[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is withdrawn.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