Federal Aviation Administration 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the NextGen Mid-Term Implementation Task Force.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Kona International Airport at Keahole, Kona, HI. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft utilizing the Kona International Airport at Keahole when the Air Traffic Control Tower is non operational. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at Kona International Airport at Keahole, Kona, HI.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 Bombardier CL-600-2B19 airplanes have had a history of flap failures at various positions for several years. Flap failure may result in a significant increase in required landing distances and higher fuel consumption than planned during a diversion. * * *

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the 1.04-inch nominal diameter wire penetration hole in the frame and frame reinforcement, between stringers S-20 and S-21, on both the left and right sides of the airplane, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracking in the frame, or in the frame and frame reinforcement, common to the 1.04-inch nominal diameter wire penetration hole intended for wire routing. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the fuselage frames and frame reinforcements, which could reduce the structural capability of the frames to sustain limit loads, and result in cracking in the fuselage skin and subsequent rapid depressurization of the airplane.

This establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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, adding new obstacles, or changing 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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive testing of the rudder pedal forces or repetitive detailed inspections of the inner spring of the rudder feel and centering unit, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also requires replacement of the spring assembly in the rudder feel and centering unit, which terminates the repetitive tests or inspections. This proposed AD results from reports of low rudder pedal forces that were caused by a broken inner spring in the rudder feel and centering unit; a broken inner spring in conjunction with a broken outer spring would significantly reduce rudder pedal forces. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced rudder pedal forces, which could result in increased potential for pilot- induced oscillations and reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA-23 series airplanes and all PA- 31 and PA-42 series airplanes. This proposed AD would establish life limits for safety-critical nose baggage door components. This proposed AD would also require you to replace those safety-critical nose baggage door components and repetitively inspect and lubricate the nose baggage door latching mechanism and lock assembly. This proposed AD results from several incidents and accidents, including fatal accidents, where the nose baggage door opening in flight was listed as a causal factor. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct worn, corroded, or non- conforming nose baggage door components, which could result in the nose baggage door opening in flight. The door opening in flight could significantly affect the handling and performance of the aircraft. It could also allow baggage to be ejected from the nose baggage compartment and strike the propeller. This failure could lead to loss of control.

This action changes the using agency of R-6320, Matagorda, TX, from United States Customs Service'' to ``Continental North American Aerospace Defense Command Region (CONR).'' The FAA is taking this action in response to a request from the United States Air Force (USAF), supported by United States Customs and Border Protection (legacy United States Customs Service), to reflect an administrative change of responsibility for the restricted area. There are no changes to the boundaries; designated altitudes; time of designation; or activities conducted within the affected restricted area.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that will supersede an existing AD. 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:

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Mount Sterling, IL. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Mount Sterling Municipal Airport, Mount Sterling, IL. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Mount Sterling Municipal Airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Cleveland, OH. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Lorain County Regional Airport, Lorain, OH. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Lorain County Regional Airport.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0100 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revisions to the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures to prohibit use of reverse engine thrust power settings between idle and emergency maximum and to prohibit stabilized engine operation in a certain engine speed range on the ground. This proposed AD would continue to require revising the AFM to include certain procedures. This proposed AD would also require removing the normal maximum (second) detent for the reverse-thrust control. In addition, this proposed AD would require revising the AFM to prohibit use of reverse thrust in flight and to limit operation of Max Reverse thrust. This proposed AD results from issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent operation in the prohibited stabilized engine speed range on the ground, which could result in uncontained engine fan blade failure due to high cycle fatigue cracking.

This notice announces the bi-annual meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aeronautical Charting Forum (ACF) to discuss informational content and design of aeronautical charts and related products, as well as instrument flight procedures development policy and design criteria.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a current information collection. The final rule addresses persistent flight delays due to over-scheduling at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Gulfport Biloxi Regional Airport Authority (GBRAA) to waive the requirement that a 0.84-acre parcel of surplus property, located at the Gulfport Biloxi International Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Rushville, NE. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Modisett Airport, Rushville, NE. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft operations at Modisett Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the Noise Compatibility Program submitted by the Mobile Airport Authority under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR Part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and non-Federal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On May 1, 2006, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Mobile Airport Authority under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On October 26, 2006, the FAA approved the Mobile Regional Airport noise compatibility program. Most of the recommendations of the program were approved. On August 29, 2008, the Mobile Airport Authority requested approval to revise two of the ten approved proposed action measures.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain RR RB211-524 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the head section and meterpanel assembly of the combustion liner, and replacement if necessary with serviceable parts. This proposed AD would require those same inspections, and replacement if necessary with serviceable parts. This proposed AD would also add more part number (P/ N) combustion liners to the applicability of this proposed AD. This proposed AD results from an inquiry submitted by an operator, which resulted in RR performing a complete review of the affected front combustion liner part numbers. We are proposing this AD to prevent deterioration of the engine combustion liner, which can result in combustion liner breakup, case burn-through, engine fire, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede AD 2008-06-28 R1, which applies to certain Avidyne Corporation (Avidyne) Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) (part numbers (P/Ns) 700-00006-000, -001, -002, -003, and -100) that are installed on airplanes. AD 2008-06-28 R1 currently requires you to do a check of the maintenance records and inspection of the PFD (if necessary) to determine if an affected serial number PFD is installed and incorporate (if necessary) operational limitations. Since we issued AD 2008-06-28 R1, Avidyne developed a factory modification that will correct the problems on these Avidyne PFDs and also factory modified certain serial number PFDs. To terminate the operational limitations of AD 2008-06-28 R1, this AD adds actions to assure any affected serial number PFD complies with one of the following: Passes the air data system performance verification test, receives the factory modification, or is replaced with a PFD that has complied with one of the previous two conditions or is not one of the affected serial number PFDs. Consequently, this AD will retain the actions from the previous AD until the added terminating action has been complied with. We are issuing this AD to prevent certain conditions from existing when PFDs display incorrect attitude, altitude, and airspeed information. This could result in airspeed/altitude mismanagement or spatial disorientation of the pilot with consequent loss of airplane control, inadequate traffic separation, or controlled flight into terrain.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This AD requires among other actions, installing new ground fault interrupter (GFI) relays for the main fuel tanks and the auxiliary fuel tank pumps. This AD also requires revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate new Airworthiness Limitations for the GFI of the boost pumps and for the uncommanded on system for the auxiliary fuel tank pumps. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent an electrical fault in the fuel pump system, which might cause a connector or end cap to burn through and a subsequent fire or explosion inside the fuel pump or wing spar area. We are also issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded operation of the auxiliary fuel tank pumps, which can cause them to run dry. This condition will increase pump temperature and could supply an ignition source to fumes in the fuel tank, which can result in a consequent fire or explosion.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T variant) and CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 variant) airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for contamination of grease, bearing wear checks, grease applications of the rudder lower torque tube upper bearing, and a rudder upper hinge gap check; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of corrosion on the rudder lower torque tube upper bearing. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corroded bearings which could lead to hinge deformation, and could result in a rudder jam and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Roanoke Rapids, NC, to accommodate Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Halifax County Airport. The controlled airspace previously associated with this airport was removed in anticipation of the airport's scheduled closure. The closure of Halifax County Airport has been delayed because the opening of its replacement, Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport, has been delayed. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of SIAPs and for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations to the airport.

This action amends the legal descriptions for Anderson AFB, and the Guam and Saipan International Airports. The Guam Air Route Traffic Control Center personnel conducted a review of their airspace and determined that current airspace descriptions needed to be updated. These are editorial revisions to reflect name changes and to update coordinates of the facilities. The changes will not affect the current area boundaries, altitudes, or the times of designation.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain British Aerospace (Jetstream) Model 4100 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an eddy current conductivity test to measure the conductivity of the upper splice plate of the wing, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD revises the applicability to include additional airplanes. This AD results from reports of exfoliation corrosion of the upper splice plate of the wing. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such corrosion, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive internal eddy current and detailed inspections to detect cracked stringer tie clips; measuring the fastener spacing and the edge margin if applicable, and doing applicable corrective and related investigative actions. As a temporary alternative to doing the actions described previously, this AD requires repetitive external general visual inspections of the skin and lap joints and repetitive external eddy current sliding probe inspections, as applicable, of the lap joints for cracks and evidence of overload resulting from cracked stringer tie clips, and applicable corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of several cracked stringer tie clips. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct multiple adjacent cracked stringer tie clips and damaged skin and frames, which could lead to the skin and frame structure developing cracks and consequent decompression of the airplane.