Department of Transportation December 28, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of the loss of the nuts at all four fastener locations common to the outboard flap inboard support rear spar attachment fittings, which affects the retention feature of the fasteners and leaves the fasteners susceptible to migrating out of the joint. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for discrepancies of the fasteners and shim of the wing rear spar at certain outboard flap supports, a detailed inspection for damage of the shim, flap support mechanism, and wing lower skin; installing new fasteners and shims; and repair or replacement of damaged parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Springfield, OH. The FAA is proposing this action due to an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Springfield very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-01 and AD 2021-05-51, which apply to certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 model turbofan engines. AD 2019-03-01 requires performing initial and repetitive thermal acoustic image (TAI) inspections for cracks in certain 1st-stage low-pressure compressor (LPC) blades and removal of those blades that fail inspection. AD 2021-05-51 requires performing a one-time TAI inspection for cracks in certain 1st-stage LPC blades and removal of those blades that fail inspection. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-03-01 and AD 2021-05-51, the manufacturer determined the need to add initial and repetitive ultrasonic testing (UT) inspections of the 1st-stage LPC blades. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive UT inspections and TAI inspections for cracks in certain 1st-stage LPC blades and removal of those blades that fail inspection. 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 certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of three incidents involving in-flight fan blade failures on certain Pratt & Whitney engines (``fan blades'' are also known as ``1st-stage low-pressure compressor (LPC) blades''these terms are used interchangeably in this proposed AD). This proposed AD would require installation of debris shields on the thrust reverser (T/R) inner wall at the left and right sides of the lower bifurcation, inspection of the fan cowl doors for moisture ingression, repetitive functional checks of the hydraulic pump shutoff valves to ensure they close in response to the fire handle input, and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA proposes to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2020-20-07 which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000-CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000- M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, Trent 1000-R3, Trent 7000-72, and Trent 7000-72C model turbofan engines. AD 2020-20-07 requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) or visual inspections of the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) shaft assembly and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the IPC shaft assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-20-07, RRD provided optional terminating actions for the required repetitive inspections and alternative inspection instructions. This proposed AD would continue to require initial and repetitive BSIs but would allow modification of the engine in accordance with Rolls-Royce service information as a terminating action to these inspections, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating incidents of wires chafing against the inboard upper corner of the observer station circuit breaker panel. This AD requires, depending on airplane configuration, doing a general visual inspection of the right observer station upper main circuit breaker panel and wiring for certain missing parts; doing an inspection of the right observer station upper main circuit breaker panel to determine if a certain bracket part number is installed; doing a general visual inspection of certain wire assemblies for any damage; modifying the observer station upper main circuit breaker panel; and applicable on-condition actions. 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 Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100D3 model turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an engine and subsequent investigation by the manufacturer that revealed a crack in the 3rd-stage compressor wheel. This AD requires replacement of the affected 3rd-stage compressor wheel. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-11-25, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters (type certificate previously held by Eurocopter France) Model AS350B3 and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2021-11-25 requires revising the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for your helicopter by inserting a new procedure (temporary). Since the FAA issued AD 2021-11-25, the manufacturer has identified an additional affected full authority digital engine control (FADEC) part number and developed an optional modification for the affected FADECs. This proposed AD would require revising the existing RFM for your helicopter by inserting a new procedure (temporary). This proposed AD would also require, for helicopters on which an optional terminating action (installation of serviceable FADECs) is done, removing the applicable temporary procedure from the existing RFM for your helicopter. In addition, this proposed AD would also add helicopters to the applicability. Furthermore, this proposed AD would prohibit the installation of an affected FADEC. 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 certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by in-service reports of the loss of display and subsequent recovery of certain display units (DUs). This proposed AD would require revising the existing rotorcraft flight manual supplement (RFMS) for your helicopter and disabling the traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) POP-UP feature for certain DUs. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.