[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 75116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31883]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Parts 121, 125, 135, and 145

[Docket No. FA-2000-7952]
RIN 2120-A113


Service Difficulty Reports

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT

ACTION: Final rule; delay of effective date.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is further delaying 
the effective date of a final rule that amends the reporting 
requirements for air carriers and certificated domestic and foreign 
repair station operators concerning failures, malfunctions, and defects 
of aircraft, aircraft engines, systems, and components. This action is 
prompted by the FAA's decision to address industry concerns about the 
final rule. Delaying the effective date of the final rule will allow 
the agency time for consideration of industry concerns.

DATES: The effective date of the rule amending 14 CFR parts 121, 125, 
135, and 145 published at 65 FR 56191 (Sept. 15, 2000) and most 
recently delayed at 67 FR 78970 (Dec. 27, 2002) is further delayed from 
January 16, 2004, until January 30, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jose E. Figueroa, Flight Standards 
Service, Tampa Flight Standards District Office, 5601 Mariner Street, 
Suite 310, Tampa, Florida 33609-3413, telephone 813-287-4932.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On September 15, 2000, the FAA published the final rule entitled 
``Service Difficulty Reports'' (65 FR 56191). We also requested 
comments on the information collection requirements. The final rule, 
which had an effective date of January 16, 2001, amended the reporting 
requirements for air carriers and certificated domestic and foreign 
repair station operators concerning failures, malfunctions, and defects 
of aircraft, aircraft engines, systems, and components. The FAA 
received extensive written comments on the Service Difficulty Reporting 
(SDR) requirements and on the potential duplicate reporting of certain 
failures, malfunctions, and defects.
    On November 30, 2000, the FAA announced (65 FR 71247) that a public 
meeting on this rulemaking would be held on December 11, 2000. 
Participants at that meeting raised novel issues that the FAA was not 
aware of when preparing the final rule.
    As a result of the concerns expressed at the meeting and those 
raised during the comment period for information collection 
requirements on the final rule, the FAA delayed the effective date on 
four separate occasions to January 16, 2004. The purpose of these 
delays was to allow the agency time to consider industry's concerns and 
to consider issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). 
Unfortunately, we have not completed action on this initiative, and a 
further delay of the effective date is necessary to allow additional 
time for us to address industry concerns.

Related Activity

Revised Aeronautical Repair Station Regulations

    On August 6, 2001, the FAA published revisions to its repair 
station rule (66 FR 41088). As a part of that action, we removed 
Sec. Sec.  145.63 and 145.79, and created a new Sec.  145.221 to 
contain SDR requirements for repair stations. The FAA intends for the 
Sec.  145.221 amendment to take effect on January 31, 2004, concurrent 
with other repair station requirements (see 66 FR 41088 (Aug. 6, 2001) 
delayed until Jan. 31, 2004, at 68 FR 55819 (Sept. 29, 2003).)

Good Cause for Immediate Adoption

    Since the delay in the effective date of the final rule does not 
impose any new requirements or any additional burden on the regulated 
public, the FAA finds that good cause exists for immediate adoption of 
the new effective date without a 30-day notice.

The Effect of Our Decision

    Our decision delays the effective date of the SDR final rule from 
January 16, 2004 until January 31, 2006. The FAA cautions the industry 
that the existing rules will remain in effect until the new dates are 
effective, with the exception of the Sec.  145.221 amendment that will 
be effective on January 31, 2004.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 19, 2003.
Marion Blakey
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-31883 Filed 12-23-03; 8:45 am]
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