Department of Transportation April 10, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

These special conditions are issued for the Embraer S.A. (Embraer) Model ERJ 190-300 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is a new control architecture and a full digital flight-control system, both of which provide flight-envelope protections. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. Model A109S helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of a cabin liner detaching from the helicopter and hitting the main rotor (M/R) blades during flight. This proposed AD would require adding limitations to the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). The proposed actions are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published the gas transmission pipeline integrity management (IM) rule in the Federal Register on December 15, 2003. This rule, in part, established requirements for supervisory and other personnel with IM program functions. PHMSA has recognized inconsistencies in how the requirements have been implemented by operators and is issuing this Advisory Bulletin to remind operators of their responsibility to include qualification requirements for IM personnel, as required by PHMSA regulations and discussed in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) ASME B31.8S-2004.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the condenser blower motor (motor) and condenser blower (blower) to determine if the motor is securely attached to the blower support (shroud). This AD is prompted by a report that the motor detached from the blower. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that nonconforming aluminum alloy was used to manufacture several structural parts on the inboard flap. This AD requires identification of the potentially affected inboard flap parts, a one-time eddy current inspection to identify which material the parts are made of, and, depending on findings, replacement with serviceable parts. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.