Federal Aviation Administration January 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, and MD-10-10F airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time high frequency eddy current inspection of fastener holes for cracks at the left and right side wing rear spar lower cap at station Xors=345, and other specified and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of three instances of Model DC-10-10F airplanes having fuel leaks in the wing rear spar lower cap at station Xors=345. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracks in the spar cap, which if not corrected could lead to cracking of the lower wing skin, fuel leaks, and the inability of the structure to sustain limit load.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the Dupont Lapeer Airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of the airport property. The proposal consists of the sale of vacant, unimproved land owned by the Dupont-Lapeer Airport Board (Board).

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 747- 8/-8F airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features include an electronic flight control system that provides roll control of the airplane through pilot inputs to the flight computers. 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 Boeing 747-8/-8F airplanes.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216: Aeronautical Systems Security.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for CFM International, S.A. CFM56-7B series turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive eddy current inspections (ECIs) of certain part number (P/N) low-pressure (LP) turbine rear frames. This AD results from a refined life analysis by the engine manufacturer that shows the need to identify an initial and repetitive inspection threshold for inspecting certain LP turbine rear frames. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LP turbine rear frame from low-cycle-fatigue cracks. Failure of the LP turbine rear frame could result in engine separation from the airplane, possibly leading to loss of control of the airplane.

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 aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We are adopting a new 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: * * * * *

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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: Cracks have been found on seat backrest links P/N (part number) 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2. These cracks can significantly affect the structural integrity of seat backrests. Failure of the backrest links could result in injury to an occupant during emergency landing conditions. The proposed AD would require

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as required by the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, established the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) in March 2001. The NPOAG was formed to provide continuing advice and counsel with respect to commercial air tour operations over and near national parks. This notice informs the public of one vacancy (due to completion of membership on May 19, 2010) on the NPOAG (now the NPOAG Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC)) for a member representing commercial air tour operator concerns and invites interested persons to apply to fill the vacancy.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive external non-destructive inspections to detect cracks in the fuselage skin along the chem-mill step at stringers S-1 and S-2 right, between station (STA) 827 and STA 847, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a report of a hole in the fuselage skin common to stringer S-1 and S-2 left, between STA 827 and STA 847 on an airplane that diverted to an alternate airport due to cabin depressurization and subsequent deployment of the oxygen masks. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin panels at the chem-milled steps, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the fuselage skin panels, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the free flange, vertical web, and radius between the free flange and vertical web of the lower stringers of the wing center section for drill starts, and applicable related investigative and corrective actions. This AD results from drill starts being found on the free flange of the lower stringers of the wing center section during a quality assurance inspection at the final assembly plant. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks from propagating from drill starts in the free flange, vertical web, and radius between the free flange and vertical web of the lower stringers of the wing center section lower stringers, which could cause a loss of structural integrity of the wing center section and may result in a fuel leak.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Model 747-200F, 747-200C, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of certain fuselage internal structure (i.e., Sections 42 and 46 fuselage frames, upper deck floor beams, electronic bay access door cutout, nose wheel well, and main entry doors and door cutouts), and repair if necessary. This new AD requires additional repetitive inspections for cracking of certain fuselage structure (i.e., Section 41 fuselage frames where they connect to upper deck floor beams, and Section 41 fuselage frames between stringers (S-8 and S-12)), and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD also reduces the inspection threshold and repetitive inspection intervals for certain airplanes. This AD results from fatigue tests and analysis that identified additional areas of the fuselage where fatigue cracks can occur. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of structural integrity of the fuselage, which could result in rapid depressurization 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) 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: During the removal of the wing removable leading edge on

