[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 141 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41743-41744]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11711]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23007; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-013-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 
proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model 
A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. The proposed AD would have required 
repetitive inspections for cracks and corrosion of the areas behind the 
scuff plates below the passenger/crew doors and bulk cargo door, and 
repair of any cracked or corroded part. The proposed AD also would have 
required repetitive inspections for cracks of the holes of the corner 
doublers, the fail-safe ring, and the door frames of the passenger/crew 
door structures. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have determined 
that that the proposed inspections and terminating action are 
essentially identical to those of another existing AD. Accordingly, the 
proposed AD is withdrawn.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2005-23007; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2005-NM-013-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1622; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR part 39) with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for a new 
AD for certain Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. That 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 
70048). The NPRM would have required repetitive inspections for cracks 
and corrosion of the areas behind the scuff plates below the passenger/
crew doors and bulk cargo door, and repair of any cracked or corroded 
part. The NPRM also would have required repetitive inspections for 
cracks of the holes of the corner doublers, the fail-safe ring, and the 
door frames of the passenger/crew door structures. The NPRM resulted 
from reports of corrosion behind the scuff plates at passenger/crew 
doors and the bulk cargo door and fatigue cracks on the corner doublers 
of the forward and aft passenger/crew door frames. The proposed actions 
were intended to prevent such corrosion and fatigue cracking, which 
could result in reduced structural integrity of the door surroundings.

Actions Since NPRM Was Issued

    Since we issued the NPRM, we realized that we had previously issued 
AD 98-16-06, amendment 39-10682 (63 FR 40819, July 31, 1998), for all 
Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. That AD requires inspections of the 
lower door surrounding structure to detect cracks and corrosion, and 
repair if necessary. That AD also requires inspections to detect 
cracking of the holes of the corner doublers, the fail-safe ring, and 
the door frames of the door structures; and repair if necessary. In 
addition, that AD also provides for an optional terminating action for 
certain inspections.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, we have determined that the inspections 
and terminating action in AD 98-16-06 are essentially identical to 
those specified in the NPRM. We are considering superseding AD 98-16-06 
to mandate the optional terminating action and refer to the latest 
service information. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

Regulatory Impact

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule and therefore is not covered under Executive Order 
12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT

[[Page 41744]]

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, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2005-23007, 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-013-AD, which was published in the 
Federal Register on November 21, 2005 (70 FR 70048).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-11711 Filed 7-21-06; 8:45 am]
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