[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58357-58358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20076]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-78-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777 Series Airplanes 
Equipped With Pratt & Whitney Engines and Used in Extended Range Twin-
Engine Operations (ETOPS)

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 
Boeing Model 777 series airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney 
engines. That action would have required replacement of the integrated 
drive generator (IDG) and the backup generator with a new IDG and a new 
backup generator. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) has received new data that indicate that all 
affected airplanes worldwide have the proper parts installed and all 
spares are accounted for, and that the identified unsafe condition 
(loss of electrical power) cannot occur for the reasons specified by 
the NPRM. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Castillos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office; 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2864; fax (425) 227-1181.

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 Boeing Model 777 series airplanes 
equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines, was published in the Federal 
Register as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on January 5, 1998 
(63 FR 169). The proposed rule would have required replacement of the 
integrated drive generator (IDG) and the backup generator with a new 
IDG and a new backup generator. That action was prompted by reports of 
IDG shaft failure resulting from design problems in the hydraulic and 
mechanical systems of the generator, and by reports of backup generator 
failure resulting from the failure of the oil pressure switch. The 
proposed actions were intended to prevent continued degradation of the 
power system, and consequent loss of electrical power.

Actions That Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since the issuance of that NPRM, the FAA has received and confirmed 
reports indicating that all affected airplanes worldwide have the 
proper parts installed and that all spares are accounted for.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the unsafe 
condition identified in the NPRM (loss of electrical power) can no 
longer occur because of the reasons given in the NPRM. 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

[[Page 58358]]

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 97-NM-78-AD, 
published in the Federal Register on January 5, 1998 (63 FR 169), is 
withdrawn.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20076 Filed 10-5-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P