[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27391]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 23

[Docket No. 27344; Notice No. 93-71A]

 

Airworthiness Standards; Occupant Protection Standards for 
Commuter Category Airplanes; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

AGENCY: FAA, Transportation.

ACTION: Reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the reopening of the comment period for 
the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Occupant Protection Standards 
for Commuter Category Airplanes. The comment period for this NPRM is 
being reopened for 120 days to allow the public and industry the 
opportunity to evaluate additional supporting data and to allow the 
Joint Aviation Authorities additional time to comment on the NPRM.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 4, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this notice may be mailed in triplicate to: 
Federal Aviation Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel, Attn: 
Rule Docket (AGC-19), Docket No. 27344, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591, or delivered in triplicate to room 915G, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments delivered must 
be marked Docket No. 26269. Comments may be inspected in room 915G 
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, except on Federal holidays.
    In addition, the FAA is maintaining an information docket of 
comments in the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, ACE-7, Federal 
Aviation Administration; Central Region, 601 East 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. Comments in the information docket may be 
inspected in the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel weekdays, except 
Federal holidays, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Michael Downs, ACE-111, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 601 East 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-5688.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Comments relating to the environmental, energy, 
federalism, or economic impact that might result from adopting the 
proposals in this notice are also invited. Substantive comments should 
be accompanied by cost estimates. Comments should identify the 
regulatory docket or notice number and should be submitted in 
triplicate to the Rules Docket address specified above. All comments 
received on or before the closing date for comments specified will be 
considered by the Administrator before taking action on this proposed 
rulemaking. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of comments received. All comments received will be available, 
both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules 
Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each 
substantive public contact with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
personnel concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed 
in the docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of 
their comments in response to this notice must include a preaddressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 27344.'' The postcard will be date stamped and mailed to 
the commenter.

Availability of NPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Public Affairs, 
Attention: Public Inquiry Center, APA-230, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267-3484. Communications 
must identify NPRM 93-71A.

Background

    On July 14, 1993, the FAA issued NPRM 93-71 (58 FR 38028), and the 
comment period closed November 12, 1993. The NPRM proposed to amend the 
airworthiness standards for commuter category airplanes by upgrading 
the seat restraint and seat cushion flammability requirements. On 
September 17, 1993, GAMA requested the FAA withdraw the proposal until 
additional supporting documentation was made available to the public. 
By letter dated October 4, 1993, the Joint Aviation Authority requested 
that the comment period be extended to enable the JAA Study Group 
additional time to review the proposal and prepare a recommendation.
    The FAA received an additional report on commuter airplane accident 
data analysis in October 1994. This report is the additional 
information that GAMA requested be available before the Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking was made available to the public for comment.

Conclusion

    In view of the possibility of obtaining additional technical 
information and to provide for a more consistent set of airworthiness 
standards, the FAA agrees that it would be in the public's best 
interest to reopen the comment period.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 23

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Signs and symbols.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 28, 1994.
Thomas E. McSweeny,
Director, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27391 Filed 11-3-94; 8:45 am]
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