Department of Transportation June 4, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a severed upper butt strap, and cracks in the forward skin and bonded doubler, on one airplane. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracks and a chemical spot test in the area of station (STA) 908, and related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require an inspection and modification. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracks at the adjacent mating skins (forward and aft), which could initiate just above stringers S-4R and S-4L; and could grow and result in a decompression event.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 4, 2011, vol. 76, no. 150, page 47287-47288. The FAA intends to collect safety-related data regarding the voluntary implementation of Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) safety enhancements (SEs) from certificate holders conducting operations under 14 CFR Part 121 and Parts 121/135.

This notice is to advise interested persons that PHMSA will conduct a public meeting in preparation for the 41st session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held June 25 to July 4, 2012, in Geneva, Switzerland. During this meeting, PHMSA is also soliciting comments relative to potential new work items which may be considered for inclusion in its international agenda.

This action modifies Class D and Class E airspace at Bellingham, WA, to accommodate aircraft departing and arriving under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at Bellingham International Airport. This action, initiated by the biennial review of the Bellingham airspace area, enhances the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Inc. Model CL-215-1A10 and CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant) airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the lower cap of the wing front and rear spars at wing station (WS) 51.00, and the wing lower skin. Additional actions, if cracking is found, include reworking the lower cap of the front or rear spar, inspecting for cracking, and repairing any cracking. The existing AD also requires reporting inspection results. This new AD requires extending the inspection area of the rear spar lower cap from WS 51.00 to WS 49.50 and modifying the ultrasonic inspection calibration procedure. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking found outside the inspection area. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the lower caps of the wing front and rear spars, and lower wing skin, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-1 and C-2 helicopters. This AD requires installing a placard that corresponds to the maximum permissible flight altitude, amending the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to revise the maximum permissible operating altitude, and inserting revised performance charts into the RFM. This AD also requires a repetitive maintenance ``MAX N1 CHECK'' to determine the appropriate maximum altitudes. This AD also requires, if the engine or a Fuel Control Unit (FCU) or module 2 or 3 is replaced, repeating the maintenance ``MAX N1 CHECK.'' Finally, this AD specifies that modifying both engines would provide terminating action for the AD requirements. This AD was prompted by the failure of a ``few'' engines to reach the specified one-engine-inoperative (OEI) rating at altitudes above 10,000 feet. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent flights at altitudes where the full OEI engine power cannot be reached and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter if an OEI operation is required.