Federal Aviation Administration October 13, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces the availability of and request for public comments on the proposed revision of current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular (AC) 20-42C, Hand Fire Extinguishers for use in Aircraft. The proposed revision ``D'' to the AC provides updated guidance for the fire-fighting effectiveness, selection, location, mounting and safe-use of hand fire extinguishers in aircraft. It also identifies three FAA approved replacement agents for Halon 1211.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the power control relays for the main tank fuel boost pumps and jettison pumps, and the center tank scavenge pump, as applicable, with new relays having a ground fault interrupt (GFI) feature. The proposed AD also would require revising the maintenance program to incorporate Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) No. 28-AWL-23 (for Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747- 200F, 747-300, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes), and Nos. 28-AWL-28 and 28-AWL-29 (for Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes). This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent damage to the fuel pumps caused by electrical arcing that could introduce an ignition source in the fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Chuathbaluk, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). One Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) is being developed for the Chuathbaluk Airport at Chuathbaluk, AK. Also, this action makes a minor correction to the geographic coordinates and text description for the airport. This action establishes Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at Chuathbaluk Airport, Chuathbaluk, AK.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for RR RB211-535E4 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the outer combustion case for cracks and possible removal if cracks are found. This AD requires the same inspections, but requires using RR Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) RB.211-72-7775, Revision 3, dated April 9, 1999. This AD results from the FAA approving Revision 3 to the MSB, which adds an alternative eddy current inspection (ECI) method. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained outer combustion case burst, which could result in damage to the airplane.