This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

51782 

Vol. 82, No. 215 

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2017–0288; Product 

Identifier 2017–CE–007–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Textron 

Aviation Inc. Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); 

reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier 

proposal for all Textron Aviation Inc. 

Models A36TC and B36TC airplanes. 

This action revises the notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by adding 

all Textron Aviation Inc. Models S35, 

V35, V35A, and V35B airplanes that 

have the optional turbocharger engine 

installed to the applicability and adding 

an annual visual inspection of the 

exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling 

(clamp). We are proposing this 

airworthiness directive (AD) to address 

the unsafe condition on these products. 

Since these actions would impose an 

additional burden over those in the 

NPRM, we are reopening the comment 

period to allow the public the chance to 

comment on these changes. 

DATES: The comment period for the 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on April 12, 2017 (82 FR 

17594), is reopened. 

We must receive comments on this 

SNPRM by December 26, 2017. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2017– 

0288; or in person at the Docket 

Management Facility between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. The AD docket 

contains this SNPRM, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

the Docket Office (phone: 800–647– 

5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Thomas Teplik, Aerospace Engineer, 

Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 

Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, 

Kansas 67209; phone: (316) 946–4196; 

fax: (316) 946–4107; email: 

thomas.teplik@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments about 

this proposal. Send your comments to 

an address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2017–0288; Product Identifier 2017–CE– 

007–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this SNPRM. We will 

consider all comments received by the 

closing date and may amend this 

SNPRM because of those comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. We 

will also post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact we receive 

about this SNPRM. 

Discussion 

We issued an NPRM to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) 

Models A36TC and B36TC airplanes. 

The NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on April 12, 2017 (82 FR 

17594). The NPRM was prompted by a 

fatal accident where the exhaust tailpipe 

fell off during takeoff. The NPRM 

proposed to add a life limit to the 

exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling 

(clamp) and, if the coupling is removed 

for any reason before the life limit is 

reached, require an inspection of the vband coupling before reinstalling. 

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued 

Since we issued the NPRM, we 

received information that Textron 

Models S35, V35, V35A, and V35B 

airplanes could have a turbocharged 

reciprocating engine installed, either at 

manufacture as an optional installation 

or post-manufacture as a supplemental 

type certificate (STC) installation. Either 

engine installation would include 

installation of an affected v-band 

coupling. We also received comments to 

the NPRM requesting an annual visual 

inspection of the v-band couplings and 

requesting language changes to address 

the replacement of the engine with a 

non-turbocharged engine. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

comment on the NPRM. The following 

presents the comments received on the 

NPRM and the FAA’s response to each 

comment. 

Request Repetitive Visual Inspections 

of the V-Band Coupling 

The National Transportation Safety 

Board (NTSB) requested we add 

repetitive visual inspections of the vband coupling. The NTSB noted that the 

FAA included repetitive visual 

inspections of the v-band coupling in a 

previous AD affecting Piper Aircraft Inc. 

airplanes. They believe a similar 

repetitive visual inspection of the vband coupling for the airplanes affected 

by this proposed AD, in addition to the 

proposed life limit, would help identify 

the cracks before failure. 

We agree with the comment, and we 

have added a repetitive visual 

inspection of the v-band coupling to this 

SNPRM. 

Request To Remove Airplanes Without 

a Turbocharged Engine From the 

Applicability 

Gerard Terpstra requested we exclude 

Model A36TC airplanes that have STC 


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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 51783 

SA3523NM installed from the 

applicability of the AD. This STC 

removes the turbocharged engine and 

replaces it with a turbine engine, which 

does not include a v-band coupling 

affected by the proposed AD. Therefore, 

it would be impossible to comply with 

the AD. 

We agree with this comment, and we 

have modified the Applicability, 

paragraph (c), to only apply to airplanes 

with engine installations with a 

turbocharger that include exhaust 

tailpipe v-band couplings affected by 

this SNPRM. 

