Federal Aviation Administration November 28, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to supersede two existing airworthiness directives (AD) that apply to Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The first existing AD currently requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections of the Station (STA) 348.2 frame to detect cracking under the stop fittings and intercostal flanges at stringers S-14L, S-15L, and S-16L, and corrective action if necessary. The second existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the intercostal webs, attachment clips, and stringer splice channels, and corrective action if necessary. Since we issued those ADs, we have received reports of cracking of the STA 348.2 frame above the two outboard fasteners attaching the frame inner chord and door stop fittings, and in the outboard chord at stringer S-16L. We have also received reports of missing fasteners in the STA 348.2 frame inner chord. This proposed AD would require additional airplanes to do the inspection for cracking under the stop fittings; extend the repetitive interval for certain airplanes; add a one-time inspection to detect missing fasteners; and update or add certain inspection and repair instructions. This proposed AD would also require, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections of the cargo barrier net fitting for cracking and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also add, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for cracking of the S-15L aft intercostal, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the intercostals on the forward and aft sides of the forward entry door cutout, which could result in loss of the forward entry door and rapid decompression of the airplane.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Boyne City, MI. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Boyne City Municipal Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive external detailed inspections or non-destructive inspections to detect cracks in the fuselage skin along the chem-mill steps at stringers S-1 and S-2R, between station (STA) 400 and STA 460, and repair if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports of additional crack findings of the fuselage skin at the chem-mill steps. This proposed AD would add inspections for cracking in additional fuselage skin locations, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also reduce the inspection thresholds and repetitive intervals for certain airplanes. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin panels at the chem-mill steps, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the fuselage skin panels, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

This action corrects a final rule published by the FAA in the Federal Register on September 19, 2011, that amends and establishes nine Air Traffic Service Routes (ATS) in the Northeast United States. This action provides more accurate latitude/longitude coordinates for one waypoint (WP) in the description of area navigation (RNAV) route Q- 480.

This action proposes to establish restricted area airspace within the Devils Lake Military Operations Area (MOA), overlying Camp Grafton Range, in the vicinity of Devils Lake, ND. The new restricted areas would permit realistic training in modern tactics to be conducted at Camp Grafton Range while ensuring the safe and efficient use of the National Airspace System (NAS) in the Devils Lake, ND, area. Unlike restricted areas which are designated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 73, MOAs are not rulemaking airspace actions. However, since the proposed restricted areas overlap the Devils Lake East MOA, the FAA is including a description of the Devils Lake East MOA change in this NPRM. The MOA change described herein will also be published in the National Flight Data Digest (NFDD).

This action amends Class D and Class E airspace at Baltimore, MD, as the Martin Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Martin State Airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the Baltimore VORTAC and makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.