Department of Transportation August 22, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes, and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This proposed AD would require modification of the logic of the steering system of the nose landing gear (NLG) wheel. This proposed AD results from the reports of the loss of directional control of the airplane on the ground after an internal failure of the NLG wheel steering system. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the NLG wheel steering system, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus model A300-600 and A310 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive visual inspections to detect corrosion on the lower rim area of the fuselage rear pressure bulkhead; and follow-on actions, if necessary. This proposed AD would require new repetitive inspections for corrosion on the rear pressure bulkhead between stringer (STGR) 27 (right hand) and STGR27 (left hand), and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require sending a report of certain information to the manufacturer. The proposed AD also would add airplanes to the applicability of the existing AD. This proposed AD results from findings of severe corrosion on airplanes previously inspected in accordance with the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion at the lower rim area of the fuselage rear pressure bulkhead, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the bulkhead, and consequent decompression of the cabin.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to determine (maintenance records check and/or inspection) whether certain nose landing gear (NLG), main landing gear (MLG), and MLG shock absorber assemblies with a serial number beginning with ``AM'' are installed, and, if installed, would require you to replace them with ones without the ``AM.'' This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct the NLG, MLG, and MLG shock absorber assemblies that are affected by hydrogen embrittlement, which could result in failure of the landing gear. This failure could lead to nose or main landing gear collapse during operation with consequent loss of airplane control.

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption, part 11 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains the disposition of certain petitions previously received. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 204: 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at McCook, NE.

These special conditions are issued for Gulfstream Model G150 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with side-facing single-occupant seats. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the valve control and indication wire bundles of the fuel system of the wing rear spar for discrepancies, and corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by reports of six incidents of the wire bundles chafing against the rear spar stiffeners outside the fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent this chafing, which could result in wire damage leading to a short circuit, subsequent ignition of flammable vapors, and possible uncontrollable fire during fueling or flight.

The FAA is revising Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-19-15 for all Tiger Aircraft LLC (Type Certificate A16EA formerly held by American General Aircraft Corporation and Grumman American Aviation Corporation) Models AA-5, AA-5A, AA-5B, and AG-5B airplanes. AD 95-19- 15 currently requires you to inspect the wing attach shoulder bolts for fretting, scoring, wear, or enlarged or elongated mounting holes (known as damage from hereon); replace any damaged parts; repair any damaged areas; inspect the wing spar at the center spar clearance gap for excessive clearance; and shim the spar if excessive clearance is found. That AD was written to apply to all serial numbers of all models. A design change was made in this area beginning with serial number 10175 of the Model AG-5B airplanes. Therefore, the action should not apply to Model AG-5B airplanes with a serial number of 10175 or higher. This AD retains all the actions of AD 95-19-15 for all airplanes originally affected, but cuts off the applicability for the Model AG-5B airplanes at serial number 10174. We are issuing this AD to continue to prevent wing attach shoulder bolt failure, which, if not detected and corrected, could lead to structural damage of the wing/fuselage to the point of failure.