In Favor of the AD 

Thomas P. Turner of the American 

Bonanza Society Air Safety Foundation 

responded in favor of the proposed AD 

action. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. Certain changes described 

above expand the scope of the NPRM. 

As a result, we have determined that it 

is necessary to reopen the comment 

period to provide additional 

opportunity for the public to comment 

on this SNPRM. 

Proposed Requirements of This SNPRM 

This SNPRM would require repetitive 

visual inspections of the exhaust 

tailpipe v-band coupling and add a life 

limit to the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling (clamp). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 731 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Visual inspection of the exhaust tailpipe 

v-band coupling (Installed).

.5 work-hour × $85 per hour = $42.50 .. Not applicable ................ $42.50 $31,067.50 

Replacement of the exhaust tailpipe vband coupling.2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ..... $300 ............................... 470 343,570 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary inspection that would 

require removal and reinstallation of the 

exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling. We 

have no way of determining the number 

of airplanes that might need this 

inspection: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Inspection of the exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling 

(Not installed, includes removal and reinstallation).

1.5 work-hours × $127.50 per hour = $127.50 ............ Not applicable $127.50 

We estimate the following costs for 

the installation of part number 

N1000897–40 exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling on Models S35, V35, V35A, 

and V35B airplanes equipped with the 

Continental TSIO–520–D engine with 

AiResearch turbocharger during 

manufacture. We have no way of 

determining the number of airplanes 

that may do this installation: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Installation of part number N1000897–40 exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling.2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 ........................... $632 $802 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs’’ describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 

We are issuing this rulemaking under 

the authority described in Subtitle VII, 

Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: 

‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that 

section, Congress charges the FAA with 

promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in 

air commerce by prescribing regulations 

for practices, methods, and procedures 

the Administrator finds necessary for 

safety in air commerce. This regulation 

is within the scope of that authority 

because it addresses an unsafe condition 

that is likely to exist or develop on 

products identified in this rulemaking 

action. 

This AD is issued in accordance with 

authority delegated by the Executive 

Director, Aircraft Certification Service, 

as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. 

In accordance with that order, issuance 

of ADs is normally a function of the 

Compliance and Airworthiness 

Division, but during this transition 

period, the Executive Director has 

delegated the authority to issue ADs 

applicable to small airplanes and 

domestic business jet transport 

airplanes to the Director of the Policy 

and Innovation Division. 

Regulatory Findings 

We determined that this proposed AD 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. This 

proposed AD would not have a 


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51784 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 215 / Wednesday, November 8, 2017 / Proposed Rules 

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. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify 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), 

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation 

in Alaska, and 

(4) 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. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Textron Aviation Inc.: Docket No. FAA– 

2017–0288; Product Identifier 2017–CE– 

007–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by December 

26, 2017. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

(1) This AD applies to the following 

Textron Aviation Inc. airplanes; all serial 

numbers, that are certificated in any category: 

(i) Models A36TC and B36TC airplanes 

equipped with a turbocharged engine. 

(ii) Models S35, V35, V35A, and V35B 

airplanes equipped with the Continental 

TSIO–520–D engine with AiResearch 

turbocharger during manufacture; and 

(iii) Models S35, V35, V35A, and V35B 

airplanes equipped with StandardAero 

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 

SA1035WE. 

(2) If the one-piece v-band coupling 

(clamp), part number (P/N) NH1000897–40, 

is installed on Textron Aviation Inc. Models 

S35, V35, V35A, and V35B airplanes 

equipped with the Continental TSIO–520–D 

engine with AiResearch turbocharger during 

manufacture, this AD does not apply to those 

airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 81, Turbocharging. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a fatal accident 

where the exhaust tailpipe fell off during 

takeoff. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

failure of the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling (clamp) that may lead to 

detachment of the exhaust tailpipe from the 

turbocharger and allow high-temperature 

exhaust gases to enter the engine 

compartment, which could result in an 

inflight fire. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. For the purposes of this AD, the 

exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling may also be 

referred to as the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

clamp. 

