Federal Aviation Administration November 9, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required verifying the part and serial numbers of certain main landing gear (MLG) bogie beam pivot pins; replacing those pivot pins with new or overhauled pivot pins if necessary; and ultimately replacing all pivot pins with new, improved pivot pins. The original NPRM was prompted by reports indicating that numerous fractures of the MLG bogie beam pivot pin have been found and that some pivot pins may have had improper rework during manufacture. This action revises the original NPRM by adding new inspections; revising the inspection thresholds and repetitive intervals; and revising the compliance time for replacing all pivot pins with new- material pins. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent fracture of the MLG bogie beam pivot pin, which could lead to possible loss of the MLG truck during takeoff or landing and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the lower web of the aft fairing of engine struts for any discoloration and doing any related investigative and corrective action if necessary; inspecting the heat shield castings for any damage and doing any corrective action if necessary; installing gap cover strips; and replacing insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. This proposed AD results from a report that several discolored fairing lower webs and some damaged/ deteriorated insulation blankets were found in the aft fairings of engine struts. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of lower webs of the aft fairings, which could result in flammable hydraulic fluid leaking onto or near an ignition source, and possibly result in an uncontrollable fire in the engine strut area.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing a rivet and washer in the hole of the upper frame of the auxiliary power unit (APU) firewall. This proposed AD results from a report indicating that, during production, a pinhole was left open at the upper frame of the APU firewall. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the APU compartment is isolated from the rest of the airplane in the event of an APU fire.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1A1, -80E1A2, -80E1A3, -80E1A4, and -80E1A4/B turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive fluorescent-penetrant inspections (FPI) of certain areas of high pressure compressor (HPC) cases, part number (P/N) 1509M97G07 and P/N 2083M69G03. This AD results from the discovery that HPC cases, P/N 1509M97G07 and P/N 2083M69G03, were inadvertently left out of the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS), Chapter 05-21-02, of GE Engine Manual, GEK 99376, Revision 17. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC case aft mount flange, due to cracking.