Federal Aviation Administration January 9, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action modifies the Atlanta, GA, Class B airspace area to ensure the containment of large turbine-powered aircraft operating to and from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and reduce the potential for midair collision in the Atlanta, GA, terminal area.

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, notice is hereby given of a teleconference of the Business/Legal Working Group (BLWG) of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE), V2525-D5 and V2528-D5 turbofan engines, with a certain number (No.) 4 bearing internal scavenge tube and a certain No. 4 bearing external scavenge tube installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an engine under-cowl fire and commanded in-flight shutdown. This proposed AD would require replacement of certain part number (P/N) No. 4 bearing internal scavenge tubes, and alignment checks of certain P/N No. 4 bearing external scavenge tubes. We are proposing this AD to prevent engine fire and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flight crew of emergency procedures for addressing Angle of Attack (AoA) sensor blockage. This AD also provides for optional terminating action for the AFM revision, which involves replacing AoA sensor conic plates with AoA sensor flat plates. This AD was prompted by a report that an airplane equipped with AoA sensors installed with conic plates recently experienced blockage of all sensors during climb, leading to autopilot disconnection and activation of the alpha protection (Alpha Prot) when Mach number was increased. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced control of the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH models TAE 125-01, TAE 125-02- 99, and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines. That AD currently requires installation of full-authority digital electronic control (FADEC) software version 2.91. This new AD requires removing all software mapping versions prior to 292, 301, or 302, applicable to the TAE engine model. This AD was prompted by reports of possible power loss on airplanes equipped with TAE 125 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine power loss or in-flight shutdown, resulting in reduced control of or damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Honeywell International Inc. air data pressure transducers as installed on various aircraft. This AD requires various tests or checks of equipment having certain air data pressure transducers, and removal of equipment if necessary. As an option to the tests or checks, this AD allows removal of affected equipment having certain air data pressure transducers. This AD was prompted by a report of a pressure measurement error in the pressure transducer used in various air data systems, which translates into air data parameter errors. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct inaccuracies of the pressure sensors, which could result in altitude, computed airspeed, true airspeed, and Mach computation errors. These errors could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight of the aircraft and could result in consequent loss of control of the aircraft.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH Models GROB G 109 and GROB G 109B sailplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 corrosion and/or cracking of the elevator control rod that could lead to failure of the elevator control rod with consequent loss of control. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.