(g) Review of the Maintenance Records 

Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 

the effective date of this AD, do a 

maintenance records review to determine the 

hours TIS of the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling. If unable to determine the hours 

TIS of the exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling, 

use the compliance time specified in 

paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. 

(h) Compliance Times for Repetitive 

Replacement of the V-Band Coupling 

Use the following compliance times in 

paragraph (h)(1) or (2) for the repetitive 

replacement of the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling as specified in paragraph (i) of this 

AD. 

(1) If from a review of the maintenance 

records you can positively identify that the 

hours TIS for the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling is less than 500 hours TIS: Do the 

initial replacement within 500 hours TIS on 

the exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling or 

within the next 50 hours TIS after the 

effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 

later, and replace repetitively thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 500 hours TIS on the 

exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling. 

(2) If from a review of the maintenance 

records you can positively identify that the 

hours TIS for the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling is 500 hours TIS or more or you 

cannot positively identify the hours TIS for 

the exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling: Do the 

initial replacement within 50 hours TIS after 

the effective date of this AD and replace 

repetitively thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 500 hours TIS on the exhaust tailpipe 

v-band coupling. 

(i) Replacement of the Exhaust Tailpipe VBand Coupling 

Replace the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling for the airplanes in paragraphs (i)(1) 

through (3) at the applicable compliance time 

as specified in paragraph (h). 

Note 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD: We 

recommend after installation of the exhaust 

tailpipe v-band coupling, you do an engine 

run and recheck the torque of the v-band 

coupling. 

(1) Models A36TC and B36TC airplanes: 

Replace the exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling 

part number (P/N) N4211–375–M or P/N 

5322C–375–Z with a new exhaust tailpipe vband coupling. When installing the new part, 

tighten the v-band coupling to 40 in-lbs., tap 

the periphery of the band to distribute 

tension, and torque again to 40 in-lbs. 

Note 2 to paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: 

P/Ns N4211–375–M and P/N 5322C–375–Z 

are also known as P/N N4211–375M and 

P/N 5322C3752. The engineering drawings 

list the applicable part number v-band 

couplings as P/N N4211–375–M and P/N 

5322C–375–Z; however, the parts catalog 

lists the applicable v-band couplings as P/N 

N4211–375M and P/N 5322C3752. 

(2) Models S35, V35, V35A, and V35B 

airplanes: 

(i) For airplanes equipped with the 

Continental TSIO–520–D engine with 

AiResearch turbocharger during 

manufacture: Replace the exhaust tailpipe vband coupling P/N U4211–375–M or P/N 

4404C375–M with a new exhaust tailpipe vband coupling. When installing a new P/N 

U4211–375–M, tighten the v-band coupling 

to 60 in-lbs., tap the periphery of the band 

to distribute tension, and torque again to 60 

in-lbs. When installing a new P/N 4404C375– 

M, add 20 in-lbs after the running torque is 

overcome. Replacement of exhaust tailpipe vband coupling P/N U4211–375–M or P/N 

4404C375–M with the one-piece v-band 

coupling, P/N NH1000897–40, terminates the 

requirements of this AD. 

Note 3 to paragraph (i)(2)(i) and (ii) of this 

AD: P/Ns U4211–375–M and 4404C375–M 

may also be known as P/Ns U4211–375M and 

4404C375M or 4404C–375–M. 

(ii) For airplanes equipped with STC 

SA1035WE: Replace the exhaust tailpipe vband coupling P/N U4211–375–M with a 

new exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling. When 

installing the new part, tighten the v-band 

coupling to 60 in-lbs., tap the periphery of 

the band to distribute tension, and torque 

again to 60 in-lbs. 

