Federal Aviation Administration 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopter, which proposed revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), Operating Limitations section, to prohibit Class D external load operations, including human external cargo (HEC), because this model helicopter was not certificated to one-engine inoperative performance standards for carrying Class D external loads. This Supplemental NPRM is prompted by a recent design approval, which allows Class D external load operations if the appropriate operating limitations are included in the RFM. This proposed AD is intended to require appropriate operating limitations to allow operators to perform Class D external load-combination operations, including HEC, in this model helicopter that now meets the Category A performance standard.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the sixtieth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 135, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twentieth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 213, Enhanced Flight Vision Systems/Synthetic Vision Systems (EFVS/SVS).

The FAA assigned the ARAC a new task arising from recommendations of the Airman Testing Standards and Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). The ARC recommended ways to ensure that the FAA's airman testing and training materials better support reduction of fatal general aviation accidents. The new task is to integrate 14 CFR part 61 aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency requirements for the private pilot and flight instructor certificates and the instrument rating into a single Airman Certification Standards document for each type of certificate and rating; to develop a detailed proposal to realign FAA training handbooks with the Airman Certification Standards documents; and to propose knowledge test item bank questions consistent with the integrated Airman Certification Standards documents and the principles set forth in the ARC's recommendations. This action item informs the public of the new ARAC's task and solicits membership for the new Airman Testing Standards and Training Working Group (Working Group).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of an incorrect procedure used to apply the wear and corrosion protective surface coating to attach pins of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine the part number of the attach pins of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar, and replacing certain attach pins with new, improved attach pins. We are proposing this AD to prevent premature failure of the attach pins, which could cause reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer to fuselage attachment, resulting in loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172RG, R182, TR182, FR182, 210N, T210N, 210R, T210R, P210N, P210R, and T303 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a cockpit fire that appeared to originate from the area of the landing gear's hydraulic power pack system. This proposed AD would require you inspect the aircraft's hydraulic power pack wiring for incorrect installation, and if needed, correct the installation. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for an Airport Layout Plan revision effecting approximately 422 acres of airport property at Mather Airport, Sacramento, California, which will provide for a release from the Grant Agreement Assurance obligations since the property does not have an airport purpose. The property was leased by the United States Air Force (Air Force) to the County of Sacramento (County) for airport purposes following the closure of Mather Air Force Base pursuant to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1988, as amended. The Air Force is now preparing to terminate the lease and convey the airport land to the County under the provision of the Surplus Property Act of 1944, as amended. The County and Air Force determined that certain portions of the leased land do not have an airport purpose, so these parcels of land will not be conveyed by the Air Force to the County. As a result, the existing Airport Layout Plan will be revised to delete the parcels that will not be conveyed to the County because these parcels do not have any airport purposes now or in the future.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Circle Town County Airport, Circle Town, MT to accommodate aircraft using new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Circle Town County Airport. This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received written notice, dated July 30, 2012, from the city of Cincinnati advising that on August 29, 2012, it was permanently closing Cincinnati Blue Ash Airport (ISZ), Cincinnati, Ohio; the notice was in excess of 30 days before the closure in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 46319(a). The FAA hereby publishes the city of Cincinnati's notice of permanent closure of Cincinnati Blue Ash Airport in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 46319(b).

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the meeting of the RTCA Program Management Committee (PMC).

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Spanish Peaks Airfield, Walsenburg, CO. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at the airport, and to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GA200 (Pty) Ltd Models GA200 and GA200C airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of the strut bolt through the main spar. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 707-100 long body, -200, -100B long body, and -100B short body series airplanes; Model 707-300, -300B, -300C, and - 400 series airplanes; and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of stress corrosion cracking in the chord segments made from 7079 aluminum in the horizontal stabilizer rear spar, and potential early fatigue cracking in the chord segments made from 7075 aluminum. For certain airplanes, this AD requires using redefined flight cycle counts, determining the type of material of the horizontal stabilizer, rear spar, and upper and lower chords on the inboard and outboard ends of the rear spar; repetitively inspecting for cracking of the horizontal stabilizer components; and repairing or replacing the chord, or modifying chord segments made from 7079 aluminum, if necessary. For all airplanes, this AD requires inspecting certain structurally significant items, and repairing discrepancies if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct stress corrosion and/or potential early fatigue cracking in the horizontal stabilizer, which could compromise the structural integrity of the stabilizer.

