Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules 13271

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February

21, 2001.

Eric Bries,

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–5170 Filed 3–2–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–CE–82–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus

Aircraft LTD Models PC–12 and PC–12/

45 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to

supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)

99–17–08, which currently requires

modifying the generator 2 excitation by

removing certain diodes and installing a

new 5-amp circuit breaker and

suppression filter found on certain

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models

PC–12 and PC–12/45 airplanes. The

Federal Aviation Administration has

determined that the A250 voltage spike

suppression filter in the modification kit

can cause the circuit breaker 235 to trip

because of overload. In extreme

circumstances, this can lead to

overheating of wiring. The proposed AD

would require modifying the generator 2

excitation by removing certain diodes,

installing a new 5-amp circuit breaker

and new suppression filter requirement

in accordance with revised procedures.

The proposed AD is the result of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for Switzerland.

The actions specified by the proposed

AD are intended to prevent damage to

electrical components if generator 2 is

not switched off before engine

shutdown and it overheats. This could

result in loss of electrical power to

certain critical airplane components.

DATES: The FAA must receive any

comments on this proposed rule by

April 12, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send three copies of

comments to FAA, Central Region,

Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99–CE–82–

AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106. Comments may be

inspected at this location between 8

a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through

Friday, except holidays.

You may get service information that

applies to the proposed AD from Pilatus

Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison

Manager, CH–6371 Stans, Switzerland;

telephone: +41 41 619 65 09; facsimile:

+41 41 610 33 51. You may also read

this information at the Rules Docket at

the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–

4141; facsimile: (816) 329–4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I comment on this proposed

AD? We invite your comments on the

proposed rule. You may send whatever

written data, views, or arguments you

choose. You need to include the rule’s

docket number and send your

comments in triplicate to the address

mentioned under the caption

ADDRESSES. We will consider all

comments received by the closing date

mentioned above, before acting on the

proposed rule. We may change the

proposals contained in this notice

because of the comments received.

Are there any specific portions of the

proposed AD I should pay attention to?

The FAA specifically invites comments

on the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule that might call for a

need to change the proposed rule. You

may read all comments we receive. We

will file a report in the Rules Docket

that summarizes each FAA contact with

the public that concerns the substantive

parts of this proposal.

The FAA is reexamining the writing

style we currently use in regulatory

documents, in response to the

Presidential memorandum of June 1,

1998. That memorandum requires

federal agencies to communicate more

clearly with the public. We are

interested in your comments on the ease

of understanding this document, and

any other suggestions you might have to

improve the clarity of FAA

communications that affect you. You

can get more information about the

Presidential memorandum and the plain

language initiative at http://

www.faa.gov/language/.

How can I be sure FAA receives my

comment? If you want us to

acknowledge the receipt of your

comments, you must include a selfaddressed, stamped postcard. On the

postcard, write ‘‘Comments to Docket

No. 99–CE–82–AD.’’ We will date stamp

and mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

Has FAA taken any action to this

point? The FAA issued AD 99–17–08,

Amendment 39–11256 (64 FR 45149,

August 19, 1999), against Pilatus models

PC–12 and PC–12/45 airplanes, to

prevent damage to electrical

components if generator 2 is not

switched off before engine shutdown

and it overheats. This could result in

loss of electrical power to certain

critical airplane components of Pilatus

Models PC–12 and PC–12/45 airplanes.

AD 99–17–08 requires that you do the

following on the affected airplanes:

—modify the generator 2 excitation by

removing certain diodes; and

—install a new 5-amp circuit breaker

and suppression filter.

AD 99–17–08 was the result of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for Switzerland.

What has happened since AD 99–17–

08 to begin this action? The Federal

Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA), which

is the airworthiness authority for

Switzerland, recently notified FAA of

the need to change AD 99–17–08. The

FOCA reports that after installation of

Pilatus Service Bulletin SB 21–012 and

turning on electrical power on one of

the affected airplanes, the circuit

breaker CB 235 tripped.

