Airworthiness Directives; Cessna Aircraft Company Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 411, 411A, and 414A Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Proposed rules; Withdrawal.

SUMMARY:

This document withdraws two notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) that would have applied to Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 411, 411A, and 414A airplanes. The proposed ADs would have superseded existing ADs and would have required you to repetitively inspect the wing spar caps of all airplanes for fatigue cracks and repair or replace as necessary and incorporate a spar strap modification on each wing spar on certain airplanes. The FAA has decided not to issue the new ADs as proposed. We will propose ADs after alternative solutions are developed.

ADDRESSES:

You may view the AD dockets at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-05-AD or Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-57-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Paul Nguyen, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4125; facsimile: (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What action has FAA taken to date? We issued proposals to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include two ADs that would apply to Cessna Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 402C, 411, and 411A, 414A airplanes. These proposals (Docket Nos. 2002-CE-05-AD and 2002-CE-57-AD) were published in the Federal Register as notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) on May 15, 2003 (68 FR 26239 and 68 FR 26244). The NPRMs proposed the following:

• Docket No. 2002-CE-05-AD: applies to Cessna Models 401, 401A, 401B, 402, 402A, 402B, 411, and 411A airplanes and proposed to supersede AD 79-10-15 R2 with a new AD that would require one of the following (depending on the aircraft configuration):

—For airplanes that do not incorporate one of the specified Cessna Service Kits: Repetitively inspect the wing spar caps for fatigue cracks and repair or replace the wing spar caps as necessary and incorporate a spar strap modification on each wing spar; or

—For airplanes that incorporate one of the specified Cessna Service Kits: Repetitively inspect the wing spar caps for fatigue cracks and repair or replace the wing spar caps as necessary.

• Docket No. 2002-CE-57-AD: applies to Cessna Models 402C and 414A airplanes and proposed to supersede AD 2000-23-01 with a new AD that would require you to:

—Inspect the wing spar caps for fatigue cracks;

—Repair or replace the wing spar caps as necessary; and

—Incorporate a spar strap modification on each wing spar.

Was the public invited to comment? The FAA invited interested persons to participate in the making of these amendments during the original 75-day comment periods. We extended the comment periods for another 30 days and then reopened the comment periods for another 60 days. We received numerous comments on the NPRMs.

In addition, we held a public meeting on March 3 and 4, 2004, in Herndon, Virginia. The public meeting allowed an open flow of communication among the FAA, the public, and industry on issues related to the NPRMs.

What is FAA's determination of the best course of action? After analyzing all information related to this subject, the FAA has decided not to issue the ADs as proposed. We have determined that the best way to address the unsafe condition is for FAA, the public, and industry to develop alternative solutions to address the unsafe condition. We will repropose ADs after alternative solutions are developed.

Future Action

Does this mean the FAA cannot take regulatory action in the future? No. Withdrawal of these NPRMs does not prevent us from issuing other regulatory action in the future, and it does not commit us to any future action. In fact, we plan to propose and issue further rulemaking on this subject after alternative solutions are identified and developed. We fully expect one of the options in such a proposed action would be the incorporation of the Cessna service information and repetitive inspections with appropriate compliance schedules.

How can I be part of the solution? The FAA, the public, and industry need to continue the discussion on this issue. The FAA is planning a second public meeting. Details of this meeting will be published in the Federal Register and made available on the Internet.

Regulatory Impact

Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? Since this action only withdraws two proposed ADs, it is not an AD 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, FAA withdraws the following notices of proposed rulemaking:

• Docket No. 2002-CE-05-AD, which was published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2003 (68 FR 26239); and
• Docket No. 2002-CE-57-AD, which was published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2003 (68 FR 26244).