Department of Transportation March 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This statement describes a policy change to the FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program. The FAA wants to ensure that countries do not remain on this listing when the results of the FAA's IASA determinations as to those countries might no longer be accurate or reasonably current. The FAA is accordingly adopting a procedure to remove a country from the IASA program summary listing when that country's air carriers no longer provide air service to the United States, none of the country's air carriers participates in code- share arrangements with U.S. air carriers, and the country's civil aviation authority (CAA) has ceased interacting with the FAA for an extended period of time. The FAA is making this change to improve the quality of the IASA summary listing. This statement also explains IASA Categories 1 and 2 in terms of what the flying public may reasonably take them to mean. This document modifies the IASA policies previously announced by the FAA.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede an existing AD for certain The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the wiring and surrounding Teflon sleeves of the fuel tank boost pumps and override/jettison pumps; replacement of the sleeves with new sleeves, for certain airplanes; and repair or replacement of the wiring and sleeves with new parts, as necessary. The first SNPRM proposed to reduce the initial compliance time and repetitive inspection interval in the existing AD. The first SNPRM also proposed to mandate a terminating action for the repetitive inspections, to eliminate wire damage. In addition, the first SNPRM proposed to remove certain airplanes from the applicability of the existing AD. The first SNPRM was prompted by fleet information indicating that the repetitive inspection interval in the existing AD is too long, because excessive chafing of the sleeving continues to occur much earlier than expected between scheduled inspections. This action revises the first SNPRM by also proposing to require revising the maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness limitations section. We are proposing this second SNPRM to detect and correct chafing of the fuel pump wire insulation and consequent exposure of the electrical conductor, which could result in electrical arcing between the wires and conduit and consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the first SNPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

The FAA assigned ARAC a new task to review and assess the adequacy of certain portions of the existing engine bird ingestion requirements. This notice is to inform the public of this ARAC activity.

This action amends the description of the Houston, TX, Class B airspace area by changing the airport reference for describing the William P. Hobby Airport in the Class B airspace header from ``Secondary Airport'' to ``Primary Airport.'' This change is editorial only and does not alter the current charted boundaries or altitudes or ATC procedures for the Houston Class B airspace area.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, - 900 and -900ER series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require inspecting for a serial number that starts with the letters ``SAIC'' on the left- and right-side horizontal stabilizer identification plate; a detailed inspection for correct bolt protrusion and chamfer of the termination fitting bolts of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar, if necessary; inspecting to determine if certain bolts are installed, if necessary; and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed bolts common to the rear spar termination fitting on the horizontal stabilizer. This action revises that NPRM by adding airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent loss of structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer attachment and loss of control of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/ 350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6-A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1- H2, PC- 6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes that would supersede an existing AD. 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 failure to inspect and maintain stabilizer-trim attachment components and the flap actuator could result in loss of control. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Class E Airspace in the Goldsboro, NC area, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Mount Olive Municipal Airport. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary for the continued safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the Goldsboro, NC, airspace area. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of Mount Olive Municipal Airport and the Seymour Johnson TACAN, and recognizes the airport name change of Goldsboro-Wayne Municipal Airport to Wayne Executive Jetport.

This action amends Class E airspace at Gaylord, MI. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Gaylord Regional Airport. The airport's name and geographic coordinates are also adjusted. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747SP series airplanes, and certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100B SUD and 747-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the fuselage skin just above certain lap splice locations is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin above certain lap splice locations, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane and sudden loss of cabin pressure.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 750 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of loss of displayed airspeed. This AD requires inspecting certain logic modules to determine if certain cabin altitude/pitot static heater module assemblies are installed and replacing those assemblies with a new assembly; and revising the Non-Normal Procedures Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures for resetting the pitot switch in the event of pitot heater failure and for total loss of airspeed indication. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of all displayed airspeed, which could result in reduced ability to control the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by incorrect wire support clamps installed within the left environmental control systems (ECS) bay, which could allow wiring to come in contact with the exposed metal of the improper clamp. This AD requires inspections to identify the part number of the wire support clamp, related investigative actions, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing and a potential ignition source within the ECS bay, which in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a center wing fuel tank explosion, and consequent loss of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain ceramic terminal blocks, through which the wiring for the engine fire extinguishers, fire detection circuits, and engine and intake anti-ice system are routed, have been found to have moisture ingress, which can degrade the insulation resistance of the ceramic terminal blocks. This AD requires a one-time insulation resistance test of ceramic terminal blocks, and if necessary, replacement of the blocks. We are issuing this AD to prevent latent failure of the number 2 fire bottle, which, in the event of an engine fire, could result in failure of the fire bottle to discharge when activated and possibly preventing the flightcrew from extinguishing an engine fire.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Slingsby Sailplanes Ltd. Models Dart T.51, Dart T.51/17, and Dart T.51/ 17R sailplanes equipped with aluminum alloy spar booms that would supersede an existing AD. 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 an incident of glue joint failure on a starboard wing caused by water entering the area of the airbrake box that resulted in delamination and corrosion in the area of the aluminum alloy spar booms and the wing attach fittings. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Captiva, FL, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) special Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving Upper Captiva Island Heliport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Cleveland, TN, to accommodate the Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Cleveland Regional Jetport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Linton, ND. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Linton Municipal Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747- 100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747SR series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to find cracking of the web, strap, inner chords, inner chord angle of the forward edge frame of the number 5 main entry door cutouts, the frame segment between stringers 16 and 31, and repair if necessary; and repetitive inspections for cracking of repairs. Since we issued that AD, we have received multiple reports of cracking outside of the previous fuselage inspection areas and a report of a crack that initiated at the aft edge of the inner chord rather than initiating at a fastener location, which was the previous cracking location. This proposed AD would expand the previous fuselage areas that are inspected for cracking. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracks, which could cause damage to the adjacent body structure and could result in depressurization of the airplane in flight.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. Makila 1A2 turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires replacement of certain serial number (S/N) N2 sensor harnesses. This AD requires replacement of the same S/N harnesses, and requires replacement of additional S/N N2 sensor harnesses. This AD was prompted by corrosion detected in affected N2 sensor harnesses. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent activation of the 65% N1 back up mode, resulting in N2 speed fluctuation, significant power loss, and emergency landing of the helicopter.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 12 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 25 individuals for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FAA published a final rule on January 4, 2012, that amends the existing flight, duty and rest regulations applicable to certificate holders and their flightcrew members. Since then, the FAA has received numerous questions about the new flight, duty, and rest rule. This is a response to those questions.

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.