Department of Transportation July 27, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces a public meeting for the purpose of developing the final text of the Voluntary Tanker Agreement (VTA). The public meeting will be held via teleconference and web conference. Teleconference and web conference access information will be provided once meeting participants register to attend as provided for in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section below.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-08-02 for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 model turbofan engines. AD 2018-08-02 required initial and repetitive ultrasonic or visual inspections of the intermediate- pressure compressor (IPC) stage 1 rotor blades, IPC stage 2 rotor blades, and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail posts, and removal of any cracked parts from service. This AD requires new inspections based on updated inspection thresholds and intervals for these IPC parts. This AD also adds an optional terminating action, amends the asymmetric power condition for engine inspection, and requires an inspection after a cabin depressurization event. This AD was prompted by IPC blade separations resulting in engine failures. Subsequently, the manufacturer identified the need to add new inspections and an optional terminating action, amend the asymmetric power condition for engine inspection, and require an inspection after a cabin depressurization event. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PZL Swidnik S.A. Model PZL W-3A helicopters. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the main rotor (M/R) vibration absorber star and depending on the inspection outcome, performing more in-depth inspections and repairing, replacing, or removing the vibration absorber star from service. This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion detected on an M/R vibration absorber star. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, M601F, H80, H80-100, H80-200, H75-100, H75-200, H85-100, and H85-200 model turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by a review by the manufacturer that identified the possibility of a power turbine (PT) rotor overspeed and the uncontained release of PT blades. This AD requires installing a modified engine outlet system. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain PZL Swidnik S.A. (PZL) Model W-3A helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the main transmission (Main XSMN) case for a crack, and depending on the inspection outcome, removing the WR-3 Main XSMN from service before further flight. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks in a Main XSMN case. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends, with modifications to reflect changed conditions in Libya and the associated risks to U.S. civil aviation safety, the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) prohibiting certain flight operations in the Tripoli Flight Information Region (FIR) (HLLL) by all: United States (U.S.) air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of an airman certificate issued by the FAA, except when such persons are operating U.S.- registered aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.- registered civil aircraft, except when the operator of such aircraft is a foreign air carrier. This action incorporates the FAA's prohibition on U.S. civil flight operations in the territory and airspace of Libya at all altitudes contained in Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) KICZ A0026/19, into the SFAR. In addition, the FAA remains concerned about the safety of U.S. civil aviation operations at altitudes below Flight Level (FL) 300 in those portions of the Tripoli FIR (HLLL) that are outside the territory and airspace of Libya because of the hazards described in the preamble to the FAA's March 2019 final rule. Accordingly, this final rule also prohibits U.S. civil flight operations below FL300 in those portions of the Tripoli FIR (HLLL) outside the territory and airspace of Libya. This action also extends the expiration date of the SFAR from March 20, 2021, to March 20, 2023. Finally, the FAA republishes the approval process and exemption information for this SFAR, consistent with other recently published flight prohibition SFARs, and makes minor administrative revisions.