Federal Aviation Administration January 2, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747 airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for cracking in the bulkhead splice fitting, frame supports, forward and aft inner chords, and floor support; an inspection for cracking in the bulkhead upper web, doubler, and bulkhead lower web; and corrective actions if necessary; for certain airplanes, inspections for cracking in the repaired area of the bulkhead, and corrective actions if necessary; for certain airplanes, support frame modification and support frame inspections, and related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary; for certain airplanes, repetitive support frame post-modification inspections and inspections for cracking in the hinge support, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; for certain airplanes, a one-time inspection of the frame web and upper shear deck (floor support) chord aft side for fasteners; and a one-time inspection of the upper forward inner chord, frame support fitting and splice fitting, for the installation of certain fasteners; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; for certain airplanes, a one-time inspection of the upper forward inner chord, frame support fitting and splice fitting for the installation of certain fasteners; a one-time inspection for any repair installed on the left and right side of the aft inner chord, and related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary; for certain airplanes, a one-time inspection of the support frame outer chords for cracking, and repair if necessary; and repetitive support frame post- repair inspections, and corrective actions, if necessary. The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracking in the forward and aft inner chord of the body station (BS) 2598 bulkhead near the upper corners of the cutout for the horizontal stabilizer rear spar, and cracking in the bulkhead upper and lower web panels near the inner chord to shear deck connection. This action revises the NPRM by adding an optional terminating action for certain inspections and expanding the inspection area for certain surface and open-hole HFEC inspections. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the BS 2598 bulkhead structure, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the bulkhead and the horizontal stabilizer support structure and result in loss of controllability 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 propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the finding of an uncertified main landing gear (MLG) inboard retraction actuator bracket pin installed on an in-service airplane, which could result in pin failure. This proposed AD would require inspection of the MLG inboard retraction actuator bracket for a part number, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct uncertified pins in the MLG inboard retraction actuator bracket, which could result in pin failure, leading to an MLG extension without damping, and a potential for MLG structural damage and possible collapse during landing.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing parts of the sliding door star support attachment assembly, depending on the outcome of required inspections. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that passengers in a Eurocopter helicopter were forced to exit through the pilot door after landing because they could not open the sliding door from the inside. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the sliding door star support attachment, which could inhibit operation of a sliding door from inside, delaying the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.