Federal Aviation Administration 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters with certain tail rotor (T/ R) blades. This proposed AD would require installing additional rivets to secure each T/R blade trailing edge tab (tab), and inspecting for evidence of debonding of the tab after the rivets are installed. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of T/R blade tab debonding. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of a T/R blade tab, which could result in excessive vibration and loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters to require inspecting for the presence of blind holes in the tail gearbox (TGB) attachment fittings, and, if they are missing, installing an additional washer under the head of the attachment bolt until the attachment fitting is replaced with an airworthy attachment fitting. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of interference between the TGB aft attachment bolt and the structure fitting, caused by a manufacturing anomaly that omitted the blind hole required for proper fit of the attachment bolt. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in insufficient tightening of the TGB casing, damage to the TGB attachment, cracking under the attachment bolt, and loss of the TGB, resulting in loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a broken forward support fitting at the inboard track of the inboard flap. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the forward support fitting assemblies of the inboard track of the left and right inboard flaps for cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the forward support fitting assembly, which could result in loss of inboard flap control and subsequent loss of airplane control.

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 ensures that U.S. operators have proper noise certification information when they fly outside the U.S., in compliance with ICAO, Annex 16, Volume 1, Amendment 8.

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. Fractional Ownership is a program that offers increased flexibility in aircraft ownership. Owners purchase shares of an aircraft and agree to share their aircraft with others having an ownership share in that same aircraft. Owners agree to put their aircraft into a ``pool'' of other shared aircraft and to lease their aircraft to another owner in that pool. The aircraft owners use a common management company to maintain the aircraft and administer the leasing of the aircraft among the owners.

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. Wildlife strike data are collected to develop standards and monitor hazards to aviation.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations parts 1500 to 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA, Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the SpaceX Texas Launch Site (Draft EIS). This Draft EIS is also submitted for review pursuant to the following public law requirements: Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. Section 303); Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470); Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management; DOT Order 5650.2, Floodplain Management and Protection; Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands; and DOT Order 5660.1A, Preservation of the Nation's Wetlands. An electronic version of the Draft EIS is available on the FAA/AST Web site: https://www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/ ast/environmental/nepadocs/review/documentsprogress/spacextex as launchsiteenvironmentalimpactstatement/. In addition, copies of the Draft EIS were sent to persons and agencies on the distribution list (found in Chapter 11 of the Draft EIS). A paper copy and an electronic version of the Draft EIS may be reviewed during regular business hours at the following Brownsville locations: Brownsville Public Library Main Branch, 2600 Central Blvd. Southmost Branch Library, 4320 Southmost Blvd. University of Texas at Brownsville, Oliveira Library, 80 Fort Brown St. The FAA will hold a public hearing to solicit comments from the public concerning the scope and content of the Draft EIS. May 7, 2013, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the International Technology, Education, and Commerce (ITEC) Center, located at 301 Mexico Boulevard, Suite G-1, Brownsville, TX 78520. The public hearing will include a poster information session from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., FAA presentation from 6:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., followed by a public statement period in which members of the public may provide up to a 3-minute statement. The FAA will transcribe all oral comments. All comments received during the comment period will be given equal weight and be taken into consideration in the preparation of the Final EIS.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600 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 at certain locations at chem-mill 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.

We are adopting an airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters and superseding an AD for Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the chip detector and modifying the chip collector, both installed on the main gearbox (MGB). This AD is prompted by an investigation which showed a failure within the epicyclic reduction gear module (epicyclic module) resulted in the rupture of the MGB case and separation of the main rotor head of a Model AS332L2 helicopter. These actions are intended to prevent failure of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Grob- Werke Model G115EG 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 cracks in the elevator trim tab arms on several Grob G 115 airplanes, which could result in failure of the part and consequent 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 Bell Model 430 helicopters, which requires replacing certain components of the air data system. This AD was prompted by the discovery of incorrect indicated airspeed when the helicopter was tested to the cold temperature limits (-40 degrees centigrade) required for Category A operations. The actions of this AD are intended to correct the published Vne and to correct the indicated airspeed.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of airspeed mismatch between the pilot and co-pilot's airspeed indicators, which occurred during or after heavy rain. This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, inspecting for drain bottles having certain part numbers, and replacing affected drain bottles. This proposed AD would require, for certain other airplanes, replacing drain bottles. We are proposing this AD to prevent pitot static tubing from becoming blocked by water, which if not corrected, could lead to erroneous airspeed and altitude indications, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the lease of land for non-aeronautical purpose at the Bradford Regional Airport, Lewis Run, Pennsylvania under the provision 49 U.P.C. 47125(a).