(j) Repetitive Visual Inspection of the 

Installed Exhaust Tailpipe V-Band Coupling 

(1) If you remove the exhaust tailpipe vband coupling during your annual inspection 

or within the compliance time specified in 

paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, you may do the 

inspection specified in paragraph (k) of this 

AD in lieu of the inspection required in 

paragraph (j) of this AD. If you already have 

the v-band coupling removed, doing the 

detailed inspection as specified in paragraph 

(k) of this AD eliminates the possibility of 

having to remove and reinstall the v-band 

coupling more than once if certain conditions 

are found during the inspection required in 

paragraph (j) of this AD. 

(2) At the next annual inspection after the 

effective date of this AD or within the next 

12 months after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs later, and repetitively 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 


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months, do a visual inspection of the 

installed exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling. 

Use the inspection steps listed in paragraphs 

(j)(2)(i) through (vii) of this AD. 

(i) Inspect the coupling and area around 

the coupling for signs of exhaust stains, 

sooting, or other evidence of exhaust leakage. 

If any of those conditions are found, remove 

the coupling and go to the inspection steps 

in paragraph (k) of this AD for inspection of 

a v-band coupling that has been removed. 

(ii) Inspect the coupling outer band for 

cracks, paying particular attention to the spot 

weld areas. If cracks are found, before further 

flight, you must replace the v-band coupling 

with a new v-band coupling and restart the 

hours TIS for the repetitive replacement of 

the v-band coupling. 

(iii) Inspect the coupling for looseness or 

separation of the outer band to the v-retainer 

segments(s) at all spot welds. If looseness or 

separation of the outer band to any or 

multiple retainer segments(s) is found, before 

further flight, you must replace the v-band 

coupling with a new v-band coupling and 

restart the hours TIS for the repetitive 

replacement of the v-band coupling. 

(iv) Inspect the coupling outer band for 

cupping, bowing, or crowning. If any of these 

conditions are found, before further flight, 

remove the coupling and go to the inspection 

steps in paragraph (k) of this AD for 

inspection of a v-band coupling that has been 

removed. 

(v) Inspect the area of the coupling, 

including the outer band, opposite the t-bolt 

for damage or distortion. If any damage or 

distortion is found, before further flight, you 

must replace the v-band coupling with a new 

v-band coupling and restart the hours TIS for 

the repetitive replacement of the v-band 

coupling. 

(vi) Using a mirror, verify there is a space 

between each v-retainer coupling segment 

below the t-bolt. If there is no space between 

each v-retainer coupling segment below the 

t-bolt, before further flight, you must replace 

the v-band coupling with a new v-band 

coupling and restart the hours TIS for the 

repetitive replacement of the v-band 

coupling. 

(vii) Verify the v-band coupling nut is 

properly torqued as specified in paragraphs 

(j)(2)(vii)(A) through (C) of this AD: 

(A) For P/N N4211–375–M or P/N 5322C– 

375–Z exhaust tailpipe v-band coupling, 

torque to 40 in-lbs. 

(B) For P/N U4211–375–M exhaust tailpipe 

v-band coupling, torque to 60 in-lbs. 

(C) For 4404C375–M exhaust tailpipe vband coupling, verify the nut is secure. If not 

secure, before further flight, loosen and verify 

running torque and add 20 in-lbs to the 

running torque when tightened. 

(3) These inspections do not terminate the 

500-hour TIS repetitive replacement of the vband coupling and do not restart the hours 

TIS for the repetitive replacement of the vband coupling. 

(k) Visual Inspection of a Removed Exhaust 

Tailpipe V-Band Coupling 

(1) If during the visual inspection required 

in paragraph (j) of this AD you are required 

to remove of the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling to do a more detailed inspection, 

you must do the inspection steps listed in 

paragraphs (k)(1) and (2) of this AD. If you 

removed the exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling during the annual inspection or 

within the compliance time specified in 

paragraph (j)(2) of this AD, you may do the 

inspection specified in paragraph (k) of this 

AD in lieu of the inspection required in 

paragraph (j) of this AD. If you already have 

the v-band coupling removed, doing the 

detailed inspection as specified in paragraph 

(k) of this AD eliminates the possibility of 

having to remove and reinstall the v-band 

coupling more than once if certain conditions 

are found during the inspection required in 

paragraph (j) of this AD. 