This document contains a summary of the agency's decision on a petition for exemption. The purpose of the document is to improve the public's awareness and inform affected operators of the FAA's decision.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Sikorsky Model S-70, S-70A, S-70C, S-70C (M), and S-70C (M1) helicopters with General Electric (GE) T700-GE-401C or T700-GE-701C engines installed. This proposed AD is prompted by a reevaluation of the method for determining the life limit for certain GE engine gas generator turbine (GGT) rotor parts and the determination that these life limits need to be based on low cycle fatigue events instead of hours time-in-service. The proposed actions are intended to establish new fatigue life limits for certain GGT rotor parts to prevent fatigue failure of a GGT rotor part, engine failure, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700, -700C, -800, and - 900ER series airplanes, Model 747-400F series airplanes, and Model 767- 200 and -300 series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require an inspection for affected serial numbers of the crew oxygen mask stowage box units; and replacement of the crew oxygen mask stowage box unit with a new crew oxygen mask stowage unit, if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports indicating that certain crew oxygen mask stowage box units were possibly delivered with a burr in the inlet fitting. The burr might break loose during test or operation, and might pose an ignition source or cause an inlet valve to jam. This action revises that NPRM by adding a step to identify and label certain crew oxygen mask stowage box units that have already been inspected and reworked by the supplier, and allowing operators to install new or serviceable crew oxygen mask stowage box units. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent an ignition source, which could result in an oxygen-fed fire; or an inlet valve jam in a crew oxygen mask stowage box unit, which could result in restricted flow of oxygen. 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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failure of a screw cap or end cap of the auxiliary hydraulic system accumulator while on the ground, which resulted in loss of use of that hydraulic system and high-energy impact damage to adjacent systems and structures. This proposed AD would require inspecting for the correct serial number of a certain hydraulic system accumulator, and replacing affected hydraulic system accumulators with new or serviceable accumulators. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of a screw cap or end cap and loss of the related hydraulic system, which could result in damage to airplane structure and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747- 400F series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires installing drains and drain tubes to eliminate water accumulation in the dripshield above the M826 cardfile in the main equipment center. Since we issued that AD, we received reports of continued water damage to diode fire card 285U0072-1 in the M826 automatic fire overheat logic test system cardfile following a false FWD CARGO FIRE message, with no change in frequency, which resulted in an air turn back. This proposed AD would instead require installing drain tubes, relocating wire bundle routing, installing a new drip shield and drip shield deflectors, and replacing insulation blankets. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also concurrently require sealing the drain slot, installing spuds, and installing drain tubes. We are proposing this AD to prevent water from exiting over the edge of the existing drip shield and contaminating electrical components in the M826 cardfile, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, -500, -600, -700, - 700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a review of the tail strobe light installation, which revealed that the tail strobe light is not electrically bonded to primary structure of the airplane. This proposed AD would require installing a new tail strobe light housing and a new disconnect bracket, and changing the wire bundles. We are proposing this AD, in case of a direct lightning strike to the tail strobe light, to prevent damage to the operation of other critical airplane systems due to electromagnetic coupling and large transient voltages, and damage to the control mechanisms or surfaces due to a fire, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9- 50 series airplanes; and Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9- 83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), MD-88, and MD-90-30 airplanes; equipped with center wing fuel tank and Boeing original equipment manufacturer- installed auxiliary fuel tanks. This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This AD requires adding design features to detect electrical faults and to detect a pump running in an empty fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action proposes to modify VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-170 between Devils Lake, ND (DVL), and Jamestown, ND (JMS). The FAA is proposing this action to ensure the airway provides the necessary clearance from the western boundary of the newly established restricted area R-5402, Devils Lake, ND, to support non- radar separation requirements when the restricted area is active.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Division PW4000-94'' and PW4000-100'' turbofan engines having a 1st stage high-pressure turbine (HPT) seal support, part number (P/N) 55K601 (contained within assembly P/N 55K602-01) or P/N 50K532 (contained within assembly P/N 50K530-01), installed. This AD was prompted by 58 reports of cracked 1st stage HPT air seal rings, including 15 in-flight engine shutdowns. This AD requires removal and replacement of the 1st stage HPT seal support and inspection of the 1st stage HPT air seal ring. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 1st stage HPT air seal ring, which could lead to an internal oil fire, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on request by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority to change a portion of airport property from aeronautical to non- aeronautical use at the Louisville International Airport, Louisville, Kentucky. The request consists approximately of 1.27 acres of fee simple release. This action is taken under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of water leaking into electrical and electronic equipment in the main equipment center (MEC). This AD requires modifying the floor panels; removing drains; installing floor supports, floor drain trough doublers, drain troughs, and drains; and sealing and taping the floor panels. We are issuing this AD to prevent water from entering the MEC, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France Model AS350 helicopters. This AD requires installing protection sleeves over certain forward (pitch) servo-control hydraulic hoses. This AD was prompted by an in-flight fire caused by the ignition of hydraulic fluid leaking from a damaged forward servo-control hydraulic hose. This AD's actions are intended to prevent the forward servo-control hydraulic hoses from becoming damaged and leaking hydraulic fluid that could ignite in flight, which could result in loss of main rotor (M/R) control, power loss, structural damage, propagation of fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.