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

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace in the Goldsboro, NC area, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Mount Olive Municipal Airport. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary for the continued safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations within the Goldsboro, NC, airspace area. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of Mount Olive Municipal Airport and the Seymour Johnson TACAN.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that we have prepared a Record of Decision (ROD) for the ``Taos Regional Airport, Airport Layout Plan Improvements'' Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Town of Taos, owner and operator of Taos Regional Airport located in Taos, New Mexico, has requested the FAA to approve revisions to its Airport Layout Plan (ALP) to reflect and allow construction of a new runway and other associated airport projects; the Town is requesting Federal funding for the project. This ROD sets forth FAA's final determination and environmental approvals for the federal actions necessary to implement the proposed airport improvements under Alternative 2D, the FAA's selected alternative, and the Airport Sponsor to proceed with processing an application for federal funding.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 500, 501, 550, 551, S550, 560, 560XL, and 650 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of smoke and/or fire in the tailcone caused by sparking due to excessive wear of the brushes in the air conditioning (A/C) motor. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine the accumulated hours on certain A/C drive motor assemblies; repetitive replacement of the brushes in the drive motor assembly, or as an option to the brush replacement, deactivation of the air conditioner; and return of replaced brushes to Cessna. We are proposing this AD to prevent the brushes in the A/C motor from wearing down beyond their limits, which could result in the rivet in the brush contacting the commutator causing sparks and consequent fire and/or smoke in the tailcone with no means to detect or extinguish the fire and/or smoke.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at St. George Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), now 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of electro-valve power supply disruptions while a helicopter is on the ground, causing the landing gear to retract and the helicopter nose to drop. This results in damage to the forward section of the helicopter's bottom structure. This proposed AD would require modifying the main landing gear control panel (control panel) 33G, connector 100G, and wiring. It also would require tests to ensure that these modifications function correctly. We propose this AD to prevent an uncommanded landing gear retraction that would cause the helicopter nose to drop and hit the ground while the rotor blades are spinning.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Model SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS365N3 helicopters. This proposed AD would revise the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to prohibit flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or night visual flight rules (VFR) for each helicopter with a vertical gyro unit GV76-1 installed upon a non-reinforced shelf in the rear cargo compartment. Also, this proposed AD would require modifying the GV76-1 vertical gyro unit shelf and testing for correct function of the navigation systems. This proposed AD is prompted by flight crew reports of deviations between the displayed attitude on the attitude display screen and the independent electromechanical standby attitude indicator. The proposed actions are intended to prevent an undetected flight display error of a slow drift in the roll axis, disorientation of the pilot, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 875-17, RB211-Trent 877-17, RB211-Trent 884-17, RB211-Trent 884B-17, RB211-Trent 892-17, RB211- Trent 892B-17, and RB211-Trent 895-17 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (UIs) of certain low-pressure (LP) compressor blades identified by serial number (S/N). This new AD requires the same actions but expands the population of blades. This AD was prompted by the need to add the inspections of the LP compressor blades listed by S/N in Appendices 3H through 3L of RR plc Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. RB.211-72-AG244, Revision 4, dated December 22, 2011. We are issuing this AD to prevent multiple LP compressor blades from failing due to blade root cracks, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes, Model A330-200 series airplanes, Model A330-300 series airplanes, Model A340-200 series airplanes, and Model A340-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight turn back after the nose landing gear (NLG) did not retract after take-off. This proposed AD would require repetitive overhaul of the NLG retraction actuator. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the retraction actuator, which could cause collapse of the NLG after touchdown and possible injury to flightcrew and passengers.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, B4-620, B4-605R, and B4-622R airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the door frame shells of passenger doors 2 and 4 may not have sufficient structural strength to enable the airplane to operate safely. This proposed AD would require reinforcing of the door frame shells of passenger doors 2 and 4 on both sides of the fuselage. We are proposing this AD to prevent structural failure of the door frame shells, which could result in in-flight decompression of the airplane and consequent injury to passengers.