(i) Use crocus cloth and mineral spirits/ 

Stoddard solvent, to clean the outer band of 

the v-band coupling. Pay particular attention 

to the spot weld areas on the coupling. If 

during cleaning corrosion cannot be removed 

or pitting of the v-band coupling is found, do 

not re-install the v-band coupling. Before 

further flight, you must install a new v-band 

coupling and restart the hours TIS for the 

repetitive replacement of the v-band 

coupling. 

(ii) Use a 10X magnifier to visually inspect 

the outer band for cracks, paying particular 

attention to the spot weld areas. If cracks are 

found during this inspection, do not reinstall the v-band coupling. Before further 

flight, you must install a new v-band 

coupling and restart the hours TIS for the 

repetitive replacement of the v-band 

coupling. 

(iii) Visually inspect the flatness of the 

outer band using a straight edge. Lay the 

straight edge across the width of the outer 

band. The gap must be less than 0.062 

inches. See figure 1 to paragraphs (k)(1)(iii) 

and (v) of this AD. If the gap exceeds 0.062 

inches between the outer band and the 

straight edge, do not re-install the v-band 

coupling. Before further flight, you must 

install a new v-band coupling and restart the 

hours TIS for the repetitive replacement of 

the v-band coupling. 

(iv) With the t-bolt in the 12 o’clock 

position, visually inspect the coupling for the 

attachment of the outer band to the v-retainer 

coupling segments by inspecting for gaps 

between the outer band and the v-retainer 

coupling segments between approximately 


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the 1 o’clock through 11 o’clock position. It 

is recommended to use backlighting to see 

gaps. If gaps between the outer band and the 

v-retainer coupling segments are found, do 

not re-install the v-band coupling. Before 

further flight, you must install a new v-band 

coupling and restart the hours TIS for the 

repetitive replacement of the v-band 

coupling. 

(v) Visually inspect the bend radii of the 

coupling v-retainer coupling segments for 

cracks. Inspect the radii throughout the 

length of the segment. See figure 1 to 

paragraphs (k)(1)(iii) and (v) of this AD. If 

any cracks are found, do not re-install the vband coupling. Before further flight, you 

must install a new v-band coupling and 

restart the hours TIS for the repetitive 

replacement of the v-band coupling. 

(vi) Visually inspect the outer band 

opposite the t-bolt for damage (distortion, 

creases, bulging, or cracks), which may be 

caused from excessive spreading of the 

coupling during installation and/or removal. 

If any damage is found, do not re-install the 

v-band coupling. Before further flight, you 

must install a new v-band coupling and 

restart the hours TIS for the repetitive 

replacement of the v-band coupling. 

(2) If the removed exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling passes all of the inspection steps 

listed in paragraphs (k)(1)(i) through (vi) of 

this AD, you may re-install the same v-band 

coupling. After the coupling is re-installed 

and torqued as specified in Replacement of 

the V-Band Coupling, paragraph (i) of this 

AD, verify there is space between each vretainer coupling segment below the t-bolt. If 

there is no space between each v-retainer 

coupling segment below the t-bolt, before 

further flight, you must install a new v-band 

coupling and restart the hours TIS for the 

repetitive replacement of the v-band 

coupling. 

(3) The inspections required in paragraphs 

(k)(1) and (2) of this AD only apply to reinstalling the same exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling that was removed as specified in 

paragraph (j) of this AD. It does not apply to 

installation of a new v-band coupling. These 

inspections do not terminate the 500-hour 

TIS repetitive replacement of the v-band 

coupling and do not restart the hours TIS for 

the repetitive replacement of the v-band 

coupling. 

