Federal Aviation Administration November 21, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracks and corrosion of the areas behind the scuff plates below the passenger/crew doors and bulk cargo door, and repair of any cracked or corroded part. This proposed AD also would require repetitive inspections for cracks of the holes of the corner doublers, the fail-safe ring, and the door frames of the passenger/crew door structures. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of corrosion behind the scuff plates at passenger/ crew doors and the bulk cargo door and fatigue cracks on the corner doublers of the forward and aft passenger/crew door frames. We are proposing this AD to prevent such corrosion and fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the door surroundings.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing hinge assemblies with new hinge assemblies in the outboard overhead stowage bins and reworking hinge assemblies in the outboard overhead stowage bins that are adjacent to curtain tracks. This AD results from reports of hinge assemblies of outboard overhead stowage bins breaking or the stowage bin doors not latching properly. We are issuing this AD to prevent the outboard overhead stowage bins opening during flight and releasing baggage, and consequently injuring passengers and blocking the aisles during emergency egress.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the junction between the thrust reverser forward frame and the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock beams; the thrust reverser common fittings; and the thrust reverser J-ring structure at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions; and related investigative and corrective actions. This AD results from fatigue and damage tolerance testing of the engine thrust reversers which revealed fatigue cracking of the junction between the thrust reverser forward frame and the 12 o'clock beam, and of the thrust reverser J-ring structure. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in rupture of the J-ring, forward frame, or common fittings; loss of the thrust reverser system; or inadvertent deployment of a thrust reverser in flight and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.