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking in and around the upper and lower hinge cutouts of the forward entry and forward galley service doorways, and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we have received multiple reports of cracks in the skin and/or bear strap at the forward galley service doorway hinge cutouts, and multiple reports of cracking under the repairs installed at the hinge cutouts. This proposed AD would reduce the inspection threshold for cracking in and around the galley service doorway hinge cutouts, add inspections of certain repaired structure at the forward entry and galley service doorway upper and lower hinge cutouts, expand the inspection area at the forward entry and galley service doorway upper and lower hinge cutouts, and remove certain airplanes from the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of airport property located at Oceana County Airport, Shelby, Michigan. The proposal consists of 1.82 acres of airport property for which the current use and present condition is the Oceana County Animal Shelter.

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

This action amends Class E airspace at Omak Airport, Omak, WA. Decommissioning of the Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) has made this action necessary. This action also makes a minor change to the legal description in reference to the Class E airspace extending upward from 4,500 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL). This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace at Reno/Tahoe International Airport, Reno, NV. Decommissioning of the Compass Locator at the Instrument Landing System Middle Marker (LMM) and the Middle Marker (MM) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also adjusts the geographic coordinates of the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model EC135 P1, EC135 P2, EC135 P2+, EC135 T1, EC135 T2, EC135 T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with a certain external mounted hoist system (hoist) with boom support assembly (boom) installed. This proposed AD would require inspecting the boom for a crack and, if a crack exists, replacing the boom with an airworthy boom. This proposed AD is prompted by cracks found on the boom during a pre-flight check of a hoist on an MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to detect a crack and prevent failure of the boom, loss of the boom and attached loads, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

This action modifies low-altitude RNAV route T-266 in the state of Alaska by removing two non-directional beacons (NDB) as the navigation signal source for segments of the route and replacing them with RNAV waypoints. This action enhances the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS).

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. That AD currently requires installing spacer assemblies at the attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system (CLS) in the forward and aft cargo compartments, as applicable. This new AD also requires modifying the attachment points of fixed YZ-latches of the CLS lower deck cargo holds on those airplanes on which one or both lower deck cargo holds have not been modified, which terminates the existing requirements. This AD was prompted by results from tests that have shown that the attachment points of the YZ-latches of the cargo loading system (CLS) fail under maximum loads and reports that installation has been applied only on one of the lower deck cargo holds, instead of on both forward and aft cargo holds, and that some airplanes could have installed the affected YZ-latches through the instructions of the cargo conversion manual. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the attachment points of the YZ-latches, which could result in unrestrained cargo causing damage to the fire protection system, hydraulic system, electrical wiring, or other equipment located in the forward and aft cargo compartments. This damage could adversely affect the continued safe flight of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE), V2525-D5 and V2528-D5 turbofan engines, with a certain No. 4 bearing internal scavenge tube and a certain No. 4 bearing external scavenge tube installed. This AD was prompted by a report of an engine under-cowl fire and commanded in- flight shutdown. This AD would require replacement of certain part number (P/N) No. 4 bearing internal scavenge tubes, and alignment checks of certain P/N No. 4 bearing external scavenge tubes. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine fire and damage to the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. That AD currently requires inspecting for scribe lines in the skin along lap joints, butt joints, certain external doublers, and the large cargo door hinges, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds an inspection for scribe lines where external decals have been applied or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, and external doublers, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a determination that scribe lines could occur where external decals are installed or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, or external doublers. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin. Undetected fatigue cracks can grow and cause sudden decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700, -700C, -800, and -900ER series airplanes, Model 747-400F series airplanes, and Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that certain crew oxygen mask stowage box units were possibly delivered with a burr in the inlet fitting. The burr might break loose during test or operation, and might pose an ignition source or cause an inlet valve to jam. This final rule adds a step to identify and label certain crew oxygen mask stowage box units that have already been inspected and reworked by the supplier, and allows operators to install new or serviceable crew oxygen mask stowage box units, and requires a general visual inspection for affected serial numbers of the crew oxygen mask stowage box units, and replacement or re-identification as necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source, which could result in an oxygen-fed fire; or an inlet valve jam in a crew oxygen mask stowage box unit, which could result in restricted flow of oxygen.