Federal Aviation Administration 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta Model A109A, A109A II, A109C, A109E, A109K2, A109S, AW109SP, A119, and AW119 MKII helicopters. The emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD requires, before further flight, inspecting certain Thomas coupling nuts on the tail rotor drive shaft line for a crack and replacing all the nuts if any nut is cracked. Also this AD requires replacing all affected Thomas coupling nuts within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 30 days, whichever occurs first. This AD was prompted by two incidents of cracking on the nuts that connect the flexible disc coupling (Thomas coupling) with the splined adapter on the tail rotor drive shaft. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these helicopters.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. This AD requires a detailed inspection of the power control actuator (PCA) installation to determine if a bushing is installed, a general visual inspection between the horizontal stabilizer rear spar and the elevator front spar and between certain stabilizer stations for defects and damage, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a report of unusual noise coming from the left inboard elevator during a functional check of the ram air turbine system, and a determination that a bushing was not installed. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct non-installation of bushings. If the bushings are not present, the stiffness of the load path will be decreased, which will cause wear of adjacent parts and increased freeplay of the elevator surfaces. Freeplay that exceeds acceptable limits could result in divergent flutter for certain maneuvers, which could lead to loss of controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the aft support fitting, the rear spar upper chord, and the rear spar web. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the aft support fitting for the main landing gear (MLG) beam, and the rear spar upper chord and rear spar web in the area of rear spar station (RSS) 224.14; and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracks, which could grow and result in a fuel leak and possible fire.

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 for 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 June 27, 2013, vol. 78, no. 124, page 38795. The collection involves requirements for operators and repair stations to report any malfunctions and defects to the Administrator.

This action amends Class E airspace at St. George Municipal Airport, St. George, UT, by removing the operating hours established by a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) due to the airport changing from a part time to a full time facility. This improves the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes equipped with General Electric Model CF6- 80C2 engines. The NPRM proposed to require modifying a relay installation and associated wiring of the engine cowl anti-ice system and performing a functional test of the thrust reverser system. The NPRM also proposed to require replacing the operational program software of certain indicating/recording systems. Since we issued the NPRM, we have received new data that indicate the unsafe condition would not be adequately addressed by the proposed action. The manufacturer has issued new service information to address the unsafe condition. Consequently, we issued new rulemaking action that positively addresses the unsafe condition identified in the NPRM, and eliminates the need for the actions proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fire that originated near the first officer's seat and caused extensive damage to the flight deck. This proposed AD would require replacing the low-pressure oxygen hoses with non-conductive low-pressure oxygen hoses in the stowage box and supernumerary ceiling area. We are proposing this AD to prevent electrical current from passing through an internal, anti-collapse spring of the low-pressure oxygen hose, which can cause the low- pressure oxygen hose to melt or burn and lead to an oxygen-fed fire on the flight deck.

This notice establishes interim FAA policy for proposals by sponsors of federally obligated airports to construct solar energy systems on airport property. FAA is adopting an interim policy because it is in the public interest to enhance safety by clarifying and adding standards for measuring ocular impact of proposed solar energy systems which are effective upon publication. FAA will consider comments and make appropriate modifications before issuing a final policy. The policy applies to any proposed on-airport solar energy system that has not received from the FAA either an unconditional airport layout plan approval or a ``no objection'' finding on a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration Form 7460-1.

The FAA is making technical changes to a final rule published in the Federal Register on December 31, 2012. That final rule amended the emission standards for certain turbine engine powered airplanes to incorporate the standards promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on June 18, 2012. The final rule contained six minor technical errors: One in the authority citation, and five in tables listing the emissions standards for engines manufactured on and after July 18, 2012. In addition, we are correcting an error in a definition that existed before the final rule and was overlooked. The FAA is issuing this technical amendment to correct these errors.

