Federal Aviation Administration 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) actuator fittings of the rudder with aluminum actuator fittings and doing related investigative and corrective actions. This proposed AD results from rupture of a CFRP actuator fitting during maintenance. We are proposing this AD to prevent rupture of a rudder actuator fitting, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive cleaning/inspecting of the drain hole of each pitot static probe and repetitive cleaning of the pitot lines in the pitot static system. This AD results from reports of incidents of airspeed mismatch between the pilot, co-pilot, and standby airspeed indications caused by contamination in the pitot static system. We are issuing this AD to prevent erroneous/misleading altitude and airspeed information from a contaminated pitot static system to the flightcrew, which could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sicma Aero Seat third occupant seat assemblies, 133 series. This AD requires visually inspecting the installation of the two headrest bushings and installing Mecanindus pins to secure the bushings. This AD results from Sicma's determination that missing or incorrectly secured bushings could loosen and cause disengagement of the headrest from the seat during a high-energy stop of the airplane, possibly injuring the seat occupant. We are issuing this AD to prevent disengagement of the headrest from the seat during a high-energy stop of the airplane that could injure the seat occupant.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the possible failure of the attachment of the propeller blades. This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) AE 2100D3 turboprop engines. This AD requires removing certain part number (P/N) compressor cone shaft assemblies at a new reduced cyclic life limit of 5,000 engine cycles. This AD results from low-cycle-fatigue testing and analysis of certain P/N compressor cone shaft assemblies, by RRC. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the compressor cone shaft assembly, leading to engine shutdown and damage to the airplane.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus A380-800 airplane, which has novel and unusual design features, such as a full- length, double deck passenger cabin and electrical equipment bays distributed throughout the airplane. For these design features, the applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards regarding fire protection. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards. Additional special conditions will be issued for other novel or unusual design features of the Airbus Model A380-800 airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MT-Propeller Entwicklung GmbH variable pitch and fixed pitch propellers manufactured before 1995 which had not been overhauled since April 1994. That AD currently requires overhauling the propeller blades and performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of affected propeller blades. That AD also requires removing all propeller blades from service with damaged erosion sheath bonding or loose erosion sheaths and installing any missing or damaged polyurethane protective strips. This proposed AD would require the same actions. This proposed AD results from the need to clarify the population of affected propellers previously listed in AD 2006-05-05. We are proposing this AD to prevent erosion sheath separation leading to damage of the airplane.

This amendment establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and/or Weather Takeoff Minimums 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, addition of new obstacles, or changes in air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This document contains a correction to the final rule (FAA- 2006-25270; 06-ASO-9), which was published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2006 (71 FR 69191), establishing Class D airspace at Eastman, GA. This action corrects the effective date of the Class D airspace.

These special conditions are issued to AmSafe, Inc. for the installation of an AmSafe, Inc., Inflatable Three-Point Restraint Safety Belt with an Integrated Airbag Device on Pilatus models PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47. These airplanes, as modified by AmSafe, Inc. for the installation of this inflatable safety belt, will have novel and unusual design features associated with the lap-belt restraint portions of the three-point safety belt, which contains an integrated airbag device. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes. This AD requires calculating the current life of each lift spoiler jack, and eventually replacing each lift spoiler jack. This AD results from a review of all system components as part of the life- extension program for the affected airplanes that indicated the fatigue life limit of certain lift spoiler jacks cannot be extended from the current life limit. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the lift spoiler jack, and consequent increased drag and uncommanded roll inputs, which could reduce the flightcrew's ability to control the airplane.

