Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 231 / Monday, December 2, 2002 / Proposed Rules 71493 Citation the occupant 10 seconds after its one or more blade fragments. The The authority citation for these deployment. actions specified by the proposed AD special conditions is as follows: 7. For the purpose of complying with are intended to prevent centrifugal HIRF and lightning requirements, the compressor intake wheel blade cracks, Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113 and inflatable seatbelt system is considered which can result in in-flight engine 44701; 14 CFR 21.16 and 21.101 for STC or a ‘‘critical system’’ if its deployment power loss or shutdown. 21.17 for TC; and 14 CFR 11.38 and 11.19. could have a hazardous effect on the DATES: Comments must be received by The Proposed Special Conditions airplane; otherwise, it is considered an January 31, 2003. The FAA has determined that this ‘‘essential’’ system. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in project will be accomplished on the 8. It must be shown that the inflatable triplicate to the Federal Aviation basis of not lowering the current level seatbelt will not release hazardous Administration (FAA), New England of safety for the Air Tractor Model AT– quantities of gas or particulate matter Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 401, –402, –502, –602, and –802 series into the cabin. Attention: Rules Docket No. 99–NE–12– 9. The inflatable seatbelt installation occupant restraint design. Accordingly, AD, 12 New England Executive Park, must be protected from the effects of fire the (FAA) proposes the following Burlington, MA 01803–5299. Comments such that no hazard to occupants will special conditions as part of the type may be inspected at this location, by result. certification basis for Air Tractor series appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 10. There must be a means to verify airplanes AT–401, AT–402, AT–502, p.m., Monday through Friday, except the integrity of the inflatable seatbelt AT–602, and AT–802 modified by Federal holidays. Comments may also activation system before each flight or it Goodrich Aircraft Interior Products. be sent via the Internet using the must be demonstrated to reliably following address: 9-ane- 4-Point Inflatable Restraints for operate between inspection intervals. [email protected]. Comments sent 11. A life limit needs to be established Agricultural Airplanes via the Internet must contain the docket for appropriate system designs. 1. It must be shown that the inflatable number in the subject line. 12. Qualification testing of the seatbelt will deploy and provide The service information referenced in internal firing mechanism must be protection under crash conditions the proposed rule may be obtained from accomplished using the vibration levels where it is necessary to prevent serious Turbomeca, 40220 Tarnos, France; appropriate for an agricultural airplane. injury. A dynamic test is required to telephone (33) 05 59 64 40 00; fax (33) verify that the system operates as Michael Gallagher, 05 59 64 60 80. This information may intended when subjected to the 26 G Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft be examined, by appointment, at the deceleration pulse described in Certification Service. FAA, New England Region, Office of the § 23.562(b)(2). The dynamic test need [FR Doc. 02–30325 Filed 11–29–02; 8:45 am] Regional Counsel, 12 New England only be performed using a 50 percentile BILLING CODE 4910–13–M Executive Park, Burlington, MA. male ATD. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 2. The means of protection must take Antonio Cancelliere, Aerospace into consideration a range of stature DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Engineer, Engine Certification Office, from a 5 percentile female to a 95 FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, percentile male. The inflatable seatbelt Federal Aviation Administration 12 New England Executive Park, must provide a consistent level of Burlington, MA 01803–5299; telephone energy absorption throughout that 14 CFR Part 39 (781) 238–7751; fax (781) 238–7199. range. [Docket No. 99–NE–12–AD] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 3. The design must prevent the inflatable seatbelt from either being RIN 2120–AA64 Comments Invited incorrectly buckled or incorrectly Interested persons are invited to Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca installed, or both, such that the airbag participate in the making of the Turmo IV A and Turmo IV C Series would not properly deploy. proposed rule by submitting such Turboshaft Engines 4. It must be shown that an written data, views, or arguments as inadvertent deployment does not cause AGENCY: Federal Aviation they may desire. Communications an unsafe condition (or hazard to the Administration, DOT. should identify the Rules Docket airplane). Consideration needs to be ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking number and be submitted in triplicate to given as a result of wear and tear, or (NPRM). the address specified above. All inertial loads resulting from in-flight or communications received on or before ground maneuvers (including gusts and SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation the closing date for comments, specified hard landings), likely to be experienced Administration (FAA) proposes to adopt above, will be considered before taking in service. The seat belt must have the a new airworthiness directive (AD) that action on the proposed rule. The same strength capability after the is applicable to Turbomeca Turmo IV A proposals contained in this notice may inflatable portion of the restraint has and IV C series turboshaft engines. This be changed in light of the comments been deployed. proposal would require initial and received. 