[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 17, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60926-60927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17185]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22806; Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron Model 206B 
Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 
proposed adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell 
Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 206B helicopters modified with 
Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) Supplemental Type Certificate 
(STC) No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW with energy attenuating seat 
installation wire (energy attenuating wire). The proposed AD would have 
required replacing certain energy attenuating wire with airworthy 
energy attenuating wire. Since issuing the proposed AD, we have 
determined that no unsafe condition exists with respect to the STC 
installed energy attenuating wire. 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withdrawn.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-2005-22806; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2005-SW-04-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Belhumeur, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, Rotorcraft Certification Office, 
Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0170, telephone (817) 222-5177, fax (817) 222-
5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR part 39) with an NPRM for a new AD for Bell Model 206B 
helicopters with AAI STC No. SH8435SW or SH8419SW. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2005 (70 FR 62085). 
The NPRM would have required replacing energy attenuating wire 
manufactured or invoiced during a specified time frame. The NPRM 
resulted from the disclosure that certain energy attenuating wire may 
not have the yield strength necessary to allow seats to attenuate 
energy during an emergency landing. The proposed actions were intended 
to prevent failure of a seat to attenuate energy during an emergency 
landing and resulting in injury to an occupant.

Actions Since NPRM Was Issued

    Since issuing the NPRM, we have determined that the seat with the 
affected energy attenuating wire will support the occupant adequately 
during an emergency landing and therefore no unsafe condition exists 
for Bell Model 206B helicopters modified with the two STCs.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, we have determined that the actions 
proposed in the NPRM are not needed for Bell Model 206B helicopters. 
Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM does not preclude the FAA from issuing 
another related action or commit the FAA to any course of action in the 
future.

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 Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

[[Page 60927]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2005-22806; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-SW-04-AD, which was published in the 
Federal Register on October 28, 2005 (70 FR 62085).

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 29, 2006.
Mark R. Schilling,
Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-17185 Filed 10-16-06; 8:45 am]
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