Department of Transportation April 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a failed electrical test during production. This proposed AD would require replacing certain wire harness trim connector backshells (backshells), as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also prohibit installing the affected backshells. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of broken and bent attachment bolts of the main rotor (MR) hub scissors assembly. This AD requires an inspection of the attachment bolts of the MR hub scissors assembly for discrepancies and repair if necessary; part marking of the attachment bolts of the MR hub scissors assembly; and repetitive inspections of the part marking of the attachment bolts, and repair if necessary; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, EC135T2+, EC135P3, and EC135T3 helicopters. The NPRM was prompted by a deviation from a new manufacturing process and a determination that the deviation resulted in a reduced life limit (service life limit) for certain tail rotor (TR) blades. The NPRM would have required a reduced life limit for those TR blades and require a new life limit for certain other TR blades. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the deviation from the new manufacturing process does not reduce the life limit of certain TR blades and that a new life limit is not needed for certain other blades. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that during refueling of the right main tank, if there is a failure of the automatic shutoff system, the refueling panel does not provide the required indication that the automatic shutoff has failed. This proposed AD would require installing a new fuel quantity processor unit (FQPU) and doing a FQPU software check. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500- 1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracking in certain components on left and right sides of the aft wing-to-body fairing (WTBF) structure near the tie-rod attachment at a certain fuselage station; this cracking likely resulted from excessive tie-rod preload. This proposed AD would require inspecting the aft WTBF structure for any cracking or damage, adjusting the load on the two tie-rods at a certain fuselage station, and repair if necessary, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.