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

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 757 series airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 engines. The existing AD currently requires modification of the nacelle strut and wing structure; for certain airplanes, repetitive detailed inspections of certain aft bulkhead fasteners for loose or missing fasteners, and corrective action if necessary. For certain other airplanes, the existing AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of the middle gusset of the inboard side load fitting for proper alignment, and realignment if necessary; a one-time eddy current inspection of certain fastener holes for cracking, and repair if necessary; a detailed inspection of certain fasteners for loose or missing fasteners; and replacement with new fasteners if necessary. Since we issued that AD, a compliance time error was discovered, which could allow an airplane to exceed the acceptable compliance time for addressing the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would specify a maximum compliance time limit. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking in primary strut structure and consequent reduced structural integrity of the strut.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters with certain emergency flotation gear (float) installed. This proposed AD would require inspecting the float for chafing of the fabric covering and adding protectors to the float installation to prevent contact between the float and the protruding sections of the installation. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a float that would not inflate during overhaul because one of the float compartments was punctured due to chafing. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of float and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter during an emergency water landing.

This action modifies low-altitude RNAV route T-266 in the state of Alaska by removing two non-directional beacons (NDB) as the navigation signal source for segments of the route and replacing them with RNAV waypoints. This action enhances the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. That AD currently requires installing spacer assemblies at the attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system (CLS) in the forward and aft cargo compartments, as applicable. This new AD also requires modifying the attachment points of fixed YZ-latches of the CLS lower deck cargo holds on those airplanes on which one or both lower deck cargo holds have not been modified, which terminates the existing requirements. This AD was prompted by results from tests that have shown that the attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system (CLS) fail under maximum loads and reports that installation has been applied only on one of the lower deck cargo holds, instead of on both forward and aft cargo holds, and that some airplanes could have installed the affected YZ-latches through the instructions of the cargo conversion manual. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the attachment points of the YZ-latches, which could result in unrestrained cargo causing damage to the fire protection system, hydraulic system, electrical wiring, or other equipment located in the forward and aft cargo compartments. This damage could adversely affect the continued safe flight of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2; 912 F3; 912 F4; 912 S2; 912 S3; 912 S4; 914 F2; 914 F3; and 914 F4 reciprocating engines. This AD requires a one-time visual inspection for excessive oil deposits or carbon deposits on the No. 2 and No. 3 spark plug center and grounding electrodes, and if found, replacement of the cylinder head before further flight. This AD was prompted by a report of certain No. 2 and No. 3 cylinder heads not manufactured to proper specification. We are issuing this AD to prevent excessive oil consumption, which could result in an in-flight engine shutdown, forced landing, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 970-84, RB211-Trent 970B-84, RB211- Trent 972-84, RB211-Trent 972B-84, RB211-Trent 977-84, RB211-Trent 977B-84, and RB211-Trent 980-84 turbofan engines. This AD requires inspection of the intermediate pressure compressor rear stub shaft (IPC RSS) piston ring. This AD was prompted by the failure of an oil pump drive shear neck due to a piston ring seal that was not seated properly in the IPC RSS groove. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the oil pump drive shear neck, which could result in loss of oil pressure in one or more engines and reduced control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of an incorrect procedure used to apply the wear and corrosion protective surface coating to attach pins of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar. This AD requires inspecting to determine the part number of the attach pins of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar, and replacing certain attach pins with new, improved attach pins. We are issuing this AD to prevent premature failure of the attach pins, which could cause reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer to fuselage attachment, resulting in loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that inspections of the wing center section revealed defective, misapplied, or missing secondary fuel vapor barriers on the center fuel tank. This AD requires inspecting for discrepancies and insufficient coverage of the secondary fuel barrier, determining the thickness of the secondary fuel barrier, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective surfaces and insufficient thickness of the secondary fuel barrier, which could allow fuel leaks or fumes into the pressurized cabin, and allow fuel or fuel vapors to come in contact with an ignition source, which could result in a fire or an explosion.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the selection of projects for the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program, as authorized by Section 3021 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity ActA Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU) and codified in 49 U.S.C. 5320. Projects were selected from proposals submitted in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2012. These projects are funded with Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 appropriations and previously unallocated prior year funds. The Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks program provides funds for capital and planning expenses for alternative transportation systems in national parks and other federal recreation lands. Federal land management agencies and State, tribal and local governments acting with the consent of a federal land management agency are eligible recipients. This program was not re-authorized for FY 2013 under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), and FTA does not anticipate publishing future NOFAs for this program. If additional funds become available during FY 2013 from previous project awards, FTA may allocate these funds to project proposals previously submitted.

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 January 28, 2013, vol. 78, no. 18, pages 5859-5860. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is amending the airworthiness standards for airplane propellers. This action will define what a propeller critical part is, require the identification of propeller critical parts by the manufacturer, and establish engineering, manufacture, and maintenance processes for those parts. These processes will be required to be recorded and maintained within company manuals. The intended effect of this rule is to ensure the continued airworthiness of propeller critical parts by requiring a system of processes to identify and manage these parts throughout their service life. Adopting this rule will eliminate regulatory differences between part 35 and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) propeller critical parts requirements, thereby simplifying airworthiness approvals for exports.

This action expands the vertical limits and time of designation of restricted area R-6601, Fort A.P. Hill, VA. The U.S. Army requested this action to provide the additional airspace needed to conduct training in high-angle weapons systems employment.

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 to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 30, 2012, vol. 77, no. 231, pages 71472-71473. Aeronautical Chart Point of Sale Survey data will be used by the Federal Aviation Administration to measure management objectives and analyze customer feedback for ISO-9001.

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 to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on December 7, 2012, vol. 77, no. 236, page 73113-73114. To determine regulatory compliance, there is a need for airmen to maintain records of certain training and recency of experience; a training center has to maintain records of student's training, employee qualification and training, and training program approvals.

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 to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 28, 2013, vol. 78, no. 18, page 5857. The respondents are those airport operators voluntarily submitting noise exposure maps and noise compatibility programs to the FAA for review and approval.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twenty first meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 224, Airport Security Access Control Systems.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twenty first meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216, Aeronautical Systems Security (Joint Meeting with EUROCAE WG-72).

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) Transportation Airplane and Engine (TAE) Subcommittee to discuss transport airplane and engine issues.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed transportation project (State Route 20) located in Cherokee and Forsyth Counties, Georgia.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the elevator rear spar stiffener assembly, which could adversely affect elevator structural stiffness, that could lead to elevator vibration and possible interference with the tab control rod and which could result in flutter and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of water leakage into the main deck cargo wire integration unit (WIU). The water flowed from the drip shield through disbonded floor seams into the aft main equipment center (MEC) drip shield gutter, then onto the WIU. This proposed AD would require removing the cargo liner support; cleaning the aft MEC drip shield gutter; and doing a one-time general visual inspection for disbonded seams, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also require installing a fiberglass reinforcement overcoat to the top surface of the aft MEC drip shield gutters and installing the cargo liner support. We are proposing this AD to prevent water penetration into the MEC, which could result in the loss of flight critical systems.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan engines with booster anti-ice (BAI) air duct, part number (P/N) 2469M32G01, and support bracket, P/N 2469M46G01, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the BAI air duct. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual inspections of the BAI air duct, removal from service of the BAI air duct if it fails inspection and, as a mandatory terminating action, the installation of new BAI air duct support brackets. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the BAI air duct, resulting in an in-flight shutdown of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the aircraft.