[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 160 (Thursday, August 19, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 45211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21574]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-206-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 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
Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. That action would have required
replacement of the existing retaining bolt of the attendant seat lap
belt with a new bolt and a washer. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received new data indicating
that the proposed action has already been accomplished on all affected
airplanes. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meghan Gordon, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2207; fax (425) 227-1181.
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 Boeing Model 767 series
airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on June 6, 1997 (62 FR 31020). The proposed
rule would have required replacement of the existing retaining bolt of
the attendant seat lap belt with a new bolt and a washer. That action
was prompted by reports indicating that, due to a missing washer, the
belt end fittings of the double flight attendant seats can become
loose. The proposed actions were intended to ensure that a washer
between the bolt head and bushing is installed. A missing washer could
allow movement of the belt end fittings, which can cause the restraint
belts to release and, consequently, result in injury to the flight
attendants.
Actions Since Issuance of the NPRM
Since the issuance of that NPRM, the FAA has received a comment
from the airplane manufacturer indicating that the replacement of the
existing retaining bolt of the attendant seat lap belt with a new bolt
and a washer, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0217,
dated January 13, 1994, has been accomplished on all affected
airplanes. Though the manufacturer did not provide documentation to
support its statement, the FAA also has received substantiating
documentation from each affected operator that the service bulletin has
been incorporated on its fleet of airplanes. In the case of one
operator, the FAA contacted the Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI)
to determine whether the replacement had been accomplished on that
operator's affected airplanes. The PMI verified that the service
bulletin had been accomplished on all affected airplanes in that
operator's fleet.
In addition, the airplane manufacturer has also updated the
Illustrated Parts Catalog to include the washer that corrects the
unsafe condition in the seat assembly; therefore, the unsafe condition
is not likely to be reintroduced in the future.
FAA's Conclusions
Based upon the FAA's review of the data submitted by the affected
operators and the airplane manufacturer, the FAA has determined that
the previously identified unsafe condition no longer exists.
Accordingly, the proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.
Withdrawal of this notice of proposed rulemaking 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 96-NM-206-
AD, published in the Federal Register on June 6, 1997 (62 FR 31020), is
withdrawn.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 13, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21574 Filed 8-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U