Federal Aviation Administration June 25, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342 and -343 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires modifying certain cowl assemblies of the left- and right-hand thrust reversers. Since we issued that AD, the manufacturer has issued new life limits on certain thrust reverser C-duct assemblies. This proposed AD would require removing certain C-duct assemblies of the left- and right-hand thrust reversers from service at certain designated life limits, and would also add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the hinges integrated into the 12 o'clock beam of the thrust reversers, which could result in separation of a thrust reverser from the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

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.

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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) that supersedes an existing Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) for certain Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) Model EC135 helicopters. The existing EAD, which was previously sent to all known U.S. owners and operators of ECD Model EC135 helicopters and not made generally effective by publication in the Federal Register, currently requires inspecting the ring frame between the rear structure tube (tailboom) and the tail rotor fenestron housing (fenestron housing) for a crack before the first flight of each day and replacing any cracked ring frame with an airworthy ring frame. Since we issued that EAD, we have determined that a pre-flight pilot check in conjunction with a recurring 25-hour inspection is sufficient for determining the airworthiness of the ring frame. Additionally, ECD has developed a modification that is terminating action for the requirements of that EAD. This superseding AD revises the inspection requirements of the EAD to allow an owner/operator to perform the pre-flight pilot check, adds a recurring inspection of the ring frame, and allows for installation of a ring frame reinforcement as an optional terminating action for the AD requirements. The actions are intended to detect a crack in the ring frame which could result in loss of the fenestron structure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Columbus County Airport Authority to waive the requirement that approximately 0.88 acres of airport property, located at the Columbus County Municipal Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found on the left-hand sidewall well on the nose landing gear (NLG). This AD requires performing a repetitive high frequency eddy current inspection of the stiffeners on the left-hand sidewall on the NLG bay for cracks, and repair or replace the sidewall if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failure of the sidewall, which could result in consequent in-flight rapid decompression of the cabin and injury to the passengers.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the Abnormal Procedures and Limitations sections of the Dassault F7X Airplane Flight Manual. This new AD requires a test of the power distribution control units (PDCU) cards and generator control units (GCU) cards to detect faulty components, and if any faulty components are found, replacing any affected PDCU or GCU card. This AD was prompted by a determination that additional actions are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct a leakage failure mode of transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes used on PDCU cards or GCU cards in the primary power distribution boxes (PPDB), which, in combination with other system failures, could lead to loss of controllability of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of certain fuel access panels of the outer wing. This AD requires an external inspection, and if necessary an internal inspection, to determine if certain fuel access panels are installed, and replacement if necessary; optional repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuel access panels, and replacement if necessary, would defer the internal inspection; and eventual replacement of affected fuel access panels with new panels. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of fuel access panels, which could result in arcing and ignition of fuel vapor in the outer wing fuel tank during a lightning strike.

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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with a certain generator control unit (GCU), to require replacing each affected GCU with an airworthy GCU. This AD was prompted by laboratory tests which revealed a potential fault in the overvoltage protection on a certain part-numbered GCU. The actions are intended to prevent failure of the overvoltage protection of the GCU, degraded performance of the electrical power generation and distribution systems, a fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of baggage bay fire bottles that can be misassembled such that two squib electrical connectors can be cross- connected. This AD requires a general visual inspection of certain baggage bay fire bottles for correct connection and for the length of the wiring loom, modification of the wiring loom to certain squib connectors, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct excessive wiring loom length and improper connection of the squib connecters, which in conjunction with a fire in one of the baggage bays, could result in the fire extinguishing agent being discharged into a wrong compartment and consequent damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks underneath the passenger door in a butt-joint on the forward fuselage of a Model F.28 Mark 0100 airplane. This AD requires repetitive low frequency eddy current inspections of the forward fuselage butt-joints for cracks, and if necessary, a temporary repair followed by a permanent repair. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the butt-joint on the forward fuselage, which could result in explosive decompression and consequent loss of control of the airplane.