Federal Aviation Administration 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to amend the maintenance regulations for domestic, flag, and supplemental operations, and commuter and on-demand operations for aircraft type certificated with a passenger seating configuration of 10 seats or more (excluding any pilot seat). The proposed rules would require these operators to develop policies, procedures, methods, and instructions for performing contract maintenance that are acceptable to the FAA and to include them in their maintenance manuals. The rules would also require the operators to provide a list to the FAA of all persons with whom they contract their maintenance. These changes are needed because contract maintenance has increased to over 70 percent of all air carrier maintenance, and numerous investigations have shown deficiencies in maintenance performed by contract maintenance providers. The proposals would help ensure consistency between contract and in-house air carrier maintenance and enhance the oversight capabilities of both the air carriers and the FAA.

The FAA is withdrawing a previously published direct final rule that would have allowed launch operators that conduct certain amateur rocket launches to voluntarily apply for a commercial space transportation license or experimental permit. The FAA is withdrawing this action because of the adverse comments it received.

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 hydrophobic coatings. 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 757 series airplanes. These airplanes as modified by Flight Structures, Inc. will have novel or unusual design features associated with seats that include non-traditional, large, non-metallic panels that would affect survivability during a post-crash fire event. 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL- 600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain wing-to-fuselage attachment nuts do not conform to the certification design requirements for dual locking features. This AD requires repetitive inspections to determine that cotter pins are installed at affected wing-to-fuselage attachment joints and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of wing-to-fuselage attachment joints, which could result in the loss of the wing.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-243, -243F, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of air intake cowls on Rolls-Royce Trent engines, worn and detached attachment links, and fractured thermal anti-ice (TAI) piccolo tubes. This AD requires inspecting piccolo tubes, piccolo tube mount links, the aft side of the forward bulkhead, and outer boundary angles (OBA) for cracks, fractures, and broken links, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent degraded structural integrity of the engine nose cowl in case of forward bulkhead damage in conjunction with a broken piccolo tube, and damage to the engine due to operation in icing conditions with reduced TAI performance.

This action proposes special conditions for the Turbomeca Ardiden 3K model engines. This engine model will have a novel or unusual design feature which is a 30-minute all engines operating (AEO) power rating for hovering at increased power (HIP). This rating is primarily intended for high-power hovering operations that are normal mission functions. 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 FAA considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial number Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW206B, PW206B2, PW206C, PW207C, PW207D, PW207D1, PW207D2, and PW207E turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery that certain power turbine (PT) disks were made to specific heat codes that may not achieve the maximum in-service life. This proposed AD would require re-identification of the PT disk to a part number (P/N) with a lower life limit. We are proposing this AD to prevent possible uncontained PT disk failure and loss of helicopter control.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, - 300, -400 and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time mid-frequency eddy current (MFEC) inspection, a low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspection, and a detailed inspection for damage or cracking of stringer S-4L and S-4R lap joints and stringer clips between body station (BS) 540 and BS 727, and follow-on inspections and repair if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports of cracking of the lap joint lower row. This proposed AD would instead require repetitive external eddy current inspections for cracking of certain fuselage crown lap joints and corrective actions; internal eddy current and detailed inspections for cracking of certain fuselage crown lap joints, and repair if necessary; and detailed inspections of certain stringer clips, and replacement with new stringer clips if necessary. This proposed AD would also add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the fuselage lap joints, which could result in sudden decompression of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model A330-200, -300 and -200 Freighter series airplanes; and all Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the bonding lead from a certain isolation valve to a frame was too close to an electrical harness, which might cause chafing between the electrical harness and the associated bonding lead. This chafing could lead to a short circuit of the isolation valve and consequent non-closure of the isolation valve, which would prevent the air-flow to be shut-off in case of fire. This proposed AD would require modifying the bonding lead installation of the isolation valve. We are proposing this AD to prevent such chafing, which could result in non-closure of the isolation valve in the event of a fire and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to its occupants.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-710 series turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by service experience that demonstrated premature wear of the splined coupling on the fuel pump. This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected fuel pump splined couplings. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the engine and loss 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.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG Rotax 912 F2; 912 F3; 912 F4; 912 S2; 912 S3; and 912 S4 reciprocating engines. The word ``not'' was improperly omitted from the Installation Prohibition section of the AD, thereby changing the prohibition in the AD. This correction reinserts ``not'' into the paragraph to correct the omission. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Model P2006T airplanes. 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 multiple cracks found on the outboard aileron hinge support of a P2006T airplane during an inspection. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing found on the main landing gear (MLG) yoke. The chafing was attributed to contact between the nacelle fire detection wires and the MLG yoke. This proposed AD would require inspections of the nacelle fire detection wires and the MLG yoke for damage; replacing nacelle fire detection wires, if necessary; repairing the MLG yoke, if necessary; and installing new brackets and associated hardware to secure the fire detection wires. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing between the nacelle fire detection wires and the MLG yoke. Chafing could lead to cracking and subsequent failure of the MLG yoke, which could adversely affect the safe landing of the airplane. In addition, chafing of the nacelle fire detection wires could cause them to fail and prevent the detection of a fire in the nacelle assembly.

