Department of Transportation August 5, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Model DC-9-14 and DC-9-15 airplanes; and Model DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracking in the vertical radius (also known as the ``vertical leg'') of the upper cap of the center wing rear spar, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD expands the area to be inspected by including inspections to detect cracking of the horizontal flange of the upper cap of the left and right center wing rear spar, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD also adds certain airplanes to the applicability. This proposed AD results from reports of cracking in the vertical radius of the upper cap of the center wing rear spar, and the horizontal flange on the inboard side of the rear spar upper cap, which resulted from stress corrosion. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the vertical leg or the horizontal flange of the upper cap of the left or right center wing rear spar, which could cause a possible fuel leak, damage to the wing skin, and structural failure of the upper cap, and result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying certain thrust reverser control system wiring to the flap control unit (FCU). This proposed AD results from a report of automatic retraction of the leading edge flaps due to indications transmitted to the FCU from the thrust reverser control system during takeoff. We are proposing this AD to prevent automatic retraction of the leading edge flaps during takeoff, which could result in reduced climb performance and consequent collision with terrain and obstacles or forced landing of the airplane.

This action proposes to establish five low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) routes, designated T-281, T-283, T-285, T-286, and T- 288, over Nebraska and South Dakota; controlled by Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Minneapolis ARTCC. T-routes are low altitude Air Traffic Service routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft that have instrument flight rules (IFR) approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. This action would enhance safety and improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace within Denver and Minneapolis ARTCC airspace.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew to use certain procedures during descent in certain icing conditions. This AD results from reports of several in-flight engine flameouts, including multiple dual engine flameout events, in ice-crystal icing conditions. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew has the proper procedures to follow in certain icing conditions. These certain icing conditions could cause a multiple engine flameout during flight with the potential inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Schweizer Model 269D helicopters. This action requires installing a Scroll Housing Blade Containment Shielding Kit on each helicopter. This amendment is prompted by 21 reports of the blades of the oil cooler impeller separating, one of which punctured the engine and transmission oil cooler resulting in loss of engine oil pressure. The actions specified in this AD are intended to protect the oil cooler from uncontained oil cooler impeller blades that could damage the oil cooler and result in loss of engine and transmission oil pressure, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, and -800 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to verify the part number of the low-pressure flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system installed under the oxygen mask stowage boxes located within the flight deck, and replacing the flex- hose with a new non-conductive low-pressure flex-hose if necessary. This AD results from reports of low-pressure flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system that burned through due to inadvertent electrical current from a short circuit in the audio select panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent electrical current, which can cause the low- pressure flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system to melt or burn, causing oxygen system leakage and smoke or fire.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10 series airplanes, DC-9-30 series airplanes, DC-9-81 (MD-81) airplanes, DC-9-82 (MD-82) airplanes, DC-9-83 (MD-83) airplanes, DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes, MD-88 airplanes, and MD-90-30 airplanes. That AD currently requires modifying the flight deck door. This AD revises the applicability by removing certain airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that certain equipment of the flight deck door is defective. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of this equipment, which could jeopardize flight safety.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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: