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

This action changes the effective date of a final rule, published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2013, establishing controlled airspace at Upper Captiva Island Heliport, Captiva, FL, to allow additional time for en route charting.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-366G1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, which requires modifying the fuel tank draining system. This AD is prompted by a closed fuel tank drain that, in the event of a fuel leak, could result in fuel accumulating in an area containing electrical equipment. The actions are intended to prevent accumulation of fuel in an area with electrical equipment or another ignition source, which may lead to a fire.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracks in stringer splices at body station STA 360 and STA 908, between stringer (S) S-10L and S-10R; cracks in butt straps between S-5L and S- 3L, and S-3R and S-5R; vertical chem-mill fuselage skin cracks at certain butt joints; and an instance of cracking that occurred in all those three structural elements on one airplane. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for any cracking of stringer splices and butt straps, and related corrective and investigative actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the three structural elements, which could result in the airplane not being able to sustain limit load requirements and possibly result in uncontrolled decompression.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. Title 49, United States Code, Sections 40117 (k) and 47106 (f) require that a covered airport submit a written competition plan to the Secretary/Administrator in order to receive approval to impose a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) or to receive a grant under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

This action amends Class E Airspace at Selmer, TN, as the Sibley Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new standard instrument approach procedures developed for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Robert Sibley Airport. This enhances the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747SP series airplanes, and certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100B SUD and 747-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder indicating that the fuselage skin just above certain lap splice locations is subject to widespread fatigue damage. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin above certain lap splice locations, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane and sudden loss of cabin pressure.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all B-N Group Ltd. Models BN-2, BN-2A, BN2A MK. III, BN2A MK. III-2, BN2A MK. III-3, BN-2A-2, BN-2A-20, BN-2A-21, BN-2A-26, BN-2A-27, BN-2A-3, BN-2A- 6, BN-2A-8, BN-2A-9, BN-2B-20, BN-2B-21, BN-2B-26, BN-2B-27, BN-2T, and BN-2T-4R airplanes. 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 inadequate sealing of the fuel filler cap (fuel tank cap) and the fuel filler receptacle (fuel tank opening), which could lead to contaminated fuel and result in in-flight shutdown of the engine. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. This collection involves response to the Wendall H. Ford Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century which requires that all persons who remove any life-limited aircraft part have a method to prevent the installation of that part after it has reached its life limit.

This action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register of May 14, 2013, that amends Class D airspace at El Monte Airport, El Monte, CA. In that rule, the legal description references the airport bearing incorrectly.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B turbofan engines. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these engines. This AD prohibits operation of an airplane with affected transfer gearbox assemblies (TGBs) installed on both engines five days after the effective date of this AD. This AD was prompted by reports of two failures of TGBs which resulted in in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). We are issuing this AD to prevent additional IFSDs of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twelfth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 225, Rechargeable Lithium Battery and Battery SystemsSmall and Medium Size.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to fund, construct, operate, and maintain a replacement aerial tramway (ATRAM) system on South Franklin Mountain, El Paso, Texas. The purpose of the proposed project is the replacement of the existing ATRAM with a modern ATRAM system. The FAA needs to continue the safe and reliable transport of FAA maintenance personnel to service communication facilities located at the top of South Franklin Mountain. The FAA's preferred alternative is to construct, operate, and maintain a replacement ATRAM at a location adjacent to the existing ATRAM system at South Franklin Mountain, El Paso, Texas. The FAA has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) in conformance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures. The DEA analyzes the potential environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of the proposed replacement ATRAM system at the proposed site, as well as the no action alternative (i.e., not constructing and operating the replacement ATRAM).

The FAA is considering a proposal to change a 0.747-acre portion of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of airport property located at Morris Municipal Airport, Morris, Illinois. The subject portion of airport property considered for release from obligation to be maintained for aeronautical use and sale includes a 0.346-acre portion of Parcel G (110.55 total acres) and 0.401-acre portion of Parcel C2 (73.27 total acres) that are located in the west quadrant of the airport along Illinois Route 47 and currently not being used directly for aeronautical purposes. Currently, ownership of the property provides for protection of FAR Part 77 surfaces and compatible land use which would continue to be protected with deed restrictions required in the transfer of land ownership. The change from aeronautical to non-aeronautical use would allow for the widening of Route 47 which is directly adjacent to the airport. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use.

These special conditions are issued for the Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model J182T airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the installation of an electronic engine control. 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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC- 6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/ B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes. 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 failure to inspect and maintain stabilizer-trim attachment components and the flap actuator could result in loss of control. 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 Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a certain wire harness located in the tail cone has wiring of a narrower gauge than design requires. This proposed AD would require replacing the affected wire harness. We are proposing this AD to prevent damage to the affected wiring, which could create an ignition source in an area that might contain fuel vapors, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled fire and subsequent loss of the airplane.

The Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) will not solicit or award grants under the STIM program this fiscal year.

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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) (previously COLUMBIA or LANCAIR) Models LC40-550FG, LC41-550FG, and LC42-550FG airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that during maximum braking, if the brakes lock up and a skid occurs, a severe oscillatory yawing motion or ``wheel walk'' may develop, which could result in further significant structural damage to the airplane. This AD requires insertions into the pilot's operating handbook (POH) and the airplane maintenance manuals (AMM) regarding proper use of the brakes and inspection of the aft fuselage. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 206L, L-1, L-3, and L-4 helicopters. This proposed AD would require measuring each main rotor (M/R) blade spar space to determine whether it is oversized and reidentifying the blade and reducing the life limit of the blade if the spar spacer is oversized. This proposed AD is prompted by the manufacture of certain main rotor blades with an oversized spar spacer and the determination to reduce the life limits of those main rotor blades. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of a M/R blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD would require visually inspecting each jettisonable emergency exit window panel (window) for sealant, and removing any sealant that exists in the window's extruded sections. This proposed AD is prompted by jettison tests during routine maintenance inspections that showed the windows failed to jettison. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the windows to jettison, so helicopter occupants can exit the aircraft during an emergency.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for ECD Model BO105C (C-2 and CB-2 Variants) and BO105S (CS-2 and CBS-2 Variants) helicopters with a certain third stage turbine wheel installed. This proposed AD would require installing a placard on the instrument panel and revising the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This proposed AD is prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations. The proposed actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine speeds during steady-state operations, prevent failure of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 206L-4 and 407 helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing or reworking certain aft bearing caps. This proposed AD is prompted by the manufacture of certain freewheel aft bearing caps without a lubrication channel to allow oil flow into the aft bearing support assembly. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the freewheel unit and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action corrects a final rule published by the FAA in the Federal Register on May 21, 2013, that establishes five RNAV routes in support of the Washington, DC, Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in a Metroplex project. This correction changes the name of one waypoint (WP) in the legal descriptions of RNAV routes T-291 and T-295.

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.