This action amends Class E airspace at Breckenridge, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Stephens County Airport. The airport's geographic coordinates are also adjusted. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace at Perry, IA. Decommissioning of the Perry non-directional beacon (NDB) at Perry Municipal Airport has made reconfiguration necessary for standard instrument approach procedures and for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks of the wing rear spar lower cap at the outboard flap, inboard drive hinge at station Xrs=164.000. This AD requires repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) inspections for cracking on the aft side of the left and right wing rear spar lower caps at station Xrs=164.000, further ETHF inspections if cracks are found, and repair if necessary; and repetitive post-repair inspections, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the left and right rear spar lower caps, which could result in fuel leaks and damage to the wing skin or other structure, and consequent loss of the structural integrity of the wing.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 and - 300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of ram air turbine (RAT) pump failure. This AD requires inspecting the RAT pump anti-stall valve for correct setting, re-identifying the RAT pump, performing a functional ground test of the RAT, and replacing the RAT pump or the RAT assembly with a serviceable part if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct malfunction of the RAT pump, which could lead to in-flight loss of the RAT-pump pressurization, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Model BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD was prompted by hydraulic pipe ruptures in the center of the cabin resulting in passengers being contaminated with hydraulic fluid. This AD requires installing a hydraulic fluid containment system. We are issuing this AD to prevent harmful or hazardous concentrations of hydraulic fluid or hydraulic vapor from entering the passenger compartment, possibly resulting in injury to the passengers.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection of the shafts of the main landing gear (MLG) side-brace fittings to detect corrosion, and the forward and aft bushings in the left-hand and right- hand MLG side-brace fittings to detect discrepancies. The existing AD also requires corrective and related actions if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for corrosion and damage of the MLG side-brace fitting, and replacing the side-brace fitting shaft with the re-designed side-brace fitting shaft of the MLG if necessary. This AD also requires eventual replacement of certain side-brace fitting shafts with the re-designed part. Replacement with a re- designed side-brace fitting shaft of the MLG is terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the side-brace fitting shaft of the main landing gear (MLG) due to corrosion. We are issuing this AD to prevent fractures of the side- brace fitting shafts of the MLG, and possible collapse of the MLG.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 25. 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.

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 the 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) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of deformation at the neck of the pressure regulator body on the oxygen cylinder and regulator assemblies (CRAs), and an electrical wiring harness in the area of the oxygen cylinder with no protective conduit sleeving. This AD requires inspecting to determine if certain oxygen pressure regulators are installed and replacing oxygen CRAs containing pressure regulators that do not meet the required material properties. This AD also requires inspecting for damaged wiring, and repairing or replacing wiring if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of the oxygen cylinder, which in the case of cabin depressurization, would lead to oxygen not being available when required; and to detect and correct unprotected wiring that could chafe against the oxygen system components or surrounding structure in the area, and lead to electrical arcing and an oxygen-fed fire.