Federal Aviation Administration 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. This AD requires visual and dye penetrant inspections for cracks in the rear roller support shaft (shaft) and rear fitting (fitting) of the sliding door, and replacing the shaft or fitting if there is a crack. This AD's actions are prompted by reports of cracks in the shaft and the fitting and are intended to prevent the loss of the sliding door, which could come into contact with the rotor system, leading to damage to the helicopter and loss of helicopter control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Diamond Aircraft Industries Model DA 40 NG airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as chafing between the charge air tubing and the engine firewall that may cause a hole in the charge air tubing, which could result in loss of charged air pressure with consequent loss of engine power and loss of control. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of leaking fuel from the wing leading edge area at the inboard end of the number 5 leading edge slat. This AD requires modifying the fluid drain path in the wing leading edge area, forward of the wing front spar, and doing all applicable related investigative and corrective actions; and installing new seal disks on the latches in the fuel shutoff valve access door. We are issuing this AD to prevent flammable fluids from accumulating in the wing leading edge, and draining inboard and onto the engine exhaust nozzle, which could result in a fire.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-800 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of early fatigue cracks at chem-mill areas on the crown skin panels. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin along chem-mill steps at certain crown skin and shear wrinkle areas, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the skin panel at the specified chem-mill step locations, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace in the Live Oak, FL area, as new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) have been developed at Suwannee County Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the continued safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs within the Live Oak, FL, airspace area. This action would also update the geographic coordinates of Suwannee Hospital Emergency Heliport.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Mahnomen, MN. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Mahnomen County Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Colt, AR. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Delta Regional Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Harlingen, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) due to the decommissioning of the Sebas locator outer marker/nondirectional radio beacon (LOM/NDB) at Valley International Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

By Federal Register notice (See 77 FR 27835-27836, May 11, 2012, 77 FR 48201-48202, August 13, 2012, and 78 FR 5242-5243, January 24, 2013) the National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invited interested persons to apply to fill one opening on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to fill a vacancy representing environmental concerns due to the incumbent member's completion of a three-year term appointment on October 9, 2012. By Federal Register notice (See 78 FR 5242-5243, January 24, 2013) NPS and FAA also invited interested persons to apply to fill one opening on the NPOAG ARC to fill a vacancy representing commercial air tour operator interests due to the incumbent member's completion of a three-year term on May 19, 2013. This notice informs the public of the persons selected to fill these two vacancies on the NPOAG ARC.

This action proposes to establish two new low-altitude RNAV routes, designated T-287 and T-299, in the Washington, DC area. The new routes would enhance the flow of air traffic to the west of the Washington-Dulles International Airport.

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. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on February 15, 2013, vol. 78, no. 32, pages 11264-11265. NFDC Web Portal forms are used to collect aeronautical information, detailing the physical description and operational status of all components of the National Airspace System (NAS). This submission includes the additional public burden for the Special Flight Area processing tool.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), announces that it will no longer prepare an Air Tour Management Plan (ATMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for commercial air tour operations over Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. The FAA and NPS have stopped work on preparation of the ATMP and EA based upon a provision included in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112-141) that exempted parks with 50 or fewer annual commercial air tour operations from the provisions of the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000 (NPATMA) (Pub. L. 106-181).

