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

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by two incidents of swapped fire extinguishing wires. This proposed AD would require inspecting the electrical leads routed to the fire extinguishing containers for proper identification and missing labels, and to ensure the electrical leads are connected to the correct squibs; and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent the extinguishing agent of the fire extinguishing container from being delivered to the wrong engine in the event of an engine fire, and a consequent uncontrolled fire.

This action amends Class E airspace for Carroll, IA. Decommissioning of the Carroll non-directional beacon (NDB) at Arthur N. Neu Airport, Carroll, IA, has made this action necessary to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

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:

This action establishes Class E airspace at Danville, PA, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Danville Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also corrects the airspace designation and makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace for the Alice, TX, area. Cancellation of all standard instrument approach procedures at Old Hoppe Place Airport, Agua Dulce, TX, has made this action necessary to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations in the Alice, TX, area. Also, the geographic coordinates for the remaining airports and a navigation aid are updated.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. 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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. 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 are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -302, -303, -321, -322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. 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 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.

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.

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 Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 airplanes that would supersede an existing AD. 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: Several cases of corrosion of the Main Landing Gear (MLG) support Rib 5 fitting lug bores have been reported on A320 family aeroplanes. * * * If not detected, the cracking may lead to the complete failure of the fitting and thus could affect the structural integrity of the MLG installation. EASA AD 2007-0213 was issued to address this condition * * *. After that AD was issued, a case of Rib 5, ruptured at the 4 o'clock position, was discovered on an aeroplane on which the terminating action of EASA AD 2007-0213 had already been embodied * * *. Investigation of that case revealed that corrosion damage and cracking that should have been removed by repair machining was below the level of detectability of the Non Destructive Test (NDT) technique that cleared the surfaces prior to bush installation. * * * * * The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7R4D, -7R4D1, -7R4E, -7R4E1, -7R4G2, -7R4H1, and - 7R4E4 turbofan engines. This proposed AD would establish a new lower life limit for high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st stage air seals, part number (P/N) 735907, and would require removing them from service using a drawdown schedule. This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that a new lower life limit for the HPT 1st stage air seals, P/N 735907, is necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure and damage to the airplane.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The information collected supports FAA in determining the amount of required liability insurance for a reentry operator after examining the risk associated with a reentry vehicle, its operational capabilities, and its designated reentry site.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The FAA uses the information gathered from Grand Canyon National Park air tour operators to monitor their compliance with the Federal regulations.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The FAA amended the regulations governing flight data recorders to increase the number of digital flight data recorder parameters for certain Boeing airplanes. This requirement affects all Boeing 737 series airplanes manufactured after August 18, 2000. This change was based on safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board following its investigations of two accidents and several incidents involving 737s.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. Airworthiness Directives are regulations issued to require correct corrective action to correct unsafe conditions in aircraft, engines, propellers, and appliances. Reports of inspections are often needed when emergency corrective action is taken to determine if the action was adequate to correct the unsafe condition. The respondents are aircraft owners and operators.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. 14 CFR part 121 prescribes the requirements governing air carrier operations. The information collected is used to determine air operators' compliance with the minimum safety standards and the applicants' eligibility for air operations certification.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 206: Aeronautical Information and Meteorological Data Link Services for 27th meeting.

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: