[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 102 (Wednesday, May 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30485-30486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12258]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0541; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-097-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

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

[[Page 30486]]


ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 
would supersede certain existing airworthiness directives (ADs) for The 
Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200PF, and -200CB series airplanes. The 
NPRM proposed to require a determination of the type of trailing edge 
wedges of the leading edge slats, repetitive inspections on certain 
trailing edge wedges for areas of skin-to-core disbonding, and 
corrective actions if necessary; and proposed to revise the 
applicability of the existing ADs to include additional airplanes. The 
NPRM also provided an optional terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections. Since we issued the NPRM, we have determined that the 
manufacturer's service information is inadequate to accomplish the 
actions necessary to address the unsafe condition. Once the 
manufacturer has issued new service information to address the unsafe 
condition, we may issue new rulemaking action that positively addresses 
the unsafe condition identified in the NPRM. Accordingly, the NPRM is 
withdrawn.

DATES: As of May 28, 2014, the proposed rule, which was published in 
the Federal Register on July 2, 2013 (78 FR 39633), is withdrawn.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0541; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD action, the NPRM (78 FR 39633, July 2, 2013), the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6440; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

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 to supersede AD 90-23-06, Amendment 39-6794 (55 FR 46499, November 
5, 1990; AD 91-22-51, Amendment 39-8129 (57 FR 781, January 9, 1992; 
and AD 2005-07-08, Amendment 39-14032 (70 FR 16403, March 31, 2005), 
for certain Model 757-200, -200PF, and -200CB series airplanes. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 2, 2013 (78 FR 39633). 
The NPRM proposed to require a determination of the type of trailing 
edge wedges of the leading edge slats, repetitive inspections on 
certain trailing edge wedges for areas of skin-to-core disbonding, and 
corrective actions if necessary; and proposed to revise the 
applicability of ADs 90-23-06, 91-22-51, and 2005-07-08 to include 
additional airplanes. The NPRM also provided an optional terminating 
action for the repetitive inspections. The NPRM was prompted by reports 
of slat disbonding on airplanes on which the terminating actions of ADs 
90-23-06, 91-22-51, and 2005-07-08 were completed; and we have received 
reports of slats disbonding on airplanes outside of the applicability 
of ADs 90-23-06, 91-22-51, and 2005-07-08.

Actions Since the NPRM (78 FR 39633, July 2, 2013) Was Issued

    Since we issued the NPRM (78 FR 39633, July 2, 2013), we have 
determined that the manufacturer's service information is inadequate to 
accomplish the actions necessary to address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Conclusions

    We have determined that the unsafe condition identified in the NPRM 
(78 FR 39633, July 2, 2013) still exists. Once the manufacturer has 
issued new service information to address the unsafe condition, we may 
issue new rulemaking action that positively addresses the unsafe 
condition identified in the NPRM. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM (78 FR 39633, July 2, 2013) does not 
preclude the FAA from issuing the related actions or commit the FAA to 
any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

    Since this action only withdraws the NPRM (78 FR 39633, July 2, 
2013), 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2013-0541, 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-097-AD, which published in the Federal 
Register on July 2, 2013 (78 FR 39633).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12258 Filed 5-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P