This notice announces the issuance of Advisory Circular (AC) 20-73A, Aircraft Ice Protection. This AC tells type certificate and supplemental type certificate applicants how to comply with ice protection requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 23, 25, 29, 33, and 35.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it has discontinued preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed runway extension project and other associated development at Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento, California. The FAA is doing this because Sacramento County, the owner and operator of the airport, is deferring its proposed runway extension project to a long-term planning horizon (2020). As a result, FAA has determined the runway extension proposal at Sacramento International airport is not ripe for decision at this time.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as possible undersize rivets in the fuselage roof at STN 180.85, BL 19.67, WL 86.2. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 72-22-01, which applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) (The Beech Aircraft Company and BEECH previously held Type Certificate Nos. 3A15, 3A16, 5A3, and A-777) Models 33, 35, 36, 45, and 95 series airplanes. AD 72-22-01 currently requires you to determine if each uplock roller is of the greasible type (one having a drilled and grooved inner race), replace any nongreasible uplock roller (one having a solid inner race) with the greasible type before further flight, install hollow zerk- ended mounting bolts on the uplock rollers, and repetitively lubricate the uplock mechanism. Since we issued AD 72-22-01, there was a recent incident involving a RAC Model 95-B55B (T-42A) airplane where a seizure of the uplock rollers occurred. This malfunction of the uplock rollers is addressed in AD 72-22-01. Thus, the FAA has determined that the actions of AD 72-22-01 should also apply to certain serial numbers of the Model 95-B55B (T-42A) airplanes. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain all the actions of AD 72-22-01, would add those Model 95- B55B (T-42A) airplanes to the applicability of this proposed AD, and would list out the specific serial numbers. We are proposing this AD to decrease the possibility of gear-up landings caused by seizure of the uplock rollers.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all EMBRAER Model EMB-135ER and -135KE airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wire harness and the direct current (DC) fuel pump wire harness to determine if the harnesses are properly attached at their respective attachment points and properly separated from one another, and performing corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report that the FQIS wire harness may not be properly attached at its attachment points or properly separated from the DC fuel pump wire harness. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing between those harnesses or chafing of the harnesses against adjacent airplane structure or components, which could present a potential ignition source that could result in a fire or explosion.

The FAA is adopting a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) for all Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (previously The Lancair Company) Models LC41-550FG and LC42-550FG airplanes equipped with Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA02260CH, Thermawing Deice System (also known as E-Vade). This AD requires you to deactivate the deice system and install a placard in clear view of the pilot. This AD results from problems with the installation of the Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems Thermawing Deice System following STC SA02260CH. We are issuing this AD to prevent a short circuit condition at the deice heater connector, which could result in damage to the wings and horizontal stabilizer. This damage could lead to reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model ERJ 170-100 LR, -100 STD, -100 SE, -100 SU, - 200 LR, -200 STD, and -200 SU airplanes and Model ERJ 190 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine the part number and serial number of the deployment actuator of the ram air turbine (RAT) and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports that the RAT may not fully deploy due to galling between the piston rod and gland housing of the deployment actuator. We are proposing this AD to prevent the RAT from failing to deploy, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during in-flight emergencies.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes, Model A320-111 airplanes, and Model A320-200, A321- 100, and A321-200 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the upper and lower attachments of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) to measure for proper clearance and to detect cracks, damage, and metallic particles. The existing AD also requires corrective actions, if necessary, and reports of inspection findings. This proposed AD would shorten the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. This proposed AD results from new test results on the secondary load path, which indicated the need to shorten the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of the THSA's primary load path, which could result in latent (undetected) loading and eventual failure of the THSA's secondary load path and consequent uncontrolled movement of the horizontal stabilizer and loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the finding of an improper geometry of some pulley brackets, which can offset the cable in the sheave. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Gulfstream Model G-159 airplanes, that requires repetitive non-destructive testing inspections to detect corrosion of the skin of certain structural assemblies, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also requires x-ray and ultrasonic inspections to detect corrosion and cracking of the splicing of certain structural assemblies, and repair if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion and cracking of the lower wing plank splices and spot-welded skins of certain structural assemblies, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of pitch trim system 2 to deflect the trimmable horizontal stabilizer at maximum rate, which could result in loss of high-speed trim and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice proposes to amend Class E5 airspace at Covington, GA. As a result of an evaluation, it has been determined a modification should be made to the Covington, GA, Class E5 airspace area to contain the Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) Runway 28, Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) to Covington Municipal Airport, Covington, GA. Additional controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain the SIAP.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-145, -145ER, - 145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. The original NPRM would have required replacing the electrical bonding clamps inside the fuel tanks and adjacent areas. The original NPRM resulted from a report of the failure of a fitting clamp of an electrical bonding cable for the fuel tubing. This action revises the original NPRM by adding airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent loss of bonding protection in the interior of the fuel tanks or adjacent areas, and a consequent potential source of ignition in a fuel tank and possible fire or explosion.

This action withdraws the direct final rule, request for comment, published in the Federal Register Thursday, October 5, 2006 (71 FR 58738). In that action, the FAA will establish Class E Airspace in Mineral Point, WI. The FAA has determined that withdrawal of the direct final rule is warranted as a result of objections raised during the comment period.