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, - 800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive detailed inspections of the slat track downstop assemblies to verify that proper hardware is installed, one-time torquing of the nut and bolt, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require replacing the hardware of the down stop assembly with new hardware of the down stop assembly, doing a detailed inspection or a borescope inspection of the slat cans on each wing and the lower rail of the slat main tracks for debris, replacing the bolts of the aft side guide with new bolts, and removing any debris found in the slat can. This proposed AD also would remove airplanes from the applicability. This proposed AD results from reports of parts coming off the main slat track downstop assemblies. We are proposing this AD to prevent loose or missing parts from the main slat track downstop assemblies from falling into the slat can and causing a puncture, which could result in a fuel leak and consequent fire.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for GE CF34-1A, CF34-3A, and CF34-3B series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires removing from service certain part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) fan blades within compliance times specified in the AD, inspecting the fan blade abradable rub strip on certain engines for wear, inspecting the fan blades on certain engines for cracks, inspecting the aft actuator head hose fitting for correct position, and, if necessary, repositioning the hose fitting. This ad supersedure requires the same actions but corrects the effectivity for certain fan blades requiring corrective actions and changes the effective date of the current AD. This AD supersedure results from the FAA discovering that the existing AD has an incorrect effectivity for certain fan blades requiring corrective actions, and from a report of an under-cowl fire and a failed fan blade. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of certain P/N and S/N fan blades and aft actuator head hoses, which could result in an under-cowl fire and subsequent damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the bolt, nut, and downstop of the slat track assembly to determine if the bolt, nut, or stops are missing and to determine if the thread protrusion of the bolt from the nut is within specified limits and parts are correctly installed, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require inspecting the slat cans at the outboard slat number 3 and 12 outboard main track locations for holes and wear damage, and corrective actions if necessary; and replacing the downstop hardware for the outboard slats number 3 and 12 outboard and inboard main track locations. This proposed AD results from a report of a hole in the inboard main track slat can for outboard slat number 12 on a Model 777 airplane. The hole was caused when the bolt securing the downstop migrated out of the fitting and contacted the slat can. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damage to the outboard slat main track slat cans, which can allow fuel leakage into the fixed wing leading edge in excess of the capacity of the draining system. Excess fuel leakage could result in an uncontained fire.

This rule 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.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the FAA-approved maintenance program by incorporating new airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. That AD also requires phasing in certain repetitive AWL inspections, and repair if necessary. This AD clarifies the intended effect of the AD on spare and on-airplane fuel tank system components. This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. ALF502 series and LF507 series turbofan engines with certain fuel manifold assemblies installed. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive on-wing eddy current or in-shop fluorescent penetrant inspections of certain part number (P/N) fuel manifold assemblies for cracks, and replacement of cracked fuel manifolds with serviceable manifolds. This AD continues to require inspecting those fuel manifolds for cracks, adds leak checks of certain additional P/N fuel manifolds, and specifies replacement of the affected manifolds as an optional terminating action in lieu of the repetitive inspections. This AD results from reports of fire in the engine nacelle. We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in certain fuel manifolds and fuel leaks from other fuel manifolds, which could result in a fire in the engine nacelle and a hazard to the aircraft.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 800 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires replacing the fuel-to-oil heat exchanger (FOHE). This proposed AD would require replacing the FOHE on the RB211-Trent 500 and RB211-Trent 700 series turbofan engines in addition to the RB211-Trent 800 series turbofan engines. 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, and results from the risk of engine FOHE blockage. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

This action amends Special Federal Aviation Regulation 106 (SFAR 106), Use of Certain Portable Oxygen Concentrator Devices on Board Aircraft, to allow for the use of four additional portable oxygen concentrator (POC) devices on board aircraft, provided certain conditions in the SFAR are met. This action is necessary to allow all POC devices deemed acceptable by the FAA to be available to the traveling public in need of oxygen therapy, for use in air commerce. When this rule becomes effective, there will be a total of 11 different POC devices the FAA finds acceptable for use on board aircraft, and passengers will be able to carry these devices on board the aircraft and use them with the approval of the aircraft operator.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on Information collected to provide services to aircraft inflight and protection of persons/property on the ground.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for any damage of the lower surface of the center wing box, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of fatigue cracks of the lower surface of the center wing box. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracks, which could result in the structural failure of the wings.