[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 5, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 75887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30947]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 91-CE-87-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier Inc. Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-
100, DHC-6-200, and DHC-6-300 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This document withdraws a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) that would have applied to all Bombardier Inc. Models 
DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, and DHC-6-300 airplanes. The NPRM would 
have superseded both AD 80-13-11 R2 and AD 80-03-08, which currently 
require repetitive inspections of the flight control rods for cracks on 
the above-referenced airplanes, with replacement of any cracked flight 
control rods. The NPRM would have required replacement of these flight 
control rods with improved design parts and would have reduced the need 
for the number of repetitions of the inspections. After evaluating all 
the comments received on the proposal, we have determined that, since 
the need for repetitive inspections is not eliminated by the 
replacements, the requirements of the current AD's should stand. We 
have not received any recent service problems regarding this subject on 
the affected airplanes. For these reasons, we are withdrawing the 
supplemental NPRM.

ADDRESSES: You may look at information related to this action at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 91-CE-87-AD, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Hjelm, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
New York Aircraft Certification Office, 10 Fifth Street, 3rd Floor, 
Valley Stream, New York 11581; telephone (516) 256-7523; facsimile 
(516) 568-2716.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Action Has FAA Taken to Date?

    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all 
Bombardier Inc. Models DHC-6-1, DHC-6-100, DHC-6-200, and DHC-6-300 
airplanes. The proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
supplemental NPRM on April 1, 1997 (62 FR 15443).
    The NPRM proposed to supersede both AD 80-13-11 R2 and AD 80-03-08, 
which currently require repetitive inspections of the flight control 
rods for cracks on the above-referenced airplanes, with replacement of 
any cracked flight control rods. The NPRM would have required 
replacement of these flight control rods with improved design parts and 
would have reduced the need for the number of repetitions of the 
inspections.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA invited interested persons to participate in the making of 
this amendment. The comments, in most part, reflect the public's desire 
to have FAA withdraw the proposal and let the current AD's stand. The 
reason for this is because the need for repetitive inspections is not 
eliminated by replacing flight control rods with improved design parts.

The FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    After re-evaluating all information related to this subject, we 
have determined that:
--The unsafe condition is currently addressed through AD 80-13-11 R2 
and AD 80-03-08;
--Because we have not received any recent service problems regarding 
this subject on the affected airplanes, there is no need for the 
supplemental NPRM, Docket No. 91-CE-87-AD; and
--We should withdraw the supplemental NPRM.

    Withdrawal of this action does not prevent us from taking or commit 
us to any future action.

Regulatory Impact

Does This Proposed AD Withdrawal Involve a Significant Rule or 
Regulatory Action?

    Since this action only withdraws a proposed AD, it is not an AD 
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, FAA withdraws the supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking, Docket No. 91-CE-87-AD, published in the Federal Register 
on April 1, 1997 (62 FR 15443).

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 28, 2000.
William J. Timberlake,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30947 Filed 12-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U