[Federal Register: March 23, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 55)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14599]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr05-38]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-306-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-
20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series Airplanes; and Model DC-9-81
(MD-81) and DC-9-82 (MD-82) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
that proposed superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes.
That action would have required inspection for proper installation,
damage, or abrasion of the power feeder cables and trough
installations; proper installation of caterpillar grommets in the
lightening holes; and repair if necessary. The proposed rule also would
have required modification of the power feeder cable installation and
added airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. Since the
issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has received new data indicating that the
applicability and required actions of the existing AD adequately
address the unsafe condition that is identified in the existing AD.
Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elvin Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5344; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to supersede an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas
transport category airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as
a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on September 19, 2003 (68 FR
54864). The proposed rule would have required inspection for proper
installation, damage, or abrasion of the power feeder cables and trough
installations; proper installation of caterpillar grommets in the
lightening holes; and repair if necessary. The proposed rule also would
have required modification of the power feeder cable installation and
added airplanes to the applicability of existing AD 85-25-06, amendment
39-5177 (50 FR 49833, December 5, 1985). That action was prompted by
reports of chafing and/or abrasion of the power feeder cables and six
instances of shorted power feeder cables. The proposed actions were
intended to prevent a possible loss of electrical bus power, which
could result in a potential fire ignition source and consequent fire in
the cabin.
Actions That Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since the issuance of that NPRM, we have had clarification from the
manufacturer that no additional airplanes have been identified that may
be affected by the unsafe condition described above, other than those
specified in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-78, dated April
9, 1985. That service bulletin was specified in AD 85-25-06 as the
appropriate source of service information for that AD.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that, since DC-9
Service Bulletin 27-78, dated April 9, 1985, is the service information
cited in AD 85-25-06 and no additional airplanes have been identified
that may be affected by the unsafe condition, it is unnecessary to
supersede that AD. Accordingly, the proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.
Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not
preclude the agency from issuing another action in the future, nor does
it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.
Regulatory Impact
Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking,
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, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 2002-NM-306-
AD, published in the Federal Register on September 19, 2003 (68 FR
54864), is withdrawn.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 14, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5700 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
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