Federal Aviation Administration February 1, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 the Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require changing the direction of the bolt connecting the upper clevis bolt of a specific bellcrank in the main rotor assembly, repetitively inspecting the bearings in the bellcrank assemblies for correct staking, and replacing a bellcrank if a bearing is staked incorrectly. This proposed AD is prompted by improperly staked bellcrank bearings, which may cause the bellcrank to shift in the axial direction and cause chafing. The proposed actions are intended to prevent contact between the bolts on certain main rotor bellcranks, which could result in chafing and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all EADS CASA (Type Certificate previously held by Construcciones Aeron[aacute]uticas, S.A.) Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect electrical polarity connections on engine fire extinguishing discharge cartridges. This AD requires a one-time inspection to identify the correct polarity for each pair of electrical connectors on each engine fire extinguisher cartridge, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrect polarity connections, which could prevent the actuation of the discharge cartridge in case of automatic fire detection or manual initiation during a potential engine fire, and could result in damage to the airplane and injury to passengers.

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 a report of a manufacturing defect in certain rods installed in the belly fairing, which could lead to cracks at the crimped end of the rod. This AD requires an inspection of the rods to determine the manufacturer; and for affected parts, an inspection for any cracking of the rods, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the rods, which could result in rupture of rods that attach the belly fairing to the airframe, leading to separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, and consequent damage to airplane structure and airplane systems.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Model BAe 146, and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of loss of the end caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube of the wing leading edge. This AD requires a detailed inspection of the end caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube for lost or loose end caps, and replacing or repairing the end caps if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct lost and loose end caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube, and ice accretion on the wing leading edge or run-back ice, which could lead to a reduction in the stall margin on approach and loss of controllability of the airplane.