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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede an existing airworthiness directive for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI), Model MD900 helicopters. The existing AD requires a visual inspection, and if necessary, an eddy current inspection of the main rotor lower hub assembly (lower hub) for a crack. If a crack exists, the AD requires replacing the lower hub with an airworthy lower hub before further flight. Because that AD was immediately effective, we declined to require certain long-term actions prior to public comment. This superseding AD will require the same inspections as the existing AD but will also require long-term recurring inspections and replacing the lower hub with an airworthy lower hub. We are issuing this AD to detect a crack in the lower hub and prevent failure of the lower hub and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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 Bell Model 430 helicopters, which would require replacing certain components of the air data system. This proposed AD is prompted by the discovery of incorrect indicated airspeed when the helicopter was tested to the cold temperature limits (-40 degrees centigrade) required for Category A operations. The proposed actions are intended to correct the published Vne and to correct the indicated airspeed.

This action proposes to modify VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) Federal airway V-595 in Oregon. The FAA is proposing this action to redescribe the route due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Portland, OR, VOR/DME facility which currently serves as an end point for the route.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the forward bulkhead web, web stiffeners, attachment angles, and thermal anti-ice (TAI) spray ring assemblies of the engine air intake cowl. This proposed AD would require replacing the forward bulkhead assembly, TAI spray ring assembly, and attachment fittings of the air intake cowl. We are proposing this AD to prevent the failure of air intake cowl components due to cracking, which could result in the air intake cowl separating from the engine and striking critical airplane control surfaces that could result in a loss of airplane control; severe engine damage and loss of thrust; or large parts striking a person or property on the ground.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes with modification 160500 and Model A321 series airplanes with modification 160023 (Sharklet). These airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features include electronic flight controls that affect maneuvering. 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes with modification 160500 and Model A321 series airplanes with modification 160023 (Sharklet). These airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The design features are associated with the systems that affect the structural performance of the airplane. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. 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.

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 alternating current (AC) generator failures in-service due to incomplete fusion in the weld joint of the rotor band assembly. This AD requires inspecting the AC generator to determine the part number, and replacing the AC generator if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent rotor windings from coming in contact with the generator housing, which could result in debris contaminating and potentially blocking the engine oil scavenge system, leading to loss of oil pressure and an in-flight shutdown of the engine.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200 and -200C series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of elevator vibration and bearing swage failures. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for any discrepancies (such as a gap or a loose spacer) of the aft attach lugs for the elevator tab control mechanism, and replacement if necessary; and, for other airplanes, contacting the FAA for inspection or repair instructions and doing the work specified in those instructions. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies in the aft attach lugs for the elevator tab control mechanism, which could result in elevator and tab vibration. Consequent structural failure of the elevator or horizontal stabilizer could result in loss of structural integrity and loss of airplane control.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320-214, -232 and -233; and Model A321-211, -213, and -231 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a missing fastener between certain stringers of the fuselage frame which connects the frame to a tee. This proposed AD would require a rototest inspection and modification or repair of the fuselage frame at the affected area. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the fuselage that could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310-203 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an analysis that demonstrated a reduced fatigue life for the side link bolts, center sway link bolts, and thrust link bolts on the forward engine mounts. This proposed AD would require repetitive replacement of those bolts. We are proposing this AD to prevent deterioration of the structural integrity of the bolts, which could result in possible damage to an engine or wing.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that, for certain airplanes, reinforcement straps were not bonded to the center overhead stowage bins in the passenger compartment. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require performing an inspection of reinforcement straps to ensure they are correctly bonded to the center overhead stowage bins, and bonding the reinforcement straps to the center overhead stowage bins if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require installing reinforcement straps on the center overhead stowage bins. We are proposing this AD to prevent missing or incorrectly bonded reinforcement straps, which could result in the center overhead stowage bins breaking loose and causing injury to passengers and damage to equipment during in-flight turbulence.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a revision to the airplane airworthiness limitations to introduce more stringent inspection requirements on certain affected components. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to incorporate revised tasks specified in certain temporary revisions. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the affected components and consequent loss of structural integrity.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters equipped with emergency floats, which would require replacing the inflation valve assembly. The proposed AD is prompted by failure of the emergency floats to deploy during a factory test because a needle was binding within the inflation valve assembly. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the failure of the floats to inflate during an emergency landing.

