Department of Transportation January 7, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the bolt, nut, and downstop of the slat track assembly to determine if the bolt, nut, or stops are missing and to determine if the thread protrusion of the bolt from the nut is within specified limits and parts are correctly installed, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require inspecting the slat cans at the outboard slat number 3 and 12 outboard main track locations for holes and wear damage, and corrective actions if necessary; and replacing the downstop hardware for the outboard slats number 3 and 12 outboard and inboard main track locations. This proposed AD results from a report of a hole in the inboard main track slat can for outboard slat number 12 on a Model 777 airplane. The hole was caused when the bolt securing the downstop migrated out of the fitting and contacted the slat can. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damage to the outboard slat main track slat cans, which can allow fuel leakage into the fixed wing leading edge in excess of the capacity of the draining system. Excess fuel leakage could result in an uncontained fire.

We are clarifying information contained in Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-21-08, which applies to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. (Piaggio) Model PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes. AD 2009-21-08 currently requires repetitive functional tests of the manifold system and replacement of any system that does not pass the functional tests (i.e., movement of the steering system). The language in AD 2009-21-08 incorrectly references not passing the functional tests as ``movement of the manifold,'' and it should read ``movement of the steering system'' as specified in the service bulletin. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) referenced it as specified in the service bulletin. This document incorporates the intent of the action as already proposed in the NPRM. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potentially dangerous veer along the runway. The steering system must be in the `off' position during landing and takeoff (in this case when airspeed is higher than 60 knots) according to the aircraft flight manual limitations.

This establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding 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.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-1A, -3A, -3A1, -3A2, -3B, and -3B1 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires a onetime visual and tactile inspection of certain areas of certain P/N and SN fan disks for an arc-out defect, within 20 engine flight hours after the effective date of that AD. This AD requires inspecting certain fan disks for electrical arc-out indications, removing from service fan disks with electrical arc-out indications, performing tactile and enhanced visual (TEV) inspections, fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI), and eddy current inspections (ECI) on certain disks that have already had a shop-level inspection, and repetitive FPI and ECI on certain fan disks. This AD results from an updated risk analysis by GE that shows we need to take corrective action that is more stringent. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of the fan disk, which could result in damage to the airplane.