Federal Aviation Administration September 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-900 and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of early fatigue cracks at chem-mill areas on the crown skin panels. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin along chem-mill steps at certain crown skin and shear wrinkle areas, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the skin panel at the specified chem-mill step locations, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

This rulemaking proposes to adopt more stringent noise certification standards for helicopters that are certificated in the United States (U.S.). This rule would apply to applications for a new helicopter type design and for a supplemental type certificate for those new type designs. A helicopter type certificated under this standard would be designated as a Stage 3 helicopter. This rule proposes to adopt the same noise certification standards for helicopters that exist in the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The proposal of these more stringent noise certification standards into U.S. regulations is consistent with the FAA's goal of harmonizing U.S. regulations with international standards.

This action proposes special conditions for the Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the control surface awareness and mode annunciation of the electronic flight control system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (Pratt & Whitney) PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4062A, PW4074, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, PW4090-3, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4164, PW4168, PW4168A, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) for cracks in the blade loading and locking slots of the high-pressure compressor (HPC) drum rotor disk assembly rear drum. This new AD requires the same actions, requires replacement of the 13th, 14th, and 15th stage HPC seals with redesigned HPC seals as an additional action, and adds an optional terminating action to the repetitive inspection requirements by allowing replacement of the entire HPC drum rotor disk assembly with a redesigned HPC drum rotor disk assembly. This AD was prompted by Pratt & Whitney developing a redesigned HPC drum rotor disk assembly for certain affected engine models. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC drum rotor disk assembly, which could lead to an uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-24, PA-24-250, and PA-24-260 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks developing in the stabilator horn assembly. This AD requires replacement of the stabilator horn assembly and/or repetitive inspections of the stabilator horn assembly for corrosion or cracks, as applicable. Corrosion or cracks could lead to failure of the stabilator horn. Consequently, failure of the stabilator horn could lead to a loss of pitch control in flight. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that the automatic de-icing mode became unavailable due to a failure of the timer and monitor unit (TMU). This AD requires replacing the TMU. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of the automatic de- icing mode and consequent increased workload for the flightcrew, which, depending on additional failures, could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters. This AD requires you to replace tailboom-attachment hardware (attachment hardware), and perform initial and recurring determinations of the torque on the nuts of the tailboom-attachment bolts (bolts) at all four attachment locations. This AD was prompted by a review of the tailboom-attachment installation, which revealed that the torque value of the bolts specified in the BHTC Model 407 Maintenance Manual and applied during manufacturing was incorrect and exceeded the torque range recommended for the bolts. The actions required by this AD are intended to prevent an over-torque of a bolt, bolt failure, loss of the tailboom, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA announces the charter renewal of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC), a Federal Advisory Committee that works with industry and the public to improve the development of the FAA's regulations. This charter renewal will take effect on September 17, 2012, and will expire after 2 years.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Sault Ste Marie, ON. Changes to controlled airspace are necessary to coincide with the Canadian control zone over Sault Ste Marie Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW118, PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines. The existing AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of propeller shafts for cracks and removal from service if found cracked. Since we issued that AD, we determined the need to add a mandatory terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections of certain S/Ns of propeller shafts for cracks and removal from service if found cracked, and would require removal from service of affected propeller shafts as mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect propeller shaft cracks, which could cause failure of the shaft, propeller release, and loss of control of the airplane.

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 all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 800 series turbofan engines. This AD requires removing from service certain intermediate pressure (IP) turbine discs that have a serial number listed in this AD. This AD was prompted by RR performing an evaluation that determined that the current lives for certain IP turbine discs with a steel inclusion may fail before they reach their current mandatory life limits. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the IP turbine disc, which could result in uncontained failure of the engine and damage to the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee (ATPAC) will be held to review present air traffic control procedures and practices for standardization, revision, clarification, and upgrading of terminology and procedures.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by several reports of uncommanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) on Arriel 1 engines. This proposed AD would require performing a high gas generator speed (NG) rating vibration check. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shut-down of the engine, which could result in an emergency landing.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Model CL-600-2B16 airplanes, including variants CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R and CL- 604. This airplane, as modified by Atlantic Aero, Inc., will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with an advanced, enhanced flight vision system (EFVS). The EFVS consists of a head-up display (HUD) system modified to display forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery. 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 is issuing this notice to advise the public of the ninth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 225, Rechargeable Lithium Battery and Battery SystemsSmall and Medium Size.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the eighty-ninth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 159, Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a prematurely fractured main landing gear (MLG) bogie beam. This proposed AD would require replacing certain MLG bogie beams before reaching new reduced life limits. We are proposing this AD to prevent fracture of the MLG bogie beam, which, under high speed, could ultimately result in the airplane departing the runway, the bogie beam detaching from the airplane, or collapse of the MLG; and consequent structural damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that during a test of the oxygen system, an operator found that the passenger oxygen masks did not properly flow oxygen, and that a loud noise occurred in the overhead area, which was caused by the flex line separating from the hard line due to a missing clamshell coupler. This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, performing a detailed inspection of certain areas of the airplane oxygen system to ensure clamshell couplers are installed and fully latched, and corrective actions if necessary. For all airplanes, this proposed AD would require performing and meeting the requirements of the low pressure leak test. We are proposing this AD to prevent the oxygen system flex line from separating from the hard line, which could cause an oxygen leak and a drop in the oxygen system pressure, resulting in improper flow of oxygen through the passenger masks and injury to passengers if emergency oxygen is needed.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes. That NPRM proposed repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of the left and right rib hinge bearing lugs of the aft face of the center section of the horizontal stabilizer; measuring crack length and blending out cracks; and replacing the horizontal stabilizer center section rib, if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks of the hinge bearing lugs of the center section ribs of the horizontal stabilizer. This action revises that NPRM by adding the requirement for rib replacement if cracking is found during certain inspections of this proposed AD. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct cracking in the hinge bearing lugs of the horizontal stabilizer center section ribs, which could result in failure of the lugs, resulting in the inability of the horizontal stabilizer to sustain the required limit loads and consequent loss of control of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Trinchera Ranch Airstrip Airport, Fort Garland, CO. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Trinchera Ranch Airstrip Airport. This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and adds controlled surface airspace at Dillon, MT, to accommodate aircraft using new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Dillon Airport. This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. The geographic coordinates of the airport also are adjusted.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the thirteenth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 223, Airport Surface Wireless Communications.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the fifteenth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 224, Airport Security Access Control Systems

This action amends the Class E airspace areas at Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field), Boise, ID. This action also adjusts the geographic coordinates of the airport. The Boise VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigational Aid (VORTAC) is no longer needed as a reference. The Donnelly Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) has been decommissioned and controlled airspace reconfigured. This action also makes a minor change to the legal description in reference to Class E airspace 9,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL). This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.