This notice concerns a petition for waiver submitted to the FAA by Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) to waive in part the requirement that a launch operator enter into a reciprocal waiver of claims with each customer. The FAA grants the petition.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. That AD currently requires a modification to trim the edge of the bumper plate, including performing an inspection for damage or cracks of the bumper plate and base fitting, and replacing any damaged or cracked part. That AD also currently requires, for certain airplanes, reidentifying the bumper plate. This new AD requires, for airplanes on which the reidentification is done, an operational check of the alternate extension system of the main landing gear (MLG), and repair if necessary. This AD was prompted by the determination that an operational check must be done after reidentifying the bumper plate to ensure the identified unsafe condition is addressed. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failure of the MLG to extend and lock, which could adversely affect the safe landing of the airplane.

This action proposes to modify VHF omnirange (VOR) Federal airway V-537 in Georgia. The FAA is proposing this action to realign the route due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Moultrie, GA, VOR/DME facility which forms a point along the route.

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.

The FAA is correcting the title of the publication ``American Air Almanac'' to its current title ``Air Almanac''. This document corrects this minor technical error in the codified regulations.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the in-tank fuel boost pump wiring to detect chafing of the wire insulation, evidence of electrical arcing, or arc-through of the conduit wall, and applicable corrective action; and installation of sleeving over the in- tank fuel boost pump wires. The existing AD also requires repetitive inspections for damage of a certain electrical wire and sleeve, and arcing damage of the conduit and signs of fuel leakage into the conduit; applicable investigative and corrective actions; and repetitive engine fuel suction feed operational tests. Since we issued that AD, we received a report of damage found to the sleeve, jacket, and insulation on an electrical wire during a repetitive inspection. This proposed AD would require replacement of the wire bundles for the wing and center fuel boost pumps with new, improved wire bundles, installation of convoluted liners, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require replacement of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) wires with new, improved wires; a low-frequency eddy current inspection for cracking; and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also require revising the maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness limitations section. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the fuel boost pump electrical wiring and leakage of fuel into the conduit, and to prevent electrical arcing between the wiring and the surrounding conduit, which could result in arc-through of the conduit, and consequent fire or explosion of the fuel tank.

We propose to supersede two existing airworthiness directives (AD) that apply to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, - 200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD, for certain Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes currently requires repetitive inspections of the aft end of each inboard flap track of the wing outboard flap, and corrective actions, if necessary. The existing AD, for certain Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes requires repetitive inspections for cracks in the upper flange of the inboard track at the rear spar attachments of each outboard flap, and corrective action, if necessary. That AD also requires, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the rear spar attachments and cracks in the upper flange of the inboard track at the rear spar attachment of each outboard flap, and eventual rework of the flap track assembly and rear spar attachments, including replacement of the flap track with a new track, if necessary. Since we issued those ADs, we have received reports that the work sequence and procedures used during track installation could also cause loose or cracked tracks. This proposed AD would require an inspection for damage and stop-drill repairs along the flap track; an inspection for damage, cracking, and stop-drill repairs along the track webs; and an inspection for damage of the flap track web and flanges, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require, for certain airplanes, an inspection for signs of movement between the tapered shim and anti-fret strip, installation of the anti-fret strip, and corrosion of the tapered shim and anti-fret strip; an inspection for signs of movement, cracks and corrosion where the track is attached to the wing rear spar; an inspection for cracking of the outboard edge of the track; an inspection for cracking of the inner edge of the track; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require repetitive overhauls of the flap track and repetitive post-overhaul inspections and corrective actions if necessary; an inspection to determine the part number of the flap track assembly, and replacement of affected parts if necessary; and would also add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking and damage in the flap track, which could cause loss of the outboard trailing edge flap and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes; Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes; and Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an activation of the control column shaker during takeoff. This proposed AD would require performing a general visual inspection to determine if a certain angle of attack (AOA) sensor with a paddle type vane is installed, and, for affected sensors, performing an operational test of the stall warning system, and replacing the AOA sensor with a new sensor if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent erroneous activation of the control column shaker during takeoff, which could result in runway overrun, failure to clear terrain or obstacles after takeoff, or reduced controllability of the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the release of land at the McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport, in the city of Jackson, TN. This property, approximately 4.0 acres, will change to a non-aeronautical use. This action is taken under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. Section 47107(h)(2) requiring public notice before a waiver of property designated to be used for an aeronautical purpose is granted.

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 chafing between the wire harness along the wing leading edge and the inboard end rib of the wing leading edge due to insufficient clearance. This AD requires inspecting the wire harness along the leading edge for chafing damage, and repair if necessary; and relocating and installing new anchor nuts. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing damage to the wire harness along the wing leading edge, which if not corrected, could lead to the loss of the airframe de-icing system, and could become a possible ignition source causing fire.

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.