from the 7.1-mile

radius to 12.8-miles northwest of the airport.

* * * * *

Issued in Fort Worth, TX, on May 15, 1996.

Albert L. Viselli,

Acting Manager, Air Traffic Division,

Southwest Region.

[FR Doc. 96–13921 Filed 6–5–96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–M

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 95–ASW–17]

Revision of Class E Airspace; Guthrie,

TX

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This action revises the Class

E airspace extending upward from 700

feet above ground level (AGL) at

Guthrie, TX. New Very High Frequency

Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/Distance

Measuring Equipment (DME) Area

Navigation (Random Navigation)

(RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach

Procedures (SIAP’s) to Runaways

(RWY’s) 01 and 19 at 6666 Ranch

Airport, Guthrie, TX, have made this

action necessary. This action is

intended to provide adequate Class E

airspace to contain instrument flight

rule (IFR) operations for aircraft

executing the VOR/DME RNAV SIAP’s

to RWY’s 01 and 19 at 6666 Ranch

Airport, Guthrie, TX.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, August 15,

1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chuck Frankenfield, Operations Branch,

Air Traffic Division, Southwest Region,

Federal Aviation Administration, Fort

Worth, TX 76193–0530, telephone 817–

222–5591.