Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2002 / Proposed Rules 31

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other 

way? You may use an alternative method of 

compliance or adjust the compliance time if: 

(1) Your alternative method of compliance 

provides an equivalent level of safety; and 

(2) The Manager, Small Airplane 

Directorate, approves your alternative. 

Submit your request through an FAA 

Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may 

add comments and then send it to the 

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane 

identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, 

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 you have not 

eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 

actions you propose to address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any 

already-approved alternative methods of 

compliance? Contact Doug Rudolph, 

Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane 

Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 

City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–

4059; facsimile: (816) 329–4090. 

(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to 

another location to comply with this AD? The 

FAA can issue a special flight permit under 

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 

21.199) to operate your airplane to a location 

where you can accomplish the requirements 

of this AD. 

(h) How do I get copies of the documents 

referenced in this AD? You may get copies of 

the documents referenced in this AD from 

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison 

Manager, CH–6371 Stans, Switzerland; 

telephone: +41 41 619 63 19; facsimile: +41 

41 619 6224; or from Pilatus Business 

Aircraft Ltd., Product Support Department, 

11755 Airport Way, Broomfield, Colorado 

80021; telephone: (303) 465–9099; facsimile: 

(303) 465–6040. You may view these 

documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of 

the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, 

Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed 

in Swiss AD HB 2001–001, dated December 

28, 2000.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on 

December 21, 2001. 

Michael K. Dahl, 

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–32151 Filed 12–31–01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. 2001–NM–350–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330 and A340 Series Airplanes

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 

certain Airbus Model A330 and A340 

series airplanes. This proposal would 

require a one-time inspection of the 

hydraulically operated valve of the 

parking brake of the main landing gear 

to identify the part and serial numbers, 

and follow-on actions, if necessary. This 

action is necessary to prevent leakage of 

the valve, which could result in failure 

of the ‘‘blue’’ hydraulic system and 

consequent failure of alternate parking 

brake and emergency braking systems. 

This action is intended to address the 

identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by 

February 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in 

triplicate to the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Transport 

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114, 

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001–NM–

350–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington 98055–4056. 

Comments may be inspected at this 

location between 9 a.m. and 3 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-anmnprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent 

via fax or the Internet must contain 

‘‘Docket No. 2001–NM–350–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 

Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France. 

This information may be examined at 

the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan 

Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98055–4056, telephone (425) 227–2125; 

fax (425) 227–1149.

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 action may be changed in light 

of the comments received. 

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 proposed 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 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 action 

must submit a self-addressed, stamped 

postcard on which the following 

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to 

Docket Number 2001–NM–350–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–114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 

2001–NM–350–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, 

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056. 

Discussion 

The Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation 

Civile (DGAC), which is the 

airworthiness authority for France, 

notified the FAA that an unsafe 

condition may exist on certain Airbus 

32 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2002 / Proposed Rules 

Model A330 and A340 series airplanes. 

The DGAC advises that leakage of the 

hydraulically operated valve of the 

parking brake of the main landing gear 

has been identified on certain Model 

A320 series airplanes. Hydraulic fluid 

leakage was found at the hydraulic 

connections and the vent hole of the 

valve. Leakage of the hydraulically 

operated valve, if not corrected, could 

result in failure of the ‘‘blue’’ hydraulic 

system and consequent failure of 

alternate parking brake and emergency 

braking systems. 

Certain valves having serial numbers 

marked with a ‘‘V’’ or ‘‘VF+E’’ were 

modified and are not subject to the 

unsafe condition addressed by this AD. 

Similar Model 

The same hydraulically operated 

valve is installed on Model A330 and 

A340 series airplanes. Therefore, those 

airplanes are also subject to the unsafe 

condition identified by this proposed 

AD. 

Explanation of Relevant Service 

Information 

Airbus has issued Service Bulletins 

A330–32A3139 and A340–32A4176, 

both including Appendix 01, both dated 

September 14, 2001. The service 

bulletins describe procedures for a onetime detailed visual inspection of the 

hydraulically operated valve of the 

parking brake of the main landing gear 

to identify the part and serial numbers, 

and follow-on actions, if necessary. The 

follow-on actions consist of a visual 

inspection for hydraulic fluid leakage at 

the valve; repair or replacement of the 

valve with a new or serviceable valve if 

leakage is found, or repeat inspections 

if valve is not replaced, or if the valve 

is replaced with a valve having the same 

part or serial number; and an 

operational test following repair or 

replacement of the valve. 

Accomplishment of the actions 

specified in the service bulletins is 

intended to adequately address the 

identified unsafe condition. The DGAC 

issued French airworthiness directives 

2001–516(B) and 2001–517(B), both 

dated October 31, 2001, in order to 

assure the continued airworthiness of 

these airplanes in France. 

FAA’s Conclusions 

These airplane models are 

manufactured in France and are type 

certificated for operation in the United 

States under the provisions of section 

21.29 of the Federal Aviation 

Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 

applicable bilateral airworthiness 

agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral 

airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has 

kept the FAA informed of the situation 

described above. The FAA has 

examined the findings of the DGAC, 

reviewed all available information, and 

determined that AD action is necessary 

for products of this type design that are 

certificated for operation in the United 

States. 

Explanation of Requirements of 

Proposed Rule 

Since an unsafe condition has been 

identified that is likely to exist or 

develop on other airplanes of the same 

type design registered in the United 

States, the proposed AD would require 

accomplishment of the actions specified 

in the service bulletins described 

previously, except as discussed below. 

