Federal Aviation Administration July 12, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the Bell Model 407 helicopters. The existing AD currently requires preflight checking and repetitively inspecting for a crack in certain tailbooms that have been redesigned, replacing the tailboom if there is a crack, modifying and re-identifying certain tailbooms, installing an improved horizontal stabilizer assembly, and assigning a 5,000 hour time-in-service (TIS) limit. Since we issued that AD, we have received several additional reports of cracked tailboom skins. This proposed AD would retain the existing requirements and apply additional inspection requirements. The proposed actions are intended to prevent separation of the tailboom and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain AgustaWestland S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) pin installations for incorrect assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of incorrectly installed pins discovered on in- service aircraft. The proposed actions are intended to detect incorrectly installed pins, which could result in collapse of the NLG during taxi or landing.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Mandan, ND. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Mandan Municipal Airport (AAF). The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport. Geographic coordinates would also be updated.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Presidio, TX. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Presidio Lely International Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2002-23- 19, which applies to all Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive operational tests, repetitive measurements, and repetitive replacement of certain jackscrews. Since we issued that AD, the manufacturer revised the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to incorporate new or revised maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane.