Department of Transportation December 21, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-19- 09, which applied to certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2017-19-09 required modifying the nose landing gear (NLG) shock strut assembly. This new AD requires repetitive lubrications of the trailing arm of the NLG. This new AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program to include new and revised airworthiness limitations (life limits for certain bolts). This AD was prompted by reports of a certain bolt being found missing or having stress corrosion cracking. 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 Embraer S.A. Model EMB-500 and EMB-505 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the operational envelope does not contain airspeed limitations and procedures for operating the airplane at static air temperatures below -54 [deg]C. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate new and revised airspeed limitations and procedures. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Viking Air Limited (type certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc.) Model DHC-3 airplanes with a certain wing strut assembly installed. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as fatigue damage of the wing struts. This proposed AD would require a bolt hole eddy current inspection of the lug plate holes, a visual and fluorescent dye penetrant inspection of the lug fittings, and a visual and eddy current surface scan inspection of the wing strut assemblies. This unsafe condition could lead to failure of the wing strut, which could result in an in-flight breakup of the wing. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

PHMSA has determined that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 50 percent during calendar year 2022. Operators are reminded that drug and alcohol (D&A) testing information must be submitted for contractors who are performing or are ready to perform covered functions. For calendar year 2021 reporting, the username and password for the Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) will be available in the PHMSA Portal.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-09-09, which applies to certain Airbus Model A318 series airplanes and Model A319 series airplanes; all Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and all Model A321-111, -112, -131, - 211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2018-09-09 requires modifying the holes of the upper cleat to upper stringer attachments at certain areas of the left-and right-hand wings. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-09-09, additional affected configurations were identified and, for certain airplanes, it was determined that additional modification work and revised compliance times are necessary. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2018-09-09 and add airplanes, require different compliance times for certain airplane configurations, and, for certain airplanes, require additional modifications or reduce compliance times, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action announces February 15, 2022, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA if it will use its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 entitlement funds to accomplish Airport Improvement Program (AIP) eligible projects. Each sponsor has previously identified to the FAA such projects through the Airports Capital Improvement Plan process. This action further announces April 11, 2022, as the deadline for an airport sponsor to submit a final grant application, based on bids, for grants that will be funded with FY 2022 entitlements funds only.