Difference Between this AD and the 

Service Bulletins 

Although the service bulletins specify 

that the manufacturer may be contacted 

for disposition of certain repairs, this 

AD would require such repairs to be 

accomplished per a method approved 

by either the FAA, or the DGAC (or its 

delegated agent). In light of the type of 

repair that would be required to address 

the identified unsafe condition, and in 

consonance with existing bilateral 

airworthiness agreements, the FAA has 

determined that, for this AD, a repair 

approved by either the FAA or the 

DGAC would be acceptable for 

compliance with this AD. 

Cost Impact 

The FAA estimates that 9 airplanes of 

U.S. registry would be affected by this 

proposed AD, that it would take 

approximately 2 work hours per 

airplane to accomplish the proposed 

inspection, and that the average labor 

rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 

these figures, the cost impact of the 

proposed AD on U.S. operators is 

estimated to be $1,080, or $120 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. The cost 

impact figures discussed in AD 

rulemaking actions represent only the 

time necessary to perform the specific 

actions actually required by the AD. 

These figures typically do not include 

incidental costs, such as the time 

required to gain access and close up, 

planning time, or time necessitated by 

other administrative actions. 

Regulatory Impact 

The regulations proposed herein 

would 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 proposal 

would not have federalism implications 

under Executive Order 13132. 

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 

adding the following new airworthiness 

directive:

Airbus Industrie: Docket 2001–NM–350–AD.

Applicability: Model A330 and A340 series 

airplanes, as listed in Airbus Service Bulletin 

A330–32A3139 or A340–32A4176, both 

dated September 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 (b) of this AD. 

Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 1 / Wednesday, January 2, 2002 / Proposed Rules 33

The request should include an assessment of 

the effect of the modification, alteration, or 

repair on the unsafe condition addressed by 

this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not 

been eliminated, the request should include 

specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless 

accomplished previously. 

To prevent leakage of the hydraulically 

operated valve of the parking brake of the 

main landing gear, which could result in 

failure of the ‘‘blue’’ hydraulic system and 

consequent failure of alternate parking brake 

and emergency braking systems, accomplish 

the following: 

Inspections/Follow-On Actions 

(a) Within 7 days after the effective date of 

this AD: Do a one-time detailed visual 

inspection to determine the part number (P/

N) and serial number (S/N) of the 

hydraulically operated valve of the parking 

brake of the main landing gear per Airbus 

Service Bulletin A330–32A3139 (for Model 

A330 series airplanes) or A340–32A4176 (for 

Model A340 series airplanes), both including 

Appendix 01, both dated September 14, 

2001, as applicable. 

(1) If no P/N or S/N is identified as affected 

equipment per the applicable service 

bulletin, no further action is required by this 

AD. 

(2) If any P/N or S/N is identified as 

affected equipment per the applicable service 

bulletin: Before further flight, perform the 

follow-on actions (which may include a 

visual inspection for hydraulic fluid leakage 

at the valve; repair or replacement of the 

valve with a new or serviceable valve if 

leakage is found; repetitive inspections if 

valve is not replaced, or if the valve is 

replaced with a valve having the same P/N 

or S/N; and an operational test), according to 

the applicable service bulletin.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a 

detailed visual inspection is defined as: ‘‘An 

intensive visual examination of a specific 

structural area, system, installation, or 

assembly to detect damage, failure, or 

irregularity. Available lighting is normally 

supplemented with a direct source of good 

lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by 

the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 

magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface 

cleaning and elaborate access procedures 

may be required.’’

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(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, 

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators 

shall submit their requests through an 

appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance 

Inspector, who may add comments and then 

send it to the Manager, International Branch, 

ANM–116.

Note 3: Information concerning the 

existence of approved alternative methods of 

compliance with this AD, if any, may be 

obtained from the International Branch, 

ANM–116.

Special Flight Permits 

(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.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed 

in French airworthiness directives 2001–

516(B) and 2001–517(B), both dated October 

31, 2001.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

December 26, 2001. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–32193 Filed 12–31–01; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. 2000–NM–335–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault 

Model Mystere-Falcon 50 Series 

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking; reopening of 

comment period. 

SUMMARY: This document revises an 

earlier proposed airworthiness directive 

(AD), applicable to certain Dassault 

Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series 

airplanes, that would have required 

repetitive tests of double-skin feeder 

tanks for fuel leaks, and corrective 

actions, if necessary. It also would have 

required modification of seals in the 

feeder tanks, which would have 

terminated the repetitive leak tests. That 

proposal was prompted by issuance of 

mandatory continuing airworthiness 

information by a foreign airworthiness 

authority. This new action revises the 

proposed rule by making the proposed 

requirements applicable to additional 

airplanes. The actions specified by this 

new proposed AD are intended to 

prevent fuel leaks from the feeder tanks, 

which could result in fuel vapors in the 

cabin that could come into contact with 

ignition sources. The actions are 

intended to address the identified 

unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by 

February 6, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in 

triplicate to the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Transport 

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114, 

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NM–

335–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-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments 

sent via fax or the Internet must contain 

‘‘Docket No. 2000–NM–335–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 

Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, 

South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606. 

This information may be examined at 

the FAA, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 

Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom 

Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–1137; 

fax (425) 227–1149.

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 action may be changed in light 

of the comments received. 

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 proposed 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 proposed rule. All comments