5. It must be shown that deployment repetitive borescope and eddy current or Comments are specifically invited on of the device is not hazardous to the ultrasonic inspections of centrifugal the overall regulatory, economic, occupant. In addition, the seated compressor intake wheel blades for environmental, and energy aspects of occupant must not be injured as cracks and evidence of corrosion pitting, the proposed rule. All comments established by criteria in § 23.562 as a and, if found cracked or if there is submitted will be available, both before result of the inflatable seatbelt evidence of corrosion pitting, and after the closing date for comments, deployment, including keeping the lap replacement with serviceable parts. This in the Rules Docket for examination by belt located on the pelvis. proposal is prompted by reports of interested persons. A report 6. It must be shown that the inflatable cracked centrifugal compressor intake summarizing each FAA-public contact seatbelt will not impede rapid egress of wheel blades, resulting in the release of concerned with the substance of this VerDate 0ct<31>2002 16:38 Nov 29, 2002 Jkt 200001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\02DEP1.SGM 02DEP1 71494 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 231 / Monday, December 2, 2002 / Proposed Rules proposal will be filed in the Rules operation in the United States under the For the reasons discussed above, I Docket. provisions of Section 21.29 of the certify that this proposed regulation (1) Commenters wishing the FAA to Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ acknowledge receipt of their comments 21.29) and the applicable bilateral under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not submitted in response to this notice airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the DOT must submit a self-addressed, stamped this bilateral airworthiness agreement, Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 postcard on which the following the DGAC has kept the FAA informed FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) if statement is made: ‘‘Comments to of the situation described above. The promulgated, will not have a significant Docket Number 99–NE–12–AD.’’ The FAA has examined the findings of the economic impact, positive or negative, postcard will be date stamped and DGAC, reviewed all available on a substantial number of small entities returned to the commenter. information, and determined that AD under the criteria of the Regulatory Availability of NPRM’s action is necessary for products of this Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft type design that are certificated for regulatory evaluation prepared for this Any person may obtain a copy of this operation in the United States. action is contained in the Rules Docket. NPRM by submitting a request to the A copy of it may be obtained by Proposed Requirements of This AD FAA, New England Region, Office of the contacting the Rules Docket at the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Since an unsafe condition has been location provided under the caption Docket No. 99–NE–12–AD, 12 New identified that is likely to exist or ADDRESSES. England Executive Park, Burlington, MA develop on other products of this same List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 01803–5299. type design, the proposed AD would Discussion require: Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation • Initial and repetitive borescope and safety, Safety. The Direction Generale de L’Aviation eddy current or ultrasonic inspections Civile (DGAC), which is the The Proposed Amendment of centrifugal compressor intake wheel airworthiness authority for France, blades for cracks and evidence of Accordingly, pursuant to the recently notified the FAA that an unsafe corrosion pitting; and authority delegated to me by the condition may exist on Turbomeca Administrator, the Federal Aviation • Replacement with serviceable parts Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft Administration proposes to amend part if found cracked or if there is evidence engines. The DGAC advises that they 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations of corrosion pitting. have received reports of cracked (14 CFR part 39) as follows: centrifugal compressor intake wheel At this time there is no modification blades. The phenomena of blade available as terminating action; as the PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS cracking occurs in two phases; initiation investigation is ongoing into the cause DIRECTIVES after a single event, such as foreign of crack initiation, future rulemaking 1.