Department of Transportation September 1, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 (CL- 604) airplanes and Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. These models may be referred to by their marketing designations as RJ100, RJ200, CRJ100, CRJ200, and CL-65. This AD requires revising the Emergency Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flightcrew of additional procedures to follow in the event of stabilizer trim runaway. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires revising the Abnormal Procedures section of the AFM to advise the flightcrew of procedures to follow in the event of MACH TRIM, STAB TRIM, and horizontal stabilizer trim malfunctions. This AD results from reports of uncommanded horizontal stabilizer trim motion. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is advised of appropriate procedures to follow in the event of stabilizer trim runaway. Failure to follow these procedures could result in excessive uncommanded movement of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) and loss of ability to use trim switches to override uncommanded movement or yoke disconnect switches to disconnect the HSTA, which could result in reduction of or loss of pitch trim control and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

This document proposes amendments to certain provisions of the early warning reporting rule published pursuant to the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act. This document proposes to modify and clarify some of the manufacturers' reporting requirements under the rule. It would identify a subclass of field reports referred to as product evaluation reports and eliminate the requirement that manufacturers submit copies of them to the agency, revise the definition of fire, modify reporting relating to fuel systems on medium-heavy vehicles and buses, and limit the time period for required updates to a few data elements in reports of deaths and injuries.

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-17-51, sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight and at specified intervals, certain visual inspections of each tailpipe assembly for a crack and for overheating. If you find areas of overheating, this AD also requires, before further flight, certain inspections for damage to the surrounding structure, outside of the cowling, and inside of each tailpipe assembly in certain areas. This AD also requires, before further flight, if you find a crack, replacing the tailpipe assembly with an airworthy tailpipe assembly. This AD is prompted by several reports of tailpipe assembly cracks. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a fire due to the structure in the cowling area overheating, separation of a part of a tailpipe assembly, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 relating to airspace designations to reflect the approval by the Director of the Federal Register of the incorporation by reference of FAA Order 7400.9P, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points. This action also explains the procedures the FAA will use to amend the listings of Class A, B, C, D, and E airspace areas; air traffic service routes; and reporting points incorporated by reference.

This final rule amends FAA regulations for issuing airworthiness certificates to certain new aircraft manufactured in the United States. These changes are necessary because under the current regulations, certain new aircraft are eligible for a standard airworthiness certificate without meeting the requirements of a type certificate (TC) and without having been manufactured under an FAA production approval. These changes are intended to ensure that new aircraft manufactured in the United States and issued a standard airworthiness certificate are type certificated and manufactured under an FAA production approval. This final rule also incorporates requirements contained in laws recently passed by Congress. These changes ensure that any person who manufactures or alters an aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller based on a TC or supplemental type certificate (STC) either holds the certificate or has permission from the certificate holder. This amendment also includes language that allows a person to manufacture one new aircraft based on a TC without holding the TC or having a licensing agreement from the TC holder, provided manufacture of the aircraft began before August 5, 2004.