Investigation revealed that the

suppression filter (A250) (part number

524.52.12.358) was shorted. The

suppression diode, installed in the filter

was shorted and the wrong type. The

manufacturer’s A250 voltage spike

suppression filter is inadequate and

must be replaced with a new A250

voltage spike suppression filter.

Is there service information that

applies to this subject? Pilatus issued:

—Service Bulletin No 24–012, dated

February 19, 1999; and

—Service Bulletin No 24–014, dated

October 27, 1999.

What are the provisions of these

service bulletins? These service

bulletins include procedures for:

—modifying the generator 2 excitation

by removing certain diodes and

installing a new 5-amp circuit breaker

and suppression filter;

—removing the A250 voltage spike

suppression filter; and

—installing the new A250 voltage spike

suppression filter.

What action did the FOCA take? The

FOCA classified both service bulletins

as mandatory and issued Swiss AD HB

99–143, dated February 19, 1999, and

AD HB 99–542, dated October 29, 1999,

to assure the continued airworthiness of

these airplanes in Switzerland.

13272 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules

Was this in accordance with the

bilateral airworthiness agreement? This

airplane model is manufactured in

Switzerland and is 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.

Complying with this bilateral

airworthiness agreement, the FOCA has

kept FAA informed of the situation

described above.

The FAA’s Determination and an

Explanation of the Provisions of the

Proposed AD

What has FAA decided? The FAA has

examined the findings of the FOCA;

reviewed all available information,

including the service information

referenced above; and determined that:

—the unsafe condition referenced in

this document exists or could develop

on other Pilatus Models PC–12 and

PC–12/45 airplanes of the same type

design that are equipped with one of

the previously referenced stabilizer

trim actuators;

—the actions specified in the

previously-referenced service

information should be done on the

affected airplanes; and

—AD action should be taken to correct

this unsafe condition.

What would the proposed AD require?

This proposed AD would supersede AD

99–17–08 with a new AD that would

require you to incorporate the actions in

the previously referenced service

bulletins.

Cost Impact

How many airplanes would the

proposed AD impact? We estimate that

the proposed AD affects 69 airplanes in

the U.S. registry.

What would be the cost impact of the

proposed AD on owners/operators of the

affected airplanes? We estimate the

following costs to do the proposed

modification of the generator 2

excitation:

Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per

airplane

Total cost on

U.S. airplane

operators

8 workhours × $60 per hour = $480 ............................ Parts will be provided at no cost to the owners/operators of the affected aircraft.$480 $33,120

If the modification of the generator 2 excitation has been done with the manufacturer’s modification kit, then we

estimate the following costs to remove the A250 voltage spike suppression filter and replace it with the new A250

voltage spike suppression filter:

Labor Cost Parts cost Total cost per

airplane

Total cost on

U.S. airplane

operators

3 workhours × $60. per hour = $180 ........................... Parts will be provided at no cost to the owners/operators of the affected aircraft.$180 $12,420

Regulatory Impact

Would this proposed AD impact

various entities? The regulations

proposed 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. We have

determined that this proposed rule

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

Would this proposed AD involve a

significant rule or regulatory action? For

the reasons discussed above, I certify

that this proposed action (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) 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 has been placed in the Rules

Docket. You may request copy 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, under 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. FAA amends § 39.13 by removing

airworthiness directive (AD) 99–17–08,

Amendment 39–11256 (64 FR 45149,

August 19, 1999), and by adding a new

AD to read as follows:

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: Docket No. 99–CE–82–

AD; Supersedes AD 99–17–08,

Amendment 39–11256.

(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD?

This AD affects Models PC–12 and PC–12/45

airplanes, serial numbers 101 through 289,

that are certificated in any category.

(b) Who must comply with this AD?

Anyone who wishes to operate any of the

above airplanes must comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address?

The actions specified by this AD are intended

to prevent damage to electrical components

if generator 2 is not switched off before

engine shutdown and it overheats. This

could result in loss of electrical power to

certain critical airplane components.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to

address this problem? To address this

problem, unless already done, you must do

the following:

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 43 / Monday, March 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules 13273

Action Compliance time Procedures

(1) Modify the generator 2 excitation with the

modification kit, part number 500.50.12.192,

replacing the A250 voltage spike suppression

filter, part number 524.52.12.358, with a new

A250 voltage spike suppression filter, part

number 524.52.12.502.

