Department of Transportation October 22, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-16-01, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2020-16-01 requires repetitive cleaning and greasing of affected cargo door seals (both original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and parts manufacturer approval (PMA) parts). Since the FAA issued AD 2020-16-01, the FAA determined that improved cargo door seals must be installed to address the unsafe condition, and that certain flight operations must be limited until the improved cargo door seals are installed. In addition, the FAA has issued a new AD to address the OEM parts. This proposed AD would limit the applicability to airplanes that have certain PMA parts installed. This proposed AD would retain certain actions required by AD 2020-16-01 and require replacing certain forward and aft cargo compartment door seals with new seals and installing a placard on the cargo compartment doors; and for certain airplanes, implementing an operational limitation for certain routes. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-375 in the vicinity of Bettles, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-373 in the vicinity of Bethel, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action proposes to revoke Colored Federal airway, B-25. The revocation is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Glenallen Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) Gulkana, AK, which provides navigation guidance for the affected route. The Glenallen NDB is to be decommissioned effective September 8, 2022 due to the high cost of maintenance.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-11-01, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2018-11-01 requires installing a cut-out for the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) rail support junction profiles and repetitively inspecting splices, frame 5295, and related equipment for a crack. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-11-01, the manufacturer has developed a modification for in-service helicopters for replacing aluminum splices with steel splices on frame 5295. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2018-11-01 and require a modification for replacing aluminum splices with steel splices on frame 5295 if cracking is found. This proposed AD would also provide terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.