[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 215 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29176]



[[Page 60745]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 89-NM-134-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A300, A310, and 
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 proposes the supersedure of an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes, that 
currently requires certain changes to the procedures in the airplane 
flight manual related to operation of the emergency lighting system. 
The NPRM also proposes to require a modification of the emergency 
lighting system, which would constitute terminating action for the AFM 
changes. In addition, the NPRM proposed to expand the applicability to 
include all A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes. Since the 
issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has 
issued separate rulemaking that proposes to require, among other 
things, the same actions described above. Accordingly, the proposed 
rule is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 227-2110; fax (425) 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 all Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 
series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on September 11, 1989 (54 FR 37470) 
(hereinafter referred to as ``the original NPRM''). The original NPRM 
would have superseded an existing airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable only to Model A300 series airplanes, that requires certain 
changes to the procedures in the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) related to operation of the emergency lighting system. The 
original NPRM also would have required a modification of the emergency 
lighting system, which would constitute terminating action for the AFM 
changes. The original NPRM also would have expanded the applicability 
to include all Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes. The 
original NPRM was prompted by flight crew reports that the Floor 
Proximity Emergency Escape Path Marking System (FPEEPMS), which is part 
of the airplane's emergency lighting system, did not illuminate 
automatically with loss of AC power. The proposed actions were intended 
to prevent lack of FPEEPMS lighting for evacuation in an emergency 
situation.

Actions That Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since the issuance of the original NPRM, the FAA has issued 
separate rulemaking that proposes to include, among other things, the 
actions contained in the original NPRM. (That separate rulemaking is a 
new NPRM, Rules Docket 98-NM-205-AD, published in the Federal Register 
on September 13, 1999 (64 FR 49420)).

FAA's Conclusions

    Because the separate rulemaking now incorporates, as part of its 
proposed required actions, the same actions that were proposed in the 
original NPRM, the FAA has determined that the original NPRM is 
unnecessary. 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 89-NM-134-
AD, published in the Federal Register on September 11, 1989 (54 FR 
37470), is withdrawn.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 2, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-29176 Filed 11-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P