(4) As of the effective date of this AD, do 

not install a used exhaust tailpipe v-band 

coupling on the airplane except for the 

reinstallation of the inspected exhaust 

tailpipe v-band coupling that was removed as 

specified in paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD. 

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Wichita ACO Branch, 

FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs 

for this AD, if requested using the procedures 

found in 14 CFR 39.19. The Manager, 

Chicago ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority 

to approve AMOCs concerning STC 

SA1035WE, if requested using the 

procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 

accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the Wichita ACO Branch, 

send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (m) of this AD. If 

sending information directly to the manager 

of the Chicago ACO Branch, send it to the 

attention of John Tallarovic, Aerospace 

Engineer, AIR–7C3 Chicago ACO Branch, 

2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 

60018–4696; telephone: (847) 294–8180; fax: 

(847) 294–7834; email: john.m.tallarovic@

faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(m) Related Information 

For more information about this AD, 

contact Thomas Teplik, Aerospace Engineer, 

Wichita ACO Branch, FAA, 1801 Airport 

Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; 

phone: (316) 946–4196; fax: (316) 946–4107; 

email: thomas.teplik@faa.gov. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on 

October 23, 2017. 

William Schinstock, 

Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2017–24065 Filed 11–7–17; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Highway Administration 

23 CFR Part 490 

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA–2017–0025] 

RIN 2125–AF776 

National Performance Management 

Measures; Assessing Performance of 

the National Highway System, Freight 

Movement on the Interstate System, 

and Congestion Mitigation and Air 

Quality Improvement Program 

AGENCY: Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; 

extension of comment period. 

SUMMARY: The FHWA is extending the 

comment period for a notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and 

request for comments, which was 

published on October 5, 2017. The 

original comment period is set to close 

on November 6, 2017. The extension is 

based on concern expressed by 

stakeholders that this closing date does 

not provide sufficient time to review 

and provide comprehensive comments 

on the proposal. The FHWA recognizes 

that others interested in commenting 

may have similar concerns, but is 

mindful of commenters who have 

expressed opposition to a lengthy 

rulemaking process. Therefore, the 

closing date for comments is extended, 

which will provide stakeholders 

interested in commenting additional 

time to submit responses to the docket. 

DATES: The comment period for the 

proposed rule published October 5, 

2017, at 82 FR 46427, is extended. 

Comments must be received on or 

before November 15, 2017. 

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver 

comments to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Dockets Management 

Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590, or submit 

electronically at http://

www.regulations.gov. All comments 

should include the docket number that 

appears in the heading of this 

document. All comments received will 

be available for examination and 

copying at the above address from 8 

a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ET, Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. Those 

desiring notification of receipt of 

comments must include a selfaddressed, stamped postcard or may 

print the acknowledgment page that 

appears after submitting comments 

electronically. Anyone is able to search 

the electronic form of all comments 

received into any of our dockets by the 

name of the individual submitting the 

comment (or signing the comment, if 

submitted on behalf of an association, 

business, labor union, etc.). You may 

review DOT’s complete Privacy Act 

Statement in the Federal Register 

published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 

65, Number 70, Pages 19477–78) or you 

may visit http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Susanna Hughes-Reck, Office of 

Infrastructure, (202) 366–1548, or Janet 

Myers, Office of Chief Counsel, (202) 

366–2019, Federal Highway 

Administration, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590– 

0001. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 

4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access and Filing 

You may submit or access all 

comments received by DOT online 

through: http://www.regulations.gov. 

Electronic submission and retrieval help 

and guidelines are available on the Web 

site. It is available 24 hours each day, 

365 days each year. Please follow the 

instructions. An electronic copy of this 

document may also be downloaded 

from the Federal Register’s home page 

at: http://www.federalregister.gov. 

Background 

Section 150 of title 23, U.S.C., 

identifies the national transportation 

goals and requires the Secretary by rule 


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