Department of Transportation August 13, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to revise airworthiness directive (AD) 98-15-18 that applies to certain Maule Aerospace Technology, Inc. M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MT-7, MX-7, MXT-7, and M-8 airplanes that are equipped with rear wing lift struts, part number (P/N) 2079E, and/or front wing lift struts, P/N 2080E. AD 98-15-18 currently requires repetitively inspecting certain wing lift struts for internal corrosion and replacing of any wing lift strut where corrosion is found. Since we issued AD 98-15-18, we have been informed by the manufacturer that Model MXT-7-420 airplanes are no longer in existence, are no longer type certificated, and should be removed from the Applicability section. We have also been informed that paragraph (b) in AD 98-15-18 is being misinterpreted and is causing confusion. This proposed AD would remove Model MXT-7-420 airplanes from the Applicability section and clarify the intent of the language currently in paragraph (b) of AD 98-15-18. This proposed AD would retain all other requirements of the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 5 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. The regulation and the associated advisory criteria published in the Code of Federal Regulations as the ``Instructions for Performing and Recording Physical Examinations'' have resulted in numerous drivers being prohibited from operating CMVs in interstate commerce based on the fact that they have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication, rather than an individual analysis of their circumstances by a qualified medical examiner. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs for 2 years in interstate commerce.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below will be forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and their expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 17, 2013.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EADS CASA (Type Certificate Previously Held by Construcciones Aeron[aacute]uticas, S.A.) Model C-212-CB, C-212-CC, C-212-CD, C-212- CE, and C-212-DF airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of the propeller pitch control (PPC) lever becoming disconnected from the engine due to a missing bolt. This proposed AD would require modifying the PPC lever attachment system. We are proposing this AD to prevent PPC shaft disconnection, which could lead to a loss of propeller pitch control, possibly resulting in uncommanded change to the engine power settings and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2009-24- 07, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, - 700C, and -800 series airplanes. AD 2009-24-07 currently requires repetitive lubrications of the right and left main landing gear (MLG) forward trunnion pins. AD 2009-24-07 also requires an inspection for discrepancies of the transition radius of the MLG forward trunnion pins, and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, AD 2009-24-07 requires repetitive detailed inspections for discrepancies (including finish damage, corrosion, pitting, and base metal scratches) of the transition radius of the left and right MLG trunnion pins, and corrective action if necessary. Replacing or overhauling the trunnion pins would terminate the actions required by AD 2009-24-07. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability of AD 2009-24-07. We are proposing this AD to prevent stress corrosion cracking of the forward trunnion pins, which could result in fracture of the pins and consequent collapse of the MLG.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a batch of main landing gear (MLG) door actuators with a certain part number having certain serial numbers could be assembled with the scraper installed backward. This proposed AD would require repetitive functional checks of the MLG alternate extension system (AES) and eventual replacement of certain MLG door actuators with actuators that have either been reworked or do not have certain serial numbers. We are proposing this AD to prevent incorrectly installed scrapers, which could hinder the operation of the MLG AES, and result in failure of the MLG AES on one side, and consequent unsafe asymmetrical landing configuration.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), for all The Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes, which proposed to supersede an existing AD. That NPRM proposed to retain repetitive inspections of the in-tank fuel boost pump wiring, installation of sleeving over the in-tank fuel boost pump wires, repetitive inspections of a certain electrical wire, sleeve, and conduit, and applicable investigative and corrective actions; and repetitive engine fuel suction feed operational tests. That NPRM proposed to also require replacement of the wire bundles for the wing and center fuel boost pumps, installation of convoluted liners, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to require replacement of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) wires; a low- frequency eddy current inspection for cracking; and repair if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to require revising the maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness limitations section. That NPRM was prompted by a report of damage found to the sleeve, jacket, and insulation on an electrical wire during a repetitive inspection. This action revises that NPRM by revising certain compliance times, specifying a terminating action, and adding a proposed requirement to incorporate another change to the airworthiness limitations section. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent chafing of the fuel boost pump electrical wiring and leakage of fuel into the conduit, and to prevent electrical arcing between the wiring and the surrounding conduit, which could result in arc-through of the conduit, and consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank. 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 supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires determining if a certain fuel crossflow tube is installed; and follow-on/corrective actions, as applicable. Since we issued that AD, we have received a report that airplanes produced since 2003 might also be subject to the unsafe condition; and that the minimum allowable clearance is not established in the airplane maintenance information, and therefore, must be addressed by this proposed AD. This proposed AD would retain all actions in the previous AD, and would require determining if a certain fuel crossflow tube is installed, performing repetitive measurements of the fuel crossflow tube and surrounding valves and cables, and doing corrective actions if applicable. In addition, this proposed AD expands the applicability of the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing and consequent failure of the fuel crossflow tube due to inadequate clearance between the tube and the flight control cables, which could result in loss of fuel from one fuel tank during normal operating conditions or loss of fuel from both main fuel tanks during fuel cross- feeding operations.

Spartan Motor Chassis, Inc. (Spartan) has determined that model year 2011 and 2012 model MM, K2, K3, and SU incomplete vehicles manufactured between January 28, 2011 and June 28, 2011, do not fully comply with paragraph S5.1.4 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, Air Brake Systems. Spartan has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports (dated July 13, 2011). Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and the rule implementing those provisions at 49 CFR Part 556, Exemption for Inconsequential Defect or Noncompliance, Spartan has petitioned for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Notice of receipt of the petition was published, with a 30-day public comment period, on February 7, 2012 in the Federal Register (77 FR 6190). No comments were received. To view the petition, and all supporting documents log onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Web site at: https://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online search instructions to locate docket number ``NHTSA-2012-0003.'' Contact Information: For further information on this decision contact Mr. James A. Jones, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366-5294, facsimile (202) 366-7002. Summary of Spartans' Analyses: Spartan explains that the noncompliance is the accuracy of the air gauges used in the air brake systems on the subject vehicles do not meet the accuracy requirements identified in FMVSS No. 121 S5.1.4. Spartan explains that the air brake systems operate as designed and meet all other applicable requirements of FMVSS No. 121. In this case, the operator may not be able to detect, by way of the air gauges, the variation between the physical cut-out pressure of the air compressor versus what is shown on the gauge. Although the air pressure within the air systems is controlled by an air governor that is independent of the gauges, rendering the gauges do not provide an accurate indication of the air pressure to the driver. Spartan additionally states that it has corrected the gauge calibration so that future production will be in compliance. In summation, Spartan believes that the described noncompliance of its vehicles is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety, and that its petition, to exempt from providing recall notification of noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118 and remedying the recall noncompliance as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120 should be granted.

This action modifies Class E airspace at Brigham City Airport, Brigham City, UT. Decommissioning of the Brigham City Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also makes an adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. The AD applies to certain Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 helicopters. The reference to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 91.173 in the Required Actions section is incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB412 and AB412 EP, and Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters with certain DART Aerospace Ltd. (Dart) high gear aft crosstubes (crosstube) installed. This AD requires adding a life limit of 10,000 landings to the crosstube and removing from service any crosstubes with more than 10,000 accumulated landings. This AD is prompted by five separate reports of crosstube failures. The actions in this AD are intended to prevent failure of the crosstube and subsequent collapse of the landing gear.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by reports of fractures of the first-stage power turbine (PT) blade. This AD requires inspection of the first-stage PT blades and the removal from service of those blades that fail the inspection or their replacement with blades eligible for installation. We are issuing this AD to prevent fracture of the first-stage PT blade, possible engine fire, and damage to the airplane.