[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 110 (Monday, June 8, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35015-35016]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12226]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0484; Product Identifier 2019-NM-065-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking (SNPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would have applied to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 
Freighter, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series 
airplanes. The SNPRM would have required repetitive tests of affected 
free fall actuators (FFAs), and replacement of any affected FFA that 
fails a test with a serviceable FFA; as specified in European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0164, dated July 11, 2019 (``EASA 
AD 2019-0164''). Since issuance of the SNPRM, the FAA has determined 
that the SNPRM does not adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. Accordingly, the SNPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: As of June 8, 2020, the proposed rule, which was published in 
the Federal Register on January 21, 2020 (85 FR 3279), is withdrawn.

ADDRESSES: 

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0484; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this AD action, any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is 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: Vladimir Ulyanov, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3229.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued an SNPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
adding an AD that would have applied to the specified products. The 
SNPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2020 (85 FR 
3279). The SNPRM was prompted by a report that an airplane failed to 
extend its nose landing gear (NLG) using the free fall method, due to 
loss of the green hydraulic system. The SNPRM proposed to require 
repetitive tests of affected FFAs, and replacement of any affected FFA 
that fails a test with a serviceable FFA; as specified in EASA AD 2019-
0164, dated July 11, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0164'').

Actions Since the SNPRM Was Issued

    Since issuance of the SNPRM, EASA AD 2019-0164 has been replaced by 
EASA AD 2020-0076, dated March 30, 2020 (``EASA AD 2020-0076''), and 
the FAA has determined that the SNPRM does not adequately address the 
unsafe condition. In light of these changes, the FAA is considering 
further rulemaking.
    Withdrawal of the SNPRM constitutes only such action and does not 
preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it 
commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the SNPRM 
does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition. 
Accordingly, the SNPRM is withdrawn.

Regulatory Findings

    Since this action only withdraws an SNPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule. This action 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, the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 
No. FAA-2019-0484, which was published in the Federal Register on 
January 21, 2020 (85 FR 3279), is withdrawn.


[[Page 35016]]


    Issued on June 1, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-12226 Filed 6-5-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P