Department of Transportation December 10, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747- 200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the station (STA) 1241 bulkhead fittings just above the canted pressure deck; a one-time determination of the edge margin at seven fastener positions on each side of the airplane; and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report that an operator found a 1.65- inch crack on the STA 1241 bulkhead fitting on the left side of a Boeing Model 747-200F series airplane that had accumulated 17,332 total flight cycles. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the STA 1241 bulkhead fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a petition submitted pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30162 by Mr. Richard H. McSwain of McSwain Engineering Inc. to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), received June 29, 2007, requesting that the agency commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect related to motor vehicle safety with respect to the manual seatback recliner mechanism in model year 1989-1992 Ford Probe vehicles (subject vehicles). After a review of the petition and other information, NHTSA has concluded that further expenditure of the agency's investigative resources on the issues raised by the petition does not appear to be warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition. The petition is hereinafter identified as DP07-001.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this AD requires modifying the stowage bin ladder of zone E, installing new intercostals, removing existing tie rods, and installing new tie rods. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires modifying the lateral shear beam. This AD results from a report indicating that the overhead lateral shear beam aft of main entry door number 5 reacts to certain loads from the weight of the center stowage bins of zone E and additional loads. We are issuing this AD to prevent detachment of the center stowage bins of zone E at forward load levels less than 9g during an emergency landing, which could cause injury to passengers and/or crew and could impede subsequent rapid evacuation.

These special conditions are issued to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., for an Amended Type Certificate for the Model PC-12/47E airplane. This airplane will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisaged in the applicable airworthiness standards. These novel and unusual design features include the installation of electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) displays Model APEX manufactured by Honeywell for which the applicable regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate airworthiness standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to the airworthiness standards applicable to these airplanes.

These special conditions are issued to Honda Aircraft Company, for a Type Certificate for the HA-420 Hondajet airplane. This airplane will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisaged in the applicable airworthiness standards. These novel and unusual design features include the installation of electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) displays Model G1000 manufactured by Garmin for which the applicable regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate airworthiness standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to the airworthiness standards applicable to these airplanes.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-300F series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the rotomolded duct(s) of the mix manifold system with new duct(s). This AD results from a report of failures of the duct joint seal of the mix manifold system. We are issuing this AD to prevent air conditioning leakage into the mix manifold bay. Such leakage could decrease the air flow to the flight compartment and main cabin or could allow smoke into the flight compartment in the event of a fire in the main cabin or forward cargo compartment.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; and all Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to determine the part number of the sliding rods of the main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuators. For MLG retraction actuators equipped with sliding rods having certain part numbers, the AD also requires inspecting for discrepancies, including but not limited to cracking, of the sliding rod; and performing corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires returning affected sliding rods to the manufacturer. This AD results from a report of a failure of a sliding rod of the MLG retraction actuator before the actuator reached the life limit established by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the sliding rod of the MLG retraction actuator, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the MLG.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The aviation authority of Italy, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. That AD currently requires a onetime inspection for end play in the pitch control rod assembly double bearing (bearing) using the tail rotor (T/ R) hub control plate, and before further flight, replacing the bearing if end play is present. This amendment requires checking the T/R gearbox (TGB) oil level before the first flight of the day and maintaining the oil at the maximum level for certain helicopters. Also, this action requires, during each required inspection or at certain specified intervals, ensuring the oil is at the maximum level for certain other model helicopters. This action also requires inspecting the magnetic plug for chips at specified intervals. Depending on the quantity of chips found, this action requires either replacing the TGB before further flight or further inspecting for axial play in the T/R hub pitch change control spider (spider). If axial play is found in the spider, before further flight, this AD requires replacing the bearing. This amendment is prompted by the finding that metal chips were not detected on the magnetic plug due to insufficient oil flow because the oil in the TGB was being maintained at the minimum level. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect metal chips on the magnetic plug, to prevent damage to the bearing resulting in end play, loss of T/R pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new and revised structural inspections and inspection intervals. This AD results from issuance of new and revised structural inspections and inspection intervals. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of either the aft side or forward side of the aft pressure bulkhead for oil can conditions or bulges, a one-time inspection of the aft pressure bulkhead to identify any previously installed web repair, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from web oil can conditions found on the aft pressure bulkhead of several airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct oil can conditions, bulges, or previous repairs in the aft pressure bulkhead, which could lead to web cracks and consequently result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

FHWA-CFLHD is issuing this notice to advise the public that a supplemental environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway project in Hawai`i County, Hawai`i.

This notice proposes to amend the Class D airspace and establish E4 airspace at Jacksonville Cecil Field, FL. As a result of an evaluation, it has been determined the Class D airspace should be reduced and Class E4 airspace should be established for Jacksonville Cecil Field F Airport. Additional controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight rules (IFR) operations at Jacksonville Cecil Field Airport.