[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 140 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 43783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-16683]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-224-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -232 
and -233 Series Airplanes and Model A321-211, -231 and -232 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain 
Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -214, -232, and -233 series airplanes and 
Model A321-211, -231, and -232 series airplanes. That action would have 
required a one-time ultrasonic inspection of certain floor crossbeams 
to determine if they are of nominal thickness; and a structural 
modification to reinforce any crossbeam that is not of nominal 
thickness. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) has received new data showing that all airplanes 
subject to the NPRM have already been inspected and all incorrect 
crossbeams modified as required, which makes the NPRM unnecessary. 
Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add a new airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A320-211, -212, -
214, -232, and -233 series airplanes and Model A321-211, -231, and -232 
series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on March 17, 2004 (69 FR 12596). The 
proposed rule would have required a one-time ultrasonic inspection of 
certain floor crossbeams to determine if they were of nominal 
thickness; and a structural modification to reinforce any crossbeam 
that was not of nominal thickness. That action was prompted by reports 
that an Airbus quality check revealed that, due to a process 
discrepancy during production, certain floor structural crossbeams were 
manufactured that were not of nominal thickness and were installed in 
certain airplanes before the discrepancy was discovered. The proposed 
actions were intended to prevent reduced structural integrity of the 
floor in the event of rapid depressurization or rapid vertical 
acceleration.

Actions That Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has received reports from 
Airbus indicating that all airplanes listed in the applicability 
section of the NPRM (corresponding to paragraph 1.A., ``Effectivity,'' 
of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53A1162, including Appendix 01 and 
Appendix 02, dated June 25, 2002) have been inspected and all incorrect 
crossbeam fittings have been found and modified in accordance with 
Airbus Service Bulletin A320-53A1163, dated June 25, 2002.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that all 
airplanes subject to the proposed rule have already been inspected and 
repaired as needed and the proposed rule has become unnecessary. 
Accordingly, the proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not 
preclude the agency from issuing another action in the future, nor does 
it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

    Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking, 
it is neither a proposed nor a final rule 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, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 2002-NM-224-
AD, published in the Federal Register on March 17, 2004 (69 FR 12596), 
is withdrawn.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 13, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-16683 Filed 7-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P