Within the next 100 hours time-in-service

(TIS) after the effective date of this AD.

Do this action following the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Pilatus

Service Bulletin No. 24–012, dated February 19, 1999, and Service Bulletin No.

24–014, dated October 27, 1999.

(2) If the modification kit, part number

500.50.12.192, is already installed using the

A250 voltage spike suppression filter, part

number 524.52.12.358, only replace this voltage spike suppression filter with a new A250

voltage spike suppression filter, part number

524.52.12.502.

Within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.Do this action following the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Pilatus

Service Bulletin No. 24–014, dated October

27, 1999.

(3) Do not install any A250 voltage spike suppression filter, part number 524.52.12.358, or

FAA–approved equivalent part number.

As of the effective date of this AD ................... Not Applicable.

(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. Send

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 Roman T. Gabrys,

Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane

Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas

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

4141; 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 65 09; facsimile: +41

41 610 33 51. You may read 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 these Swiss AD’s:

—HB 99–143, dated February 19, 1999; and

—HB 99–542, dated October 29, 1999.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

February 26, 2001.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certfication Service.

[FR Doc. 01–5169 Filed 3–2–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE

COMMISSION

17 CFR Chapter II

[Release Nos. 33–7955, 34–44014, 35–27350,

IA–1929, IC–24879]

RIN 3235–AI14

Public Information: Advanced Notice

of Proposed Rulemaking on Electronic

Reporting and Recordkeeping and

Delayed Effective Date of

Recordkeeping Provisions in the

Electronic Signatures in Global and

National Commerce Act of 2000

AGENCY: Securities and Exchange

Commission.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed

rulemaking.

SUMMARY: The Securities and Exchange

Commission announces several

upcoming rulemaking activities

regarding recordkeeping requirements

under the federal securities laws

consistent with the Electronic

Signatures in Global and National

Commerce Act of 2000. The action

delays the effective date of certain

provisions in the Act that may affect

certain recordkeeping requirements

under the federal securities laws.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Michael A. Macchiaroli, Associate

Director, (202) 942–0131; Thomas K.

McGowan, Assistant Director, (202)

942–4886; Randall W. Roy, Special

Counsel, (202) 942–0798, or Mathew

Comstock, Attorney, (202) 942–0156,

Division of Market Regulation (for

broker-dealers); Larry E. Bergmann,

Associate Director, (202) 942–0770;

Jerry Carpenter, Assistant Director;

David Karasik, Special Counsel, (202)

942–4187, Division of Market

Regulation (for transfer agents); Martha

B. Peterson, Special Counsel, Office of

Regulatory Policy, Division of

Investment Management (202) 942–

0690; Victoria J. Adraktas, AttorneyAdvisor, Office of Public Utility

Regulation (202) 942–0545; Mark

Borges, Attorney-Advisor, Office of

Rulemaking, Division of Corporation

Finance, (202) 942–2900, at the

Securities and Exchange Commission,

450 5th Street, NW., Washington, DC

20549.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

Securities and Exchange Commission

announces today several upcoming

rulemaking activities regarding

recordkeeping requirements under the

federal securities laws consistent with

the Electronic Signatures in Global and

National Commerce Act of 2000 (Pub. L.

106–229) (‘‘ESign’’). Under Section

107(b)(1)(B) of ESign, the record

retention provisions of Title I of that Act

will become effective on June 1, 2001.

Under the federal securities laws,

regulated entities, including registered

broker-dealers, transfer agents,

investment companies, investment

advisers, and public utility holding

companies, must keep certain records of

their activities. The Commission

currently allows these entities to keep

certain records electronically, subject to

standards designed to protect investors’

interests, the financial stability of

regulated entities and generally to

further the purposes of the federal

securities laws. ESign is intended to

remove unnecessary impediments to the

use of electronic records in commerce,

while preserving the ability of agencies