Federal Aviation Administration October 6, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of frames between station 360 and station 907 to determine if a subject support bracket for the air conditioning outlet extrusion is installed, and related repetitive investigative actions and repair if necessary. This proposed AD also provides an optional preventive modification that would end the repetitive investigative actions. This proposed AD would also require a one-time post-modification/repair inspection for cracking of each repaired/modified frame. This proposed AD results from numerous reports indicating that frame cracks have been found at the attachment holes for support brackets for the air conditioning outlet extrusion. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which, if the cracking were to continue to grow, could result in a severed frame. A severed frame, combined with existing multi-site damage at the stringer 10 lap splice, could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL- 601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A and CL-601-3R) airplanes. This proposed AD would require measuring to detect migration of the lower gimbal pin and inspecting for other discrepancies of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA). This proposed AD also would require replacing or modifying the HSTA, as applicable. This proposed AD results from reports of failure of the lower gimbal pin of the HSTA. We are proposing this AD to prevent migration of the lower gimbal pin of the HSTA, which could result in loss of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

This action corrects an error in the legal description of a direct final rule, request for comments that was published in the Federal Register on Friday, July 29, 2005 (70 FR 43744).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the rudder pedal torque tube assembly for cracking; an inspection of the torque tube assembly to determine the thickness of the torque tube wall, if necessary; and replacing the rudder torque tube with a new or serviceable rudder torque tube, if necessary. This AD results from a report of a broken rudder pedal torque tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a rudder pedal torque tube, which could result in loss of rudder control and nose wheel steering controlled by the rudder pedal, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model ATP airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for environmental damage, including corrosion, of the fuselage and wing structure, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from information indicating the potential for environmental damage of the fuselage and wing structure. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such damage, including corrosion, in the fuselage and wing structure, which could result in cracking and consequent reduced structural integrity of the fuselage and wing structure.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-301, -321, -322, -341, and -342 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD requires installing lockplates on the main landing gear (MLG) and center landing gear (CLG) wheel assemblies, as applicable, to keep the tie bolts in position in the wheel assembly in the event of a tie bolt failure. This AD results from reports of tie bolts that were broken or missing from the MLG wheel assembly; in some cases the wheels have ruptured and caused damage to other equipment in the adjacent area. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the wheel assembly and equipment in the area adjacent to the MLG and CLG, which could result in a decrease in braking function and possible runway over-run.

The intent of this proposal is to help ensure the continued safety of commercial airplanes by improving the design, installation, and maintenance of their electrical wiring systems as well as by aligning those requirements as closely as possible with the requirements for fuel tank system safety. This proposed rulemaking consists of regulatory changes affecting wiring systems and fuel tank systems in transport category airplanes. First, it proposes to organize and clarify design requirements for wire systems by moving existing regulatory references to wiring into a single section of the regulations specifically for wiring and adding new certification rules. It also proposes to require holders of type certificates for certain transport category airplanes to conduct analyses of their airplanes and make necessary changes to existing Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to improve maintenance procedures for wire systems. It would require operators to incorporate those ICA for wiring into their maintenance or inspection programs. And finally, this proposed rulemaking would clarify requirements of certain existing rules for operators to incorporate ICA for fuel tank systems into their maintenance or inspection programs.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with Sec. 25.1365 concerning electrical wiring. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with Sec. 25.1360 concerning electrical wiring. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with Sec. 25.1353 concerning electrical wiring. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with Sec. Sec. 25.863 and 25.869 concerning flammable fluid fire protection and fire protection systems. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) that sets forth acceptable methods of compliance with section H25.5(a)(2) of Appendix H to 14 CFR part 25 concerning development of an electrical system standard wiring practices document. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.