[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 52148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22258]



[[Page 52148]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-05-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE Models TB 
9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, 
Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C 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 SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE (SOCATA) 
Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 
150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes. The 
proposed AD would have required you to replace certain safety belts and 
restraint systems. Comments received on the NPRM suggest that FAA 
withdraw the proposal and that FAA consider issuing a new NPRM to 
propose that you do similar actions on any aircraft that incorporates 
the affected seatbelts, not just the SOCATA airplanes. We agree and are 
withdrawing the NPRM.

ADDRESSES: You may look at information related to this action at FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2003-CE-05-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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; 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 
SOCATA Models TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, 
Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes. This 
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on March 7, 2003 (68 FR 11015). The NPRM proposed to 
require you to replace certain safety belts and restraint systems.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA invited interested persons to participate in the making of 
this amendment. We received 23 comments from 3 commenters on the 
proposed AD. The majority of the comments reflect the public's desire 
to have FAA withdraw the proposal and recommend that FAA consider 
issuing an NPRM to:

--Inspect certain safety belts and restraint systems that are installed 
in airplanes for defects and service life limits;
--Repair defective safety belts and restraint systems that have not 
reached service life limits; and
--Replace safety belts and restraint systems that have reached service 
life limits.

    The commenters request that these actions apply to any aircraft 
that incorporates the affected seatbelts, not just the SOCATA 
airplanes.

The FAA's Analysis and Final Determination

Is There Additional Information Related to This Subject?

    The following information applies to the subject of this AD Action:

--The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, has issued French ADs Number 2002-
104(AB), Revision 2; and Number 2002-105(AB) Revision 2;
--The above French ADs are equipment-related ADs and apply to all 
aircraft equipped with certain Anjou Aeronautique (ANJOU) (formerly TRW 
Repa S.A., formerly L'AIGLON) safety belts and restraint systems; and
--Aircraft that are equipped with the Anjou safety belts and restraint 
systems include small airplanes, transport airplanes, and helicopters.

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    Based on this information, we have determined that we should 
withdraw the NPRM and initiate a separate AD action (NPRM) for certain 
ANJOU safety belts and restraint systems that are installed in 
aircraft.
    Withdrawal of this NPRM does not prevent us from issuing another 
notice in the future, nor does it commit us to any future action.

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. 2003-CE-05-AD, which was published in the Federal Register 
on March 7, 2003 (68 FR 11015).

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 25, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22258 Filed 8-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P