[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 181 (Wednesday, September 19, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18449]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 181 / Wednesday, September 19, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 53488]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18583; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-285-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, 
-200B, -200C, -300, -400, and -400D Series Airplanes; and Model 747SR 
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 Boeing Model 
747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -300, -400, and -400D series 
airplanes; and Model 747SR series airplanes. The proposed AD would have 
required repetitive inspections of the forward corner reveal of the 
number 3 main entry doors (MEDs) for cracking, and corrective actions 
if necessary. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have received 
comments for the NPRM and new data showing other issues related to the 
unsafe condition. The data include reports that additional airplanes 
are affected by the identified unsafe condition; and that a ``sharp 
edge'' detail may be present on certain one-piece machined 6061 
aluminum reveals, which could lead to fatigue cracking. We have 
determined from these data that the corrective actions proposed by the 
NPRM are inadequate for addressing the identified unsafe condition. We 
are considering requiring other rulemaking, which provides corrective 
actions for the identified unsafe condition. 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AD is withdrawn.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 Operations office between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the 
ground floor of the West Building, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-18583; 
Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-285-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; 
fax (425) 917-6590.

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 Boeing Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -
300, -400, and -400D series airplanes; and Model 747SR series 
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 13, 
2004 (69 FR 41997). The NPRM would have required repetitive inspections 
of the lower forward corner reveal of the number 3 main entry doors 
(MEDs) for cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM 
resulted from reports of cracking in the forward corner reveal of the 
number 3 MEDs. The proposed actions were intended to detect and correct 
misalignment of the girt bar fitting due to fatigue failure of the 
forward corner reveal of the number 3 MEDs, which could lead to the 
door escape slide departing from the airplane if the door is opened 
when the slide is deployed, and consequent injuries to passengers and 
crew using the door escape slide during an emergency evacuation.

Actions Since NPRM Was Issued

    Since we issued the NPRM, we have received comments for the NPRM 
and new data showing other issues related to the unsafe condition. The 
data include reports that additional airplanes, on which a one-piece 
machined 6061 aluminum reveal is installed, are affected by the 
identified unsafe condition. In addition, a ``sharp edge'' detail may 
be present on certain one-piece machined 6061 aluminum reveals, which 
could lead to fatigue cracking. We have determined from these data that 
the corrective actions proposed by the NPRM are inadequate for 
addressing the identified unsafe condition. We are considering 
requiring other rulemaking, which provides corrective actions for the 
identified unsafe condition.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, we have determined that the corrective 
actions proposed by the NPRM are inadequate for addressing the 
identified unsafe condition. 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).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2004-18583; 
Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-285-AD, which was published in the 
Federal Register on July 13, 2004 (69 FR 41997).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18449 Filed 9-18-07; 8:45 am]
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