Federal Aviation Administration March 28, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 170 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of ``BLEED 1(2) LEAK'' messages displayed on the Engine Indication and Crew Alert System (EICAS), and indirect damage to components of the Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) in the engine pylon area. This proposed AD would require inspecting the EWIS components for damage, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also require installing pre-cooler deflectors on the left- and right-hand pylons, and applying silicone sealant. We are proposing this AD to prevent indirect damage to EWIS components near the engine bleed air pre-coolers, which could result in a dual engine roll back to idle and consequent dual engine power loss and reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that, on a different Boeing airplane model, there was an oxygen-fed fire, which caused extensive damage to the flight deck. This proposed AD would require replacing the low- pressure oxygen hoses with non-conductive hoses in the crew oxygen system. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent 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, leading to an oxygen-fed fire and/or smoke beneath the flight compartment in the forward electronics equipment bay.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 727 airplanes. This AD will complete certain mandated programs intended to support the airplane reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering data that support the established structural maintenance program. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of small repairs done on the vertical flange of the rib chord, repetitive inspections for cracking along the upper fillet radius of the rib chord, and a large repair or preventive modification if necessary. Accomplishment of a large repair or preventive modification terminates the actions of this AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the rib upper chord, which could result in the inability of the wing structure to support the limit load condition, and consequent loss of structural integrity of the wing.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive functional checks of the nose and main landing gear, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides optional terminating action for the repetitive functional checks. This AD was prompted by a report that the emergency downlock indication system (EDIS) had given a false landing gear down-and-locked indication. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct a false down-and-locked landing gear indication, which, on landing, could result in possible collapse of the landing gear.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This proposed AD would require replacing a fitting that is part of the refuel control solenoid valve assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 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 stress corrosion cracking of the main landing gear yoke pintle housing on a Jetstream series 3100 airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-08-25 that applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. AD 2008-08-25 required installing drains and drain tubes to eliminate water accumulation in the drip shield above the M826 cardfile in the main equipment center. This new AD requires installing modified drain tubes, relocating wire bundle routing, installing a new drip shield and drip shield deflectors, and replacing insulation blankets. For certain airplanes, this new AD also concurrently requires sealing the drain slot, installing spuds, and installing drain tubes. This AD was prompted by reports of continued water damage to diode fire card 285U0072-1 in the M826 automatic fire overheat logic test system cardfile following a false FWD CARGO FIRE message, with no change in frequency, which resulted in an air turn back. We are issuing this AD to prevent water from exiting over the edge of the existing drip shield and contaminating electrical components in the M826 cardfile, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-08-04 for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2008-08-04 required repetitive inspections for cracking in the forward lug of the support rib 5 fitting of the left and right main landing gear (MLG), and repair or replacement of any cracked MLG fitting if necessary. AD 2008-08-04 also required modification of the rib bushings of the left and right MLG, which ended the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires, for airplanes on which certain modifications or repairs have been done, repetitive inspections for cracks of the forward lug of each left-hand and right-hand MLG support rib 5 fitting, and repair if necessary; and adds Model A318 series airplanes to the applicability. Replacement of an MLG support rib 5 fitting terminates the repetitive inspection requirements for the MLG support rib 5 fitting at that position. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks found in the forward lug of the MLG support rib 5 fitting. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking in the forward lug of the MLG, which could result in failure of the lug and consequent collapse of the MLG during takeoff or landing.