[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 106 (Friday, May 31, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27321-27322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13611]
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[[Page 27322]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-55-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A300-600 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain
Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. That action would have required
replacement of certain feel and limitation computers (FLC) with
modified FLC's. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) has issued other rulemaking that requires actions
equivalent to and beyond those proposed. Accordingly, the proposed rule
is withdrawn.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-1503; fax (206) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add a new airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300-600 series
airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on May 18, 1994 (59 FR 25844). The proposed
rule would have required the replacement of certain feel and limitation
computers (FLC) with modified FLC's, in accordance with instructions
contained in Airbus Service Bulletin A300-27-6025, dated September 15,
1993. That action was prompted by reports that the elevator control on
several in-service airplanes operated with stiffness. The proposed
actions were intended to prevent stiff operation of the elevator
control and undetected loss of the rudder travel limitation function,
which may adversely affect the controllability of the airplane.
Actions That Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since the issuance of that NPRM, the FAA has issued AD 96-09-02,
amendment 39-9576 (61 FR 18665, April 29, 1996). That AD requires the
installation of modified FLC's on Airbus Model A300-600 series
airplanes, as well as other Airbus models. Like the NPRM, that AD was
prompted by reports indicating that the elevator control operated with
stiffness. The actions required by that AD are intended to prevent
stiff operation of the elevator control and undetected loss of rudder
travel limitation function, which could adversely affect the
controllability of the airplane.
FAA's Conclusions
The requirements of AD 96-09-02 address the same unsafe condition
that would have been addressed by the NPRM issued as Docket 94-NM-55-
AD. That AD also incorporates and implements the same actions that were
proposed by the NPRM, as well as additional actions found necessary to
address the unsafe condition comprehensively. In light of this, the
issuance of a final action for this NPRM is unnecessary. Accordingly,
the proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.
Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not
preclude the agency from issuing another notice in the future, nor does
it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.
Regulatory Impact
Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking,
it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore, is not covered
under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Withdrawal
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 94-NM-55-AD,
published in the Federal Register on May 18, 1994 (59 FR 25844), is
withdrawn.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 23, 1996.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-13611 Filed 5-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
