Federal Aviation Administration August 26, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 reports of chafing of the fuel lines due to contact with the surrounding structures in the fuel tank. This proposed AD would require replacing and modifying fuel lines, revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCL) and airworthiness limitation (AWL) items, and, for certain airplanes removing certain clamps and mounting hardware. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing of the fuel lines in the fuel tank, which could result in potential ignition sources in the fuel tank in the event of a lightning strike and consequent fire or explosion.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, and A321 series airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found during the manufacturing process for some oxygen pipe assemblies that are used to supply oxygen to the flight crew. This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine the batch number or installation date of the oxygen pipe assembly that is installed at the end of the right-hand crew distribution line, and, if necessary, replacement of the pipe. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, which could lead to blocked or reduced oxygen supply to a flight crew member during a decompression event or a smoke/fire event in the cockpit. Under certain conditions, corrosion particles could increase the risk of fire in the cockpit.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-13- 09 for all Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2011-13- 09 currently requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate new limitations and maintenance tasks for certain certification management requirements (CMRs). Since we issued AD 2011-13-09, we have determined that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to prevent safety-significant latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-09- 11, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2011-09-11 currently requires repetitive inspections for hydraulic fluid contamination of the interior of the strut disconnect assembly; repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the interior of the strut disconnect assembly, if necessary; repetitive inspections of the exterior of the strut disconnect assembly for cracks, if necessary; corrective action if necessary; and an optional terminating action for the inspections. Since we issued AD 2011-09-11, we have received reports of side and top cover plates installed with missing fastener bolts, which results in an unsealed opening on the system disconnect assembly. This proposed AD would add, for certain airplanes, an inspection of the side and top cover plates to determine if all cover plate attach fasteners have been installed, and installing any missing fasteners including doing an inspection for damage, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct hydraulic fluid contamination, which can cause cracking of titanium parts in the system disconnect assembly; and also to detect and correct missing fasteners, which results in unsealed openings on the system disconnect assembly. Both unsafe conditions can compromise the engine firewall and result in fire hazards for both the engine compartment and the strut.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-22-10, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, and -300 series airplanes. AD 98-22-10 currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the aft frame and frame support structure of the forward service doorway, and repair if necessary. AD 98-22-10 also provides for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of that AD. Since we issued AD 98-22-10, we have determined that additional inspections are needed, and that additional airplanes may be subject to the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would add inspections and add airplanes to the applicability. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD provides a preventive modification, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the aft frame and frame support structure of the forward service doorway around the six doorstop fittings, which could result in door deflection and loss of pressurization.