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 burned contacts in a certain production break plug and its corresponding receptacle. This AD requires modifying galley power supply wiring by disconnecting it from the affected plug/ receptacle and reconnecting the power supply wiring through splices. We are issuing this AD to prevent a high electrical load, which might lead to overheating of the galley power supply wiring and/or the electrical connector and consequent smoke or fire in the galley area, which could result in damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

The FAA issued NASTAR a safety approval, subject to the provisions of Title 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, ch. 509, and the orders, rules and regulations issued under it. Pursuant to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 414.35, this Notice publishes the criteria that were used to evaluate the safety approval application.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at the Meade Municipal Airport (MEJ), Meade, Kansas, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-300 series airplanes and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that, during a flight test, several spoiler servo-controls (SSCs) did not remain locked in the retracted position (hydraulic locking function) after manual depressurization of the corresponding hydraulic circuit. Loss of that locking functionwhich is ensured by a blocking valvewas caused by an internal leak from a sheared seal on the blocking valve. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine if certain SSCs are installed, performing an operational test of any affected SSC, and replacing if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of the hydraulic locking function during take-off and go-around phases, which, in combination with malfunction of one engine, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a review that determined that the runway slope and anti-ice corrections to V1 and take-off distances in the Gulfstream G150 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) were presented in a non-conservative manner. This proposed AD would require revising the performance section of the AFM to include procedures to advise the flightcrew of certain runway slope and anti-ice corrections and take- off distance values. We are proposing this AD to prevent the use of published non-conservative data, which could result in the inability to meet the required take-off performance, with consequent hazard to safe operation during performance-limited take-off operations.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-202, -203, -223, -243, -302, -323, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-313 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that a specific batch of cargo doors might have deviations in quality related to door structure, such as irregular bore holes, improper application of sealant and paint, or uncleanliness. This proposed AD would require inspecting to identify the part and serial numbers of the forward and aft cargo doors, and replacing the affected cargo doors. We are proposing this AD to prevent the degraded structural capability of the cargo door, a primary structure, from leading to failure of the door, which could lead to a breach through the door or the door detaching from the airplane, resulting in potential rapid decompression.

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.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 9, 2012, vol. 77, no. 131, page 40404. 14 CFR part 135 prescribes requirement for Air Carrier/Commercial Operators. The info collected shows compliance and applicant eligibility.

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on July 9, 2012, vol. 77, no. 131, page 40405. This information is used to issue special flight authorizations for non- revenue transports and non-transport jet operations of Stage 2 airplanes at U.S. airports. A minimal amount of data is requested to identify the affected parties and determine whether the purpose for the flight is one enumerated by law.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received the final application from the Puerto Rico Ports Authority and Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority for the participation of Luis Mu[ntilde]oz Mar[iacute]n International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) in the Airport Privatization Pilot Program and has determined that the final application is substantially complete and accepted for review. The FAA is seeking information and comments from interested parties on the final application. In furtherance of this effort, the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration will conduct a public meeting on Friday, September 28, 2012, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Title 49 U.S.C. Section 47134 establishes an airport privatization pilot program and authorizes the Department of Transportation to grant exemptions from certain Federal statutory and regulatory requirement for up to five airport privatization projects. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 expanded the pilot program from five to ten airports. The application procedures require the FAA to publish a notice of receipt of the final application in the Federal Register and accept public comment on the final application for a period of 60 days.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires accomplishment of the TU166 modification. This new AD requires adding the Arriel 2S2 and 2C2 engines to the applicability of engines requiring the TU166 modification with different compliance times. This AD was prompted by reports of an accident involving a twin-engine helicopter powered by two Arriel 2S2 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of a gas generator (GG) turbine blade, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown and a forced landing or accident.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking in the web of the aft pressure bulkhead at body station 1016 at the aft fastener row attachment to the ``Y'' chord, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds various inspections for discrepancies at the aft pressure bulkhead, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by several reports of fatigue cracking at that location. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the fuselage.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters to require cleaning, inspecting, and lubricating each tangential gearbox (gearbox) and adjusting, as necessary, the fuel shut-off control lever. This AD was prompted by the jamming of one of two fuel shut-off control levers because of solidified grease in the gearbox. A companion gearbox had extensive corrosion. In case of an emergency, pilots may need to use the control levers to shut off fuel going into the engine and to shut off the helicopter's electrical power system. The jamming of the levers prevents the shut off of the engine fuel and prevents the parallel- mounted micro switches from switching off the electrical power system. These actions are intended to prevent the jamming of the control levers, which could prevent shut-off of the engine fuel and electrical power system during an emergency shutdown.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a detailed repetitive inspection of the exhaust system downstream of the turbochargers and repair or replacement of parts as necessary. Since we issued that AD, forced landings of aircraft have occurred due to exhaust system failures upstream of aircraft turbochargers and between recurring detailed inspections. This proposed AD would require both visual and detailed repetitive inspections, expanding the inspection scope to include the entirety of each airplane exhaust system. We are proposing this AD to prevent the possibility of an inflight powerplant fire due to an exhaust system failure.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700 and -700C 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 at certain locations at chem-mill 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.