Federal Aviation Administration March 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-61A, D, E, L, N, NM, R, and V helicopters to require replacing each forward and aft fuel system 40 micron fuel filter element with a 10 micron nominal (40 micron absolute) fuel filter element. This AD was prompted by a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) review of in-service events where engine performance degradation occurred, and the review determined that some of these events were caused by contaminants larger than 10 microns present in the engine fuel control units (FCUs). The actions are intended to prevent particulate contamination in the FCU, which could lead to malfunction of an internal valve, power loss at a critical phase of flight, and loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61, 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. The existing AD currently requires inspection of the intermediate-pressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks. Since we issued that AD, a crack was detected in a Trent 500 IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land during a shop visit, and further engineering evaluation done by RR concluded that the cracking may also exist in Trent 900 engines. This proposed AD would require inspections of the IP compressor rotor shaft as required by the existing AD while adding on-wing inspections for the Trent 500 engines, and on-wing and in-shop inspections for the Trent 900 engines. We are proposing this AD to detect cracking on the IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land, which could lead to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of in-service events related to electrical power system malfunctions resulting in damage to electrical load management system (ELMS) P200 and P300 power panels and the surrounding area. This AD requires installing enclosure trays to contain debris in certain ELMS panels, and replacing certain ELMS contactors. We are issuing this AD to prevent contactor failures, which could result in uncontained hot debris flow due to ELMS contactor breakdown, consequent smoke and heat damage to airplane structure and equipment during ground operations, and possible injuries to passengers and crew.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This AD requires doing an inspection to identify the part number of the motor-operated valve (MOV) actuators of the main and center fuel tanks; replacing certain MOV actuators with new MOV actuators; and measuring the electrical resistance of the bond from the adapter plate to the airplane structure, and doing corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical current from flowing through an MOV actuator into a fuel tank, which could create a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank. This condition, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Spey 511-8 turbojet engines. This AD requires inspection and, if necessary, replacement of affected bolts and, if any bolt is found broken, inspection of the adjacent disc(s) for damage. This AD was prompted by a recent quality review determination that bolts with reduced material properties may have been installed in some engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained turbine disc fracture and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, L, and L1 helicopters to require a one-time inspection of the main rotor head (MRH) swash-plate upper bearing (bearing) for a non-smooth point (friction point). This AD was prompted by a report of the premature deterioration of the MRH bearing of the rotating star installed on a Model AS332L1 helicopter. The actions of this AD are intended to detect deterioration of the MRH bearing and to prevent overloading the scissor links which drive the main rotor system, failure of the scissors links, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2A12 (CL-601) and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of jamming/malfunctioning of the left-hand engine thrust control mechanism. This AD requires modifying the left-hand engine upper core-cowl. We are issuing this AD to prevent jamming/ malfunctioning of the left-hand engine thrust control mechanism, which could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

This SNPRM would further modify Class E airspace at Eureka Airport, Eureka, NV. In a NPRM published in the Federal Register on December 21, 2012, the FAA proposed to create additional airspace at Eureka Airport to accommodate aircraft using Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures. The FAA has found that further enlargement of Class E airspace 1,200 feet above the surface is necessary to enhance safety in the Eureka, NV area.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at the Ankeny Regional Airport, Ankeny, Iowa, under the provisions of U.S.C.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twentieth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 224, Airport Security Access Control Systems.

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

In preparation for the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel's (DGP's) Spring Working Group to be held April 15-19, 2013, in Montreal, Canada, the FAA's Office of Hazardous Materials Safety and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) Office of Hazardous Materials Safety announce a public meeting.

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.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Mobile Airport Authority to waive the requirement that a 72.13 acre parcel of surplus property, located on Mobile Downtown Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Morrisville, VT, as the Morrisville-Stowe Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Morrisville-Stowe State Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) EC 135 P1, P2, P2+, T1, T2, and T2+ helicopters equipped with a certain main transmission housing upper part. This proposed AD would require installing a corrugated washer in the middle of the main transmission filter housing upper part and modifying the main transmission housing upper part. This proposed AD is prompted by an inspection of housing upper parts that revealed the bypass inlet in the oil filter area was not manufactured in accordance with applicable design specifications. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the main transmission and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is correcting a final rule published on August 22, 2011 (76 FR 52241). In that rule, the FAA amended its regulations to create new operating rules for flight in icing conditions. This document corrects an error in the amendatory language of the final rule which inadvertently led to the omission of the new section from the Code of Federal Regulations.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the fourth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 227, Standards of Navigation Performance.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that airplanes with a Class C cargo (baggage) compartment have liners that do not meet flammability requirements. This AD requires replacing the existing cargo compartment liners with liners that comply. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadequate fire protection in the cargo compartment and consequent uncontrolled fire.

These final special conditions are issued for the General Electric Aviation (GE) CT7-2E1 engine model. This engine model will have a novel or unusual design feature, which is a combination of two existing ratings into a new rating called ``flat 30-second and 2-minute OEI'' rating. This rating is intended for the continuation of flight of a multi-engine rotorcraft after one engine becomes inoperative. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These final special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require an inspection to determine if certain rudder feel trim units (RFTUs) are installed, an operational check for signs of seizure of affected parts, repetitive lubrication for certain RFTUs, and replacement of the RFTU if necessary. Installing replaced RFTUs with conformal bushings would terminate the repetitive lubrication requirements. That NPRM was prompted by reports of movement of the rudder pedals being impeded due to corrosion of the trunnion shaft of the RFTU. This action revises that NPRM by reducing compliance times, increasing compliance costs, expanding affected parts to include additional serial numbers and include those parts with a suffix `A,' and adding the condition of rough movement to the operational check. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct any sign of rough movement or seizure of the trunnion shaft and its bushing, which could cause a rudder control jam or a large and rapid alternating rudder input leading to a structural failure of the vertical fin. 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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation-manufactured Model S-64F helicopters, now under the Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (Erickson) Model S-64F type certificate. This AD supersedes an existing AD which requires inspections, rework, and replacement, if necessary, of the main gearbox (MGB) second stage lower planetary plate (plate). Since we issued that AD, the manufacturer has conducted a configuration review and analysis, and a review of the service history of certain components. The actions of this AD are intended to establish life limits for certain components, remove various parts from service, and require consistency in the part numbers of certain four bladed tail rotor (T/R) assemblies to prevent fatigue cracking, failure from static overload, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.