[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 48 (Friday, March 10, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 12957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5892]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 91-NM-96-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Industrie Model A300 B2-1C, B2K-
3C, and B2-203 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 B2 series airplanes. That action would have required 
a supersedure of an existing AD that currently requires a one-time 
visual inspection and ultrasonic inspection to detect cracks in the 
wing front spar webs, and repair, if necessary. The NPRM would have 
required a visual inspection and repetitive ultrasonic inspections to 
detect cracks in the front face of the front spar on both wings between 
ribs 10 and 11, and repair, if necessary. Since the issuance of the 
NPRM, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued separate 
rulemaking to require these same actions. 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rule is withdrawn.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 certain Airbus Model A300 B2 series 
airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on June 10, 1991 (56 FR 26621). The proposed 
rule would have superseded an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
that requires a one-time visual and ultrasonic inspection to detect 
cracks in the wing spar webs, and repair, if necessary. The proposed 
rule would have required a visual inspection and repetitive ultrasonic 
inspections to detect cracks in the front face of the front spar of 
both wings between ribs 10 and 11, and repair, if necessary. The 
proposed rule was prompted by a report of a crack found on an in-
service airplane in the wing front spar web between ribs 10 and 11. The 
proposed actions were intended to detect and correct cracking, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing front spar.

Actions That Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA issued an immediately 
adopted rule, AD 91-18-01, amendment 39-8004 (56 FR 40771, August 16, 
1991), which requires repetitive high frequency eddy current 
inspections to detect cracks in the vertical web of the wing front spar 
between ribs 10 and 11, and repair, if necessary. Accomplishment of 
those actions adequately addresses the unsafe condition identified in 
this NPRM.

FAA's Conclusions

    Since issuance of AD 91-18-01, the FAA has determined that the 
proposed actions of the NPRM (Docket 91-NM-96-AD) are unnecessary.
    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 13132, 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 91-NM-96-AD, 
published in the Federal Register on June 10, 1991 (56 FR 26621), is 
withdrawn.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 6, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5892 Filed 3-9-00; 8:45 am]
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