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

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will hold an informational meeting to discuss the content and comments received regarding proposed advisory circular (AC) 20-42D, Hand Fire Extinguishers for use in Aircraft.

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 FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 158.29.

The FAA publishes a monthly notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals and disapprovals under the provisions of the Aviation Safety and Capacity Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) (Pub. L. 101-508) and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158). This notice is published pursuant to paragraph d of Sec. 15829.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Model 747-200C, -200F, -400, - 400D, and -400F series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracks in the overlapping (upper) skin, upper fastener row of the lap joints of the fuselage skin in sections 41, 42, and 46; and related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposed AD would expand the inspection area in the existing AD, and add a modification of certain lap joints and certain post-repair inspections of the lap joints. Accomplishing the modification would end the repetitive inspections required by the existing AD for the length of lap joint that is modified. This proposed AD results from a structural review of affected skin lap joints for widespread fatigue damage. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking in certain lap joints, which could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for CFM International, S.A. CFM56-5, -5B, and -7B series turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require removing from service, nine stage 3 low-pressure turbine (LPT) disks, identified by serial number (S/N). This proposed AD results from the discovery of a material nonconformity requiring removal of the disk before the certified disk life of certain stage 3 LPT disks. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the stage 3 LPT disk and damage to the airplane.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney JT8D-209, -217, -217C, and -219 turbofan engines with front compressor front hub (fan hub), part number (P/N) 5000501-01 installed. That AD currently requires cleaning the front compressor front hubs (fan hubs), initial and repetitive eddy current (ECI) and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) of tierod and counterweight holes for cracks, removal of bushings, cleaning and ECI and FPI of bushed holes for cracks and, if necessary, replacement with serviceable parts. In addition, that AD currently requires reporting the findings of cracked fan hubs and monthly reports of the number of inspections completed. This AD requires the same actions, except for the monthly reporting of the number of completed inspections. This AD results from the FAA determining that it has collected a sufficient amount of data since issuing AD 97-17-04 and that therefore, it no longer needs the monthly reporting of the number of completed inspections. We are issuing this AD to prevent fan hub failure due to tierod, counterweight, or bushed hole cracking, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This action will establish Class E airspace at Battle Mountain, NV, to accommodate aircraft using the VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range (VOR)/Distant Measuring Equipment (DME) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Battle Mountain Airport. This will improve the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operation at the airport.

This action will establish Class E airspace at Hailey, ID, to accommodate aircraft using the Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Friedman Memorial Airport. This will improve the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain AVOX Systems and B/E Aerospace oxygen cylinders, as installed on various 14 CFR part 23 or CAR 3 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting for and removing substandard oxygen cylinders from the airplane. This proposed AD was prompted by the reported rupture of a high-pressure gaseous oxygen cylinder, which had insufficient strength characteristics due to improper heat treatment. We are proposing this AD to prevent an oxygen cylinder from rupturing, which, depending on the location, could result in structural damage and rapid decompression of the airplane, damage to adjacent essential flight equipment, deprivation of the necessary oxygen supply for the flightcrew, and injury to cabin occupants or other support personnel.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45 and CF6-50 series turbofan engines with certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 3 disks installed. This AD requires fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the LPT stage 3 disk under certain conditions and removal of the disk from service before further flight if found cracked. This AD also requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 1 and stage 2 blades for wear and damage, including excessive airfoil material loss. This AD results from three reports of uncontained failures of LPT stage 3 disks and eight reports of cracked LPT stage 3 disks found during shop visit inspections. We are issuing this AD to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 45 airplanes. This AD requires a general visual inspection for cracked and missing ballscrew assembly sleeves of the flap actuator, repetitive non-destructive liquid penetrant inspections of each sleeve or flap actuator for cracks, and replacement or modification of the flap actuator if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracked and missing ballscrew assembly sleeves of the flap actuators. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked and missing sleeves, which could cause loss of the load-carrying ball bearings on both actuators on one flap, resulting in flap asymmetry and loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties, 15.819 acres at the Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne, Florida from the conditions, reservations, and restrictions as contained in a Quitclaim Deed agreement between the FAA and the City of Melbourne, dated August 6, 1947. The release of property will allow the Melbourne Airport Authority to dispose of the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located in the the Southwest \1/4\ of Section 21, Township 27 South, Range 37 East, Brevard County, Florida. The parcel is currently designated as non-aeronautical use. The property will be disposed of for the purpose of municipal use. The fair market value of the property has been determined by appraisal to be $1,061,211. The airport will receive fair market value for the property, which will be subsequently reinvested in another eligible airport improvement project.

This action amends the legal description of two Jet Routes and seven VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways in the vicinity of Gage, OK. The FAA is taking this action because the Gage VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC), included as part of the route structure for the airways, is being renamed the Mitbee VORTAC for identity clarification.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76C helicopters. This action requires inspecting the emergency flotation system squib connector (flotation system connector) to determine if a metallic foil shunt is installed. This amendment is prompted by a discovery that a metallic foil shunt meant to prevent inadvertent activation of a flotation system during installation was still installed in the left-hand flotation system connector of a Model S-76C helicopter. The actions specified in this AD are intended to determine if a metallic foil shunt is installed in the flotation system, which could prevent the flotation system from deploying and could prevent the helicopter from staying afloat long enough to enable emergency evacuation after a water landing.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified model helicopters. This AD results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI AD states that the AD is issued following a manufacturing nonconformity found on one batch of the servo-control caps. With a defective servo-control, rotation of the distributor might not be stopped mechanically since only friction of inner seals holds the distributor sleeve in its position. The AD

This action revises Class E airspace at Dillingham, AK, to accommodate amended Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs), conventional SIAPs, and an Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) at Dillingham Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Dillingham Airport.

This action revises Class E airspace at Scammon Bay, AK, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Scammon Bay Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Scammon Bay Airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection to detect damage of the wire assemblies of the tail tank fuel system, a wiring change, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct a potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable vapors, could result in a fuel tank fire or explosion, and consequent loss 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: The manufacturer has received a report of a failed canopy jettison test, during a regular maintenance check. The investigation revealed that a cable shroud of the jettison system protruded the canopy structure, which probably caused the malfunction. Inability to jettison the canopy in flight would prevent evacuation of the aeroplane in case of need.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. This AD results from a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI AD states that a metallurgical non-conformity was discovered on a flange of the forward shaft section of the tail rotor drive shaft (drive shaft). The MCAI AD also states that stress analysis has shown that this non-conformity can significantly reduce the strength of the drive shaft and thereby its service life. The AD actions are intended to remove non-conforming drive shafts from service and prevent failure of the drive shaft and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The Federal Aviation Administration is making a minor amendment to a previously published final rule. That final rule applied to air carrier, commuter, and on-demand turbine powered multi-engine airplanes used in passenger-carrying, and some all-cargo, extended- range operations. This technical amendment corrects an incorrect citation reference.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Batesville, AR. Decommissioning of the Independence County non-directional beacon (NDB) at Batesville Regional Airport has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.