This action proposes special conditions for the Learjet Model 35, 35A, 36, and 36A airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Peregrine, 13000 E. Control Tower Road, Unit K-4, Englewood, CO, 80112, will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and battery systems. These batteries have certain failure, operational, and maintenance characteristics that differ significantly from those of the nickel-cadmium and lead-acid rechargeable batteries currently approved for installation on large transport-category airplanes. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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 propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new center of gravity (CG) limits applicable during takeoff with a Slat/ Flap SF2 setting are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures to advise the flightcrew of the new CG limits. We are proposing this AD to prevent an erratic takeoff path and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Seventy-Sixth meeting of RTCA Special Committee 147, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems Airborne Equipment.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10 and MD-10-10F airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the safe life limit on certain main landing gear (MLG) upper torque link bolts is reduced significantly due to those bolts being fabricated from bar stock with a machined head instead of from a forged blank with an upset head. This AD requires replacing certain MLG upper torque link bolts with new or serviceable parts. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the MLG and consequent damage to airplane structure, which could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe flight and landing.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes. This AD requires replacing the panel assembly of the main distribution center (MDC) rack. This AD was prompted by findings of chafed power wires due to flexing of the MDC rack panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to power wires, which could cause simultaneous loss of systems such as electrical power, pilot indications, and caution/advisory lighting systems, which are essential for safe flight.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4-B-37 series turbofan engines. This AD requires removal of affected parts using a drawdown plan. This AD was prompted by recalculating the lives of certain rotating life limited parts (LLPs) operated to certain flight profiles. We are issuing this AD to prevent the failure of rotating LLPs, which could result in uncontained failure of the engine and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking found in the skin at the lower aft corner of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway on airplanes that do not have an airstair door cutout, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the lower corners of the forward entry doorway, which could lead to crack progression and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, -300 and -200 Freighter series airplanes, and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require, for certain airplanes, revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flight crew of emergency procedures for addressing Angle of Attack (AOA) sensor blockage. The NPRM also proposed to mandate replacing the AOA sensor conic plates with AOA sensor flat plates, which is a terminating action for the AFM revision. The NPRM was prompted by a report that an airplane equipped with AOA sensors installed with conic plates recently experienced blockage of all sensors during climb, leading to autopilot disconnection and activation of the alpha protection (Alpha Prot) when Mach number was increased. For certain airplanes, this action revises the NPRM by adding a modification of the installation of certain AOA sensor flat plates. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced control of the airplane. 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 superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2004-18-06 for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2004-18-06 required repetitive inspections to find fatigue cracking of certain upper and lower skin panels of the fuselage, and follow-on and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2004- 18-06 also included a terminating action for the repetitive inspections of certain modified or repaired areas only. This new AD adds new inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin along certain chem-milled lines, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also reduces certain thresholds and intervals required by AD 2004-18-06. This AD was prompted by new findings of vertical cracks along chem-milled steps adjacent to the butt joints. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the skin panels, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the skin panels of the fuselage, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, - 200F, -300, -400, -400D, -400F, and 747SR series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking at the aft upper corner of the main entry door (MED) 5 cutout. This AD requires inspecting for the presence of repairs and measuring the edge margin at certain fastener locations around the upper aft corner of the door cutout, inspecting for any cracking of the fuselage skin assembly and bear strap in the aft upper corner area of the door cutout, and repairing or modifying the fuselage skin assembly and bear strap if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the skin and bear straps at the aft upper corner of the MED 5 cutout, which could result in in-flight depressurization.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the 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 announces the rescheduling of a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) Transport Airplane and Engine (TAE) Subcommittee to discuss TAE issues. A number of issues have arisen that may affect the Committee's ability to have an effective meeting on October 2, 2013, including uncertainty regarding Federal Government shutdown and travel.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) AD 2012-04-13, for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) model RB211 Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556- 61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, and 560A2-61; and RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60; and RB211-Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17; and RB211-524G2-T-19, -524G3-T- 19, -524H-T-36, and -524H2-T-19 turbofan engines that have a high- pressure (HP) compressor stage 1 to 4 rotor disc installed, with a certain part number (P/N) installed. AD 2012-04-13 required repetitive inspections of the axial dovetail slots and follow-on corrective action depending on findings. This new AD expands the population of affected parts. This AD also changes, for the purposes of this AD, the definition of ``engine shop visit.'' This AD was prompted by reports of additional affected HP compressor rotor discs that require the same action. We are issuing this AD to detect cracks in the HP compressor stage 1 and 2 disc posts, which could result in failure of the disc post and HP compressor blades, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters with certain EADS Sogerma pilot and co-pilot seats installed. This AD requires inspecting the rear beam of each seat to determine if all of the weld beads are present and replacing the seat if any weld bead is missing. This AD is prompted by a maintenance inspection that discovered a missing weld bead on the rear beam of a pilot seat. These actions are intended to prevent failure of the pilot and co-pilot seats and subsequent injury to the pilot or co-pilot.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-26-51 for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2012- 26-51 required revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flightcrew of emergency procedures for addressing angle of attack (AoA) sensor blockage, and also provided for optional terminating action for the AFM revision, which involves replacing AoA sensor conic plates with AoA sensor flat plates. This new AD requires replacing AoA sensor conic plates with AoA sensor flat plates, and subsequent removal of the AFM revision. This AD was prompted by a determination that replacement of AoA sensor conic plates is necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced control of the airplane.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Georgetown, TX. Decommissioning of the Georgetown radio beacon (RBN) at Georgetown Municipal Airport has made reconfiguration necessary for standard instrument approach procedures and for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.