Department of Transportation January 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Aviation Administration published in the Federal Register of October 30, 2007, (72 FR 61291-61293), a document establishing Class E airspace, at Muncy, PA. This action corrects the description of the airspace and confirms the effective date of the direct final rule that establishes Class E airspace supporting an Instrument Approach Procedure serving the Muncy Valley Hospital.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule that establishes a Class E airspace area to support Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) that serve Tappahannock-Essex County Airport, Tappahannock, VA.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-50, -80A1/A3, and -80C2A series turbofan engines, installed on Airbus A300, A300-600, and A310 series airplanes. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections and checks of the thrust reverser actuation systems. This AD requires revised inspection thresholds and intervals, and would require the same actions and additional inspections of the thrust reverser actuation system locking features. This AD results from refined safety analyses performed on the thrust reverser systems by GE and Airbus. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent in-flight thrust reverser deployment, which can result in loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This AD requires modification of the conduit for the forward boost pump of the center fuel tank. This AD results from the finding that a potential chafing condition exists in the volute assembly of the forward boost pump for the center fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the fuel boost pump wiring that could lead to arcing to the inside of the 45-degree angle fitting, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing airplanes listed above. This AD requires an inspection of certain lighted pushbutton switches in the flight compartment for configuration `D' master modules and part numbers and corrective action if necessary. This AD also provides an option to inspect panel assemblies for part numbers. This AD results from a report indicating that the integrated drive generator failed in flight due to a possible switch malfunction. We are issuing this AD to ensure that certain lighted pushbutton switches in the flight compartment do not malfunction and cause the flightcrew to be unable to control critical airplane systems and continue safe airplane operation.

This action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register October 30, 2007 (72 FR 61300), Airspace Docket No. 07-ANM-4, FAA Docket No. FAA-2007-27430. In that rule, an error was made in the legal description for Springfield, CO. Specifically, the longitude referencing Springfield, Municipal Airport, CO stated ``* * * long. 103[deg]37[min]05[sec] W.'' instead of ``* * * long. 102[deg]37[min]05[sec] W.'' Also added to the legal description is the location of the TOBE VORTAC. This action corrects those errors.

This notice announces a meeting to discuss various FAA rotorcraft safety initiatives and to gather any relevant information that will help to reduce general aviation rotorcraft accidents.

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:

The FHWA, on behalf of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed highway project in Mariposa County, California.

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:

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a previously approved collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval for an extension.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive external high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the crown skin for cracks at certain stringer attachment holes, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a report of cracks at multiple locations on certain areas of the crown skin. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks of the crown skin, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model 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 European Safety Agency (EASA), the Technical Agent for France, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:

This rule amends Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of changes in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding of new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Requests of modifications of special permits (e.g., to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' demote a modification request. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

The Federal Aviation Administration published in the Federal Register of October 30, 2007, (72 FR 61293-61294), a document amending Class E airspace at State College, PA. This action technically corrects the geographical coordinates of the University Park Airport, adds the coordinates for the University Park Airport, adds the coordinates for the Instrument Landing System's (ILS) Localizer (LOC) and confirms the effective date of the direct final rule that amends Class E airspace to support an Instrument Approach Procedure serving the Centre Community Hospital (PS57), State College, PA.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule that amends a Class E airspace area to support Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) that serve the Elk Regional Medical Center (7PS9), St. Marys, PA.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to provide the flightcrew with new ground procedures for shedding core ice during long taxi periods in freezing fog with visibility of 300 meters or less. For airplanes unable to perform the shedding procedure after prolonged taxiing in freezing fog with visibility of 300 meters or less, this AD requires certain investigative and corrective actions. This AD results from reports of engine surges and internal engine damage due to ice accumulation during extended idle thrust operation in ground fog icing conditions. We are issuing this AD to prevent internal engine damage due to ice accumulation and shedding, which could cause a shutdown of both engines, and result in a forced landing of the airplane.

This notice proposes special conditions for the Embraer S.A.; Model EMB-500 airplane. This airplane has a novel or unusual design feature associated with the static pressure system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to harmonize with Brazil's Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil (ANAC) and to maintain the same level of safety between the ANAC Type Certificate and the U.S. Type Certificate.

The FAA participated as a cooperating agency with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command in preparation of the SpaceX Falcon Program Environmental Assessment (EA). The Falcon Launch Vehicle Program is a venture by Space Exploration Technologies, Inc. (SpaceX) to provide space launch operations. The EA analyzed the environmental consequences of conducting an average of six Falcon 1 launches per year and up to four Falcon 9 launches per year (starting after 2008) for the next ten years from Omelek Island, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site (USAKA/RTS). The EA also analyzed the reentry of the Dragon reentry capsule, which would be carried as a payload on the Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Additionally, the SpaceX Falcon Program EA analyzed infrastructure improvements proposed on Omelek Island and Kwajalein to support the proposed launch activities. SpaceX would require a launch or reentry license from the FAA for launches or reentries of commercial payloads. From its independent review and consideration, the FAA has determined that the FAA's proposed action is substantially the same as the actions already analyzed in the SpaceX EA and that FAA's comments and suggestions have been satisfied (see 1506.3(c) and FAA Order 1050.1E, 518h). The FAA formally adopts the EA and hereby incorporates the analysis to support future decisions on license applications. After reviewing and analyzing currently available data and information on existing conditions, project impacts, and measures to mitigate those impacts, the FAA has determined that the proposed action is not a Federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Therefore, the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required and the FAA is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FAA made this determination in accordance with all applicable environmental laws. For a Copy of the Environmental Assessment or the FONSI Contact: Questions or comments should be directed to Ms. Stacey Zee; FAA Environmental Specialist; Federal Aviation Administration; 800 Independence Ave., SW.; AST-100, Suite 331; Washington, DC 20591; (202) 267-9305.

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, 222U, 230 and 430 helicopters. This proposal would require rewiring and testing the fuel valve switch on each engine and testing the ignitor system. This proposal is prompted by an in-flight incident in which a fuel valve switch failed, causing the fuel valve to inadvertently close. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent interruption of the fuel supply caused by failure of the fuel switch, which could result in loss of engine power and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117C-2 helicopters. 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 European Aviation Safety Agency for the Republic of Germany, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:

The Federal Aviation Administration is announcing the approval of the Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) for the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction of a new land-based airport in Akutan, AK. The FONSI/ROD provides final agency determinations and approvals for the proposed development.