Federal Aviation Administration April 7, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF) model helicopters. This proposal would require replacing the hydraulic fluid at a specified time interval when operating in cold weather. This proposal is prompted by reports of ice forming due to condensation in some parts of the hydraulic system during cold weather operation. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent ice from forming in the hydraulic system resulting in an unintended movement of the flight controls and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes identified above. This proposed AD would require repetitive functional tests for noisy or improper operation of the exterior emergency control handle assemblies of the mid, overwing, and aft passenger doors, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would provide for optional terminating action for the repetitive tests. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that the exterior emergency control mechanism handles were inoperative on a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 airplane. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the passenger doors to operate properly in an emergency condition, which could delay an emergency evacuation and possibly result in injury to passengers and flightcrew.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks in the fuselage skin, doubler, bearstrap, and frames surrounding the main, forward, and aft cargo doors; and repair of any cracking. This AD also requires inspections of certain existing repairs for cracking, and related corrective action if cracking is found. This AD is prompted by reports of multiple fatigue cracks in the fuselage skin and bonded skin doubler, bearstrap, and doorway frames surrounding the forward and aft cargo doors. We are issuing this AD to find and fix fatigue cracking in the fuselage skin, doubler, bearstrap, and frames, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the frames, possible loss of a cargo door, and consequent rapid decompression of the fuselage.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-300 and -400ER series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the in-flight entertainment cooling card, located in the P50 card file in the main equipment center, with a new, improved cooling card. This AD is prompted by a report of an improperly designed component on the in-flight entertainment (IFE) cooling card, which may cause the IFE cooling system to incorrectly interpret signals from airplane system interfaces. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the IFE cooling card to configure itself correctly in response to input signals from airplane system interfaces during a forward cargo fire, which could result in the IFE cooling fan causing smoke to penetrate occupied areas of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, and-315 airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to include applicable procedures to follow when the flightcrew receives abnormal indications of airspeed, altitude, or vertical airspeed. This AD also requires modifying the static system. This AD is prompted by a report of a leak in the static pressure system, which could result in loss of the static systems and consequent erroneous data displayed on the pilot's flight instruments. We are issuing this AD to advise the flightcrew of applicable procedures in the event of abnormal indications of airspeed, altitude, or vertical airspeed; and to prevent leaks in the static system, which could result in the loss of critical flight information that could result in reduced controllability of the airplane or controlled flight into terrain.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the spoiler servo control for certain part numbers, and corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by a report of a broken piston rod bearing of the spoiler servo control. We are issuing this AD to prevent breakage of the piston rod bearing, which could cause loss of the associated hydraulic system and spoiler extension, and could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.