[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 29, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52363-52364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21985]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-45-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 208, 
208A, and 208B Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; Withdrawal.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that would have applied to all Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 
208, 208A, and 208B airplanes. The proposed AD would have required you 
to revise the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include requirements for 
activation of the airframe pneumatic deicing boots. The proposed AD was 
the result of reports of in-flight incidents and an accident (on 
airplanes other than the referenced Cessna airplanes) that occurred in 
icing conditions where the airframe pneumatic deicing boots were not 
activated. Cessna has demonstrated that the design of the affected 
airplanes, including the language currently in the AFM, is adequate to 
address the conditions identified in the proposed AD for these 
airplanes. Therefore, AD action is not necessary to address the

[[Page 52364]]

conditions on these airplanes and we are withdrawing the NPRM.

ADDRESSES: You may look at information related to this action at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-45-AD, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Larry E. Werth, Airworthiness 
Directive Coordinator, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4147; 
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What action has FAA taken to date? We issued a proposal to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include 
an AD that would apply to all Cessna Models 208, 208A, and 208B 
airplanes that are equipped with pneumatic deicing boots. The proposal 
was published in the Federal Register as an NPRM on October 12, 1999 
(64 FR 55181). The NPRM proposed to require revising the Limitations 
Section of the AFM to include requirements for activation of pneumatic 
deicing boots at the first sign of ice accumulation on the airplane.
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA invited interested 
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We received a 
comment on the proposed AD from Cessna. Our analysis and disposition of 
this comment follow:

Comment Disposition

    What is the commenter's concern? Cessna provides data it believes 
demonstrates that the design of the affected airplanes, including the 
language currently in the AFM, is adequate to address the conditions 
identified in the proposed AD for these airplanes. Therefore, Cessna 
requests that FAA withdraw the NPRM.
    What is FAA's response to the concern? After evaluating the data 
that Cessna submitted, we have determined that the design of the 
affected airplanes, including the language currently in the AFM, is 
adequate to address the conditions identified in the proposed AD for 
these airplanes. We will withdraw the NPRM per the Cessna request.

The FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? Based on the above 
information, we have determined that there is no need for the NPRM, 
Docket No. 99-CE-45-AD, and that we should withdraw it.
    Withdrawal of this NPRM does not prevent us from issuing another 
notice in the future, nor will it commit us to any course of action in 
the future.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? Since 
this action only withdraws a proposed AD, it is not an AD 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, FAA withdraws the notice of proposed rulemaking, 
Docket No. 99-CE-45-AD, published in the Federal Register on October 
12, 1999 (64 FR 55181).

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 23, 2000.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-21985 Filed 8-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P