Department of Transportation June 12, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes; and Model MD-10-10F airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the clamp bases for the fuel vent pipe with improved clamp bases. This proposed AD results from reports that the foil wrapping on existing plastic clamp bases has migrated out of position, which compromises the bonding of the fuel vent pipes to the airplane structure. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the fuel vent pipes are properly bonded to the airplane structure. Improper bonding could prevent electrical energy from a lightning strike from dissipating to the airplane structure, and create an ignition source, which could result in a fuel tank explosion.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine if the stiff part of the girt and girt bar position of the forward left-hand and right-hand passenger doors is incorrect, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from cases of girt bar disengagement from the floor fitting during deployment tests of slide rafts at the forward passenger doors. We are proposing this AD to prevent disengagement of the telescopic girt bar from the airplane when the door is opened in emergency situations, which could result in the inability to open the passenger door and to use the escape slide/raft at that door during an emergency evacuation of the airplane.

This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace at St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, Maryland. The development of an Area Navigation (RNAV), Standard instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) and Helicopter RNAV (GPS) 269 approach for the St. Joseph Medical Center to serve flights operating into the airport during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions makes this action necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing an approach. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PA. The development of an Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) and Helicopter RNAV (GPS) 135 approach for the Robert Packer Hospital to serve flights operating into the airport during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions makes this action necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing an approach. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 18, 2006, page 2982.

The FAA's Aircraft Certification Service publishes proposed non-regulatory documents that are available for public comment on the Internet at https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draftdocs/.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC130 B4 helicopters. This action requires inspecting the throttle twist grip (twist grip) assembly for any foreign body (chip or debris), any rotating micro-switch, and any micro-switch roller that does not move freely. If any unairworthy condition is found, this action requires that it be corrected before further flight. This amendment is prompted by two reports of a twist grip assembly jamming in the ``IDLE'' position. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and prevent jamming of the twist grip assembly, which, if present, could keep the engine from operating above idle speed and result in subsequent loss of control of the engine power of the helicopter.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect wear or damage of the door latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments, and replacement of any discrepant component with a new component. This new AD revises the applicability of the existing AD to refer to a later revision of the referenced service bulletin, which removes airplanes that are not subject to the identified unsafe condition. This AD results from reports of worn and damaged door latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments. We are issuing this AD to ensure deployment of an escape slide during an emergency evacuation. Non-deployment of an escape slide during an emergency could slow down the evacuation of the airplane and result in injury to passengers or flightcrew. We are also issuing this AD to detect damaged disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments, which could result in unexpected deployment of an escape slide during maintenance, and consequent injury to maintenance personnel.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Goodrich evacuation systems approved under TSO-C69b and installed on certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to determine the part number of the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems, and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that, during maintenance testing, the pressure relief valves on the affected Goodrich evacuation systems did not seal when activated, which caused the pressure in the escape slide/raft to drop below the minimum allowable raft mode pressure. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of pressure in the escape slides/rafts after an emergency evacuation, which could result in inadequate buoyancy to support the raft's passenger capacity during ditching, and increase the chance for injury to raft passengers.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes. That AD currently requires one-time inspections of the inner webs and flanges at frames 15, 18, 41, and 43 for evidence of corrosion or cracking; and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD instead requires new repetitive inspections and expands the area to be inspected. This new AD also expands the applicability and provides an optional action that would extend the repetitive inspection interval. This AD results from a report indicating that in some cases the inspections required by the existing AD revealed no damage, yet frame corrosion and cracking were later found during scheduled maintenance in the two forward fuselage frames 15 and 18. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

In this final rule, PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to adopt standards for the design, construction, maintenance and use of cylinders and multiple-element gas containers based on the standards contained in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Aligning the HMR with the international standards promotes greater flexibility, permits the use of advanced technology for the manufacture of pressure receptacles, provides for a broader selection of pressure receptacles, reduces the need for special permits, and facilitates international commerce in the transportation of compressed gases without sacrificing the current level of safety and without imposing undue burdens on the regulated community.