Department of Transportation October 2, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100 series turboprop engines and AE 3007A and 3007C series turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of pitting in the wheel bores and subsequent RRC analysis that concluded that lower life limits are needed for the affected turbine wheels. This proposed AD would reduce the approved life limits of the affected turbine wheels. This proposed AD would also require an eddy current inspection (ECI) of certain RRC engines with affected turbine wheels. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the turbine wheels, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-14- 06, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) 250-C20, - C20B, and -C20R/2 turboshaft engines. AD 2012-14-06 currently requires a one-time visual inspection and fluorescent-penetrant inspection (FPI) on certain 3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheels for cracks in the turbine blades. Since we issued AD 2012-14-06, we determined that the one-time inspection required by AD 2012-14-06 should be changed to repetitive inspections and that we should add an inspection after any engine hot start. We also identified additional engine models subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would replace the one-time visual inspection and FPI with repetitive visual inspections and FPIs, and would also require inspection and FPI after any engine hot start. This proposed AD would also add certain engine models to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of 3rd-stage and 4th-stage turbine wheel blades, which could cause engine failure and damage to the aircraft.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given of the actions on special permits applications in (August to August 2014) The mode of transportation involved are identified by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft. Application numbers prefixed by the letters EE represent applications for Emergency Special Permits. It should be noted that some of the sections cited were those in effect at the time certain special permits were issued.

We propose to rescind Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-08-08, which applies to certain Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes. AD 2010-08-08 requires deactivating the water scavenge automatic operation and revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM). We also propose to rescind AD 2011-06-04, which applies to certain Model A330-243F airplanes. AD 2011-06-04 requires revising the Limitations section of the AFM. We issued ADs 2010-08-08 and 2011-06-04 to prevent fuel flow restriction, caused by ice, resulting in a possible engine surge or stall condition, and the engine being unable to provide the commanded thrust. Since we issued ADs 2010-08-08 and 2011-06-04, we have determined that the water scavenge system (WSS) operation does not induce any risk of fuel feed system (including the engine) blockage by ice on the pipework or pump inlets. We have also determined that the risk of fuel flow restriction by ice at the fuel oil heat exchanger (FOHE) interface on airplanes equipped with Trent 700 engines is now addressed by a re-designed FOHE, which incorporates enhanced anti-icing and de-icing performance.

FMCSA amends its regulations by making technical corrections throughout title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), subtitle B, chapter III. The Agency is making minor changes to correct errors and omissions, ensure conformity with Office of the Federal Register style guidelines, update references, and improve clarity and consistency of certain regulatory provisions. This rule does not make any substantive changes to the affected regulations.

This final rule amends certain airworthiness regulations for transport category airplanes, based on recommendations from the FAA- sponsored Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). This amendment eliminates regulatory differences between the airworthiness standards of the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This final rule does not add new requirements beyond what manufacturers currently meet for EASA certification and does not affect current industry design practices. This final rule revises the structural test requirements necessary when analysis has not been found reliable; clarifies the quality control, inspection, and testing requirements for critical and non-critical castings; adds control system requirements that consider structural deflection and vibration loads; expands the fuel tank structural and system requirements regarding emergency landing conditions and landing gear failure conditions; adds a requirement that engine mount failure due to overload must not cause hazardous fuel spillage; and revises the inertia forces requirements for cargo compartments by removing the exclusion of compartments located below or forward of all occupants in the airplane.