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 190, 195 (L-126A,B,C), 195A, and 195B airplanes that are equipped with certain inboard aileron hinge brackets. The AD docket number in the preamble section and the rule portion of the AD is incorrect. Also, the statement that no comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) were received is incorrect. This document corrects these errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all PILATUS Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 a need to incorporate new revisions into the Limitations section of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). The limitations were revised to include an emergency fuel control system adjustment test. 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 Model R22, R22 Alpha, R22 Beta, and R22 Mariner helicopters with certain fuel shut-off valves installed. This proposed AD would require replacing the fuel shut-off valve with a newer design fuel shut-off valve. This proposed AD is prompted by three accidents that occurred because the fuel shut-off valve was inadvertently moved to the ``off'' position. The proposed actions are intended to prevent inadvertent closing of the fuel valve, which could result in engine power loss and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to supersede an existing revised airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bell Model 204B and certain serial-numbered Model 205A-1 helicopters with a certain tail rotor pitch control chain (chain) installed. The existing AD requires visually inspecting the chain to detect a crack in the link segments and, for affected Model 205A-1 helicopters, replacing the tail rotor chain and cable control system with a push-pull control system. Since we issued that AD, we have determined the need to apply the requirements to a newly-produced, similarly-designed chain with a different part number. Also, for the Model 204B, data shows the need to reduce the inspection interval of the chain and revise its inspection procedures because the rapid growth of a crack can lead to premature chain failure and to install a tail rotor cable and chain damper kit (damper kit) to reduce the oscillatory loading. We have also determined that installing a push-pull control system should apply to Model 205A-1 helicopters with certain serial numbers, regardless of the chain part number installed. These proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the chain, loss of tail rotor blade pitch control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action modifies VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) Federal airway V-595 in Oregon due to the scheduled decommissioning of the Portland, OR, VOR/DME navigation aid, which currently serves as an end point for the route.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-900 and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of early fatigue cracks at chem-mill areas on the crown skin panels. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin along chem-mill steps at certain crown skin and shear wrinkle areas, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the skin panel at the specified chem-mill step locations, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

This action gives notice to the American public and aviation industry of the FAA's Aviation Safety Office's (AVS) furlough implementation. Under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended by the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, across-the-board budget cuts require the FAA to implement furloughs. AVS and its Services/Offices will implement the required 11 days of furlough beginning April 21, 2013 and continuing through September 30, 2013. AVS will continue to focus resources on those initiatives that would have the highest safety and economic value for the American public and aviation industry. The furlough days vary, with each office scheduling those days in accordance with mission requirements, workload considerations, and applicable collective bargaining agreements. For specific information, please see the FAA Web site at https://www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/ headquartersoffices/avs/operationssequestration.

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.

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 are superseding an existing emergency airworthiness directive (EAD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B3 helicopters with certain part-numbered laminated half-bearings (bearings) and tail rotor (T/R) blades installed. The existing EAD currently requires installing two placards and revising the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM). The EAD also requires certain checks and inspecting and replacing, if necessary, all four bearings. Finally, the EAD requires a one-time removal and inspection of the bearings, and replacing the bearings if necessary. Since we issued that EAD, we have determined that newly-designed helicopters with other part-numbered T/R blades may be affected by this unsafe condition and that the requirements should allow the bearing removal and inspection to be performed before the last flight of the day. This superseding AD removes the bearing and T/R blade part numbers (P/N) from the applicability paragraph and clarifies when the bearing removal and inspection is required. The actions are intended to prevent vibration due to a failed bearing, failure of the T/R, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. This AD requires daily post-flight checks of the engine tachometer's unit cycle-counting feature. This AD also requires ground-run functional checks within every 1,000 operating hours. This AD was prompted by detailed analysis and review of the accuracy of the engine's tachometer cycle-counting feature. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure and damage to the helicopter.

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 series airplanes. The proposed AD would have required installing a new circuit breaker, relays, and wiring to allow the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight compartment, and doing other specified actions. This proposed AD would also have required installing a new cabin system control panel (CSCP); installing a new cabin management system (CMS) configuration database; and installing new operational program software (OPS) for the CSCP, zone management unit (ZMU), passenger address controller, cabin interphone controller, cabin area control panel (CACP), speaker drive module, overhead electronics units, and seat electronics unit. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have received new data that indicates the unsafe condition would not be adequately addressed by the proposed action. Subsequently, we are considering issuing new rulemaking that positively addresses the unsafe condition identified in the NPRM and eliminates the need for the actions proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.