Department of Transportation June 14, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

A notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register of March 6, 2013, to establish Class E airspace at Cleveland Regional Jetport, Cleveland, TN, is being withdrawn. Upon review, the FAA found that, for clarity, combining this proposed rulemaking with another proposal to amend existing airspace is necessary.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the MDHI Model MD900 helicopters with certain main rotor blade (MRB) retention bolts (bolts) installed. This proposed AD would require a daily check of the position of each bolt and would also require a daily check and a repetitive inspection for a gap in each bolt. The proposed AD would also require, if necessary, removing and inspecting the bolt for a crack and replacing any cracked bolt with an airworthy bolt. This proposed AD is prompted by multiple reports of in-service bolt failures. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of a bolt, which could lead to loss of MRB structural integrity and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is considering a proposal to change a 3.03-acre portion of Parcel AA of airport land from aeronautical use to non- aeronautical use (for lease), located at Quad City International Airport, Moline, Illinois. The subject 3.03-acre portion of Parcel AA (10.84 total acres) is located in the north quadrant of the airport along Airport Drive and currently not being used directly for aeronautical purposes other than for the protection of FAR Part 77 surfaces and compatible land use. The change from aeronautical to non-aeronautical use would allow the construction of a hotel on the subject 3.03-acre parcel. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-725A1-12 turbofan engines with fuel pump tube part number FW64852 installed. This AD requires removal of the affected fuel pump tube and its replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by the discovery that cracks have occurred in the affected fuel pump tube between the fuel metering unit and the main fuel pump. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of fuel supply to the engine, which could result in in-flight engine shutdown of one or more engines, loss of thrust control and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of hydraulic fluid contamination (including contamination caused by hydraulic fluid in its liquid, vapor, and/or solid (coked) form) found in the strut forward dry bay. This AD requires repetitive general visual inspections of the strut forward dry bay for the presence of hydraulic fluid, and related investigative and corrective actions (including checking drain lines for blockage due to hydraulic fluid coking, and cleaning or replacing drain lines to allow drainage) if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct hydraulic fluid contamination of the strut forward dry bay, which could result in hydrogen embrittlement of the titanium forward engine mount bulkhead fittings, and consequent inability of the fittings to carry engine loads, resulting in engine separation. Hydraulic embrittlement also could cause a through-crack formation across the fittings through which an engine fire could breach into the strut, resulting in an uncontained strut fire.