[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 29, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52364-52365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21986]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; LET, a.s. Model L-420 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; Withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This document withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that would have applied to all LET, a.s. (LET) Model L-420 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 LET airplanes) that occurred in icing conditions where the 
airframe pneumatic deicing boots were not activated. LET only 
manufactured one Model L-420 airplane and LET controls that airplane. 
For an unsafe condition to exist, there must be a condition that could 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design. Because 
there is only one affected airplane, an AD is not necessary 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-39-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 LET Model L-420 airplanes that are 
equipped with pneumatic deicing boots. The proposal was published in 
the Federal Register as an NPRM on October 8, 1999 (64 FR 54801). 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. LET provided a 
comment to the proposed AD. Our analysis and disposition of this 
comment follow:

Comment Disposition

    What is the commenter's concern? LET states that it only 
manufactured one Model L-420 airplane and controls this airplane. LET 
will work with the FAA to revise the AFM to incorporate appropriate AFM 
language to address this condition for this airplane and any 
manufactured in the future. LET requests that FAA withdraw the NPRM 
because, for an unsafe condition to exist, there must be a condition 
that could exist or develop on airplanes of the same type design.
    What is FAA's response to the concern? Since LET only manufactured 
one Model L-420 airplane and LET controls that airplane, we have 
determined that an AD is not necessary.

[[Page 52365]]

We will withdraw the NPRM per the LET 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-39-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-39-AD, published in the Federal Register on October 8, 
1999 (64 FR 54801).

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 23, 2000.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-21986 Filed 8-28-00; 8:45 am]
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