[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 169 (Wednesday, August 30, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52675-52676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22125]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-48-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. Models 
SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 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 Short Brothers & Harland Ltd. (Shorts) 
Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 Series 3 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 Shorts airplanes) that 
occurred in icing conditions where the airframe pneumatic deicing boots 
were not activated. Since issuing this NPRM, we have found that all of 
the affected airplanes incorporate a freezing point fluid system. These 
airplanes do not have pneumatic deicing boots. Therefore, we have 
determined that the unsafe condition defined in the NPRM does not exist 
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-48-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.

[[Page 52676]]


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 Shorts Models SC-7 Series 2 and SC-7 
Series 3 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 55197). 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 did not 
receive any comments on the proposed rule.
    What additional information has FAA found? The FAA has found that 
all of the affected airplanes incorporate a freezing point fluid 
system. These airplanes do not have deice boots. Therefore, FAA has 
determined that the unsafe condition defined in the NPRM does not exist 
on these airplanes.

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-48-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-48-AD, published in the Federal Register on October 
12, 1999 (64 FR 55197).

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 23, 2000.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-22125 Filed 8-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P