Department of Transportation March 30, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Model GV and certain Model GV-SP series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required a one-time inspection of the left and right aileron and elevator actuators to determine the part and serial numbers of each actuator, repetitive inspections of suspect actuators to detect broken damper shafts, and replacement of any actuator having a broken damper shaft. The original NPRM would also have required that operators report any broken damper shaft they find to the FAA. The original NPRM would also have provided an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of the proposed AD. The original NPRM resulted from reports of broken or cracked damper shafts within the aileron and elevator actuator assemblies. This action revises the original NPRM by proposing to mandate the previously optional terminating action. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent broken damper shafts, which could result in locking of an aileron or elevator actuator (hard-over condition), which would activate the hard-over protection system (HOPS), resulting in increased pilot workload and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD would require, for the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer, repetitive detailed inspections for discrepancies; repetitive lubrication of the ballnut and ballscrew; repetitive measurements of the freeplay between the ballnut and the ballscrew; and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of extensive corrosion of a ballscrew in the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer on a Boeing Model 757 airplane, which is similar in design to the ballscrew on certain Model 777 airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent an undetected failure of the primary load path for the ballscrew in the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent wear and failure of the secondary load path, which could lead to loss of control of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, SR 6247 from SR0247 to SR 1012 (Salem Road) Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania and those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319-131, -132, and -133; A320-232 and -233; and A321-131, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for cracks or failure of the primary load path components of the engine forward mount, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also requires removing, re-installing, and re-torquing the attachment bolts for the secondary load path. This AD results from a report that, during modification of certain engine forward mount assemblies of the left and right engines done at an engine shop visit, an incorrect torque was applied to the attachment bolts. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the secondary load path of the forward engine mount, which, if combined with failure of the primary load path, could result in separation of the engine from the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A321-100 and -200 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the crashworthiness pins on the side-stay of the main landing gear (MLG) with new pins having an increased internal notch diameter. This AD results from testing on the side-stay crashworthiness pins on the MLG, which revealed that, in the case of an emergency landing, the crashworthiness pins installed will not ensure a correct MLG collapse. We are issuing this AD to prevent a punctured fuel tank, which could cause damage to the airplane or injury to passengers.