Federal Aviation Administration January 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the fourth meeting of the 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) Joint with EUROCAE WG-98 Committee.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the fourth meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 231, TAWS.

The FAA is considering a proposal to change approximately 40 acres of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. It is determined through study and master planning that the property will not be needed for aeronautical purposes for the foreseeable future as this portion of the parcel is not contiguous with the airport proper and is significantly geographically separated from the operational areas of the airport. A change to non-aeronautical use does not exclude aeronautical activities in this area in the future.

This notice announces the withdrawal of the guidance offered in AC 33-10 so it can be revised.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an untimely and intermittent indication of slat activity due to chafing of the electrical wiring under the glare shield and behind the flight deck front panel. This AD requires installing two protective plates between the electrical wiring under the glare shield and the engine fire pull handles. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the electrical wiring, which could result in a short circuit and generation of smoke in the cockpit, potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-06-06 for all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes. AD 2009-06-06 required revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations and maintenance tasks for aging systems maintenance. This new AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity and reduced control of these airplanes due to the failure of system components.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer) Model EMB-135ER, - 135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination of the need to revise the airplane airworthiness limitations related to the pylon yokes I and II, and the skin panel of the windshield pillar. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of various structural elements, which could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-604 Variant) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of loose, broken, or backed-out spur gear bolts on the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA). This AD requires a revision to the airplane flight manual, a revision to the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, and replacement of HSTAs having certain part numbers. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct loose spur gear bolts on the HSTA, which, if combined with the failure of the primary load path, could lead to failure of the HSTA and subsequent loss of the airplane.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This document announces the reopening of the comment period for the above-referenced NPRM, which proposed the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to The Boeing Company Model 747 airplanes equipped with a main deck side cargo door (MDSCD). The NPRM proposed to require revising the airplane flight manual to incorporate limitations for carrying certain payloads. This reopening of the comment period is necessary to ensure that all interested persons have ample opportunity to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding the proposed requirements of the NPRM.

The FAA is correcting the final rule, ``Harmonization of Airworthiness StandardsGust and Maneuver Load Requirements'' (79 FR 73462), published December 11, 2014. In the rule, the FAA amended certain airworthiness regulations for transport category airplanes to eliminate regulatory differences between the airworthiness standards of the FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It does not add new requirements beyond what manufacturers currently meet for EASA certification and does not affect current industry design practices. This final rule revises the pitch maneuver design loads criteria; revises the gust and turbulence design loads criteria; revises the application of gust loads to engine mounts, high lift devices, and other control surfaces; adds a ``round-the-clock'' discrete gust criterion and a multi-axis discrete gust criterion for airplanes equipped with wing-mounted engines; revises the engine torque loads criteria; adds an engine failure dynamic load condition; revises the ground gust design loads criteria; revises the criteria used to establish the rough air design speed; and requires the establishment of a rough air Mach number. This document corrects errors in the rule by ensuring that certain letters in the included equations have the right formatting and therefore the correct meaning.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes; Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC- 10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes; Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD- 81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; Model MD-88 airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of latent air data transducer degradation. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate special compliance items (SCIs). We are issuing this AD to prevent erroneous air data information, which could lead to a mid- air collision within reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam srl Model P2006T 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 cracking found in the engine exhaust pipe. 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 Viking Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failed locknuts on the horizontal stabilizer attach bracket. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2011-14-06 for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2011-14-06 required revising the maintenance program. This new AD requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate new, more restrictive limitations. This AD was prompted by the determination that more restrictive limitations are necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural elements, and possible failure of certain life limited parts, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fluid entry and accumulation in the aft equipment bay. This proposed AD would require modifying the aft equipment bay. We are proposing this AD to prevent excessive quantities of flammable fluid accumulation in the aft equipment bay. Flammable fluid entry and accumulation in the aft equipment bay, in excessive quantities, could exceed safe levels maintained by the drainage and ventilation system.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-7 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 possible cracking from stress corrosion on various parts of the airplane structure made of aluminum alloy AA2024-T351. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration is considering a proposal to release of two parcels of approximately 27.3 acres of airport property for non-aeronautical use at the Plymouth Municipal Airport, Plymouth, MA. The released parcels would serve as part of the mitigation for an Army Corps of Engineers conservation project. The airport acreage to be released is currently used as a buffer zone and is not needed for current and future airport development. In exchange, the Airport would receive 41.5 acres of land that would be used for conservation. In accordance with section 47107(h) of Title 49 of the United States Code, the FAA invites public comment on this proposal.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the seventh meeting of the RTCA Tactical Operations Committee.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracked support strut body ends at a certain frame location of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the strut ends of the THS support located at a certain frame in the tail cone, and replacement if necessary; and reinstallation or installation of reinforcing clamps on certain strut ends. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracked support strut body ends of the THS, which could lead to the loss of all four THS support struts and which would make the remaining structure unable to carry limit loads, resulting in the loss of the horizontal tail plane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, and A330-300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that, during a production flight test, the ram air turbine (RAT) did not pressurize the green hydraulic system. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require identification of the part number, serial number, and standard of the RAT pump, RAT module, RAT actuator, and RAT lower gearbox assembly; replacement of the balance weight screw, modification of the actuator coil spring, modification of the actuator, an inspection of the anti-stall valve for correct installation in the RAT pump housing; and corrective actions if necessary. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would require re-identification or replacement of the RAT module. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of the impeller function and RAT pump pressurization capability, which, if preceded by a total engine flame-out, could result in the loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that cracks can occur in a frame of the tail section on certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of the oblique frame 67-2 for any cracking, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could lead to failure of the oblique frame 67-2, and consequent loss of the structural integrity of the tail section.

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 an in-service report of an uncommanded and unannunciated nose wheel steering during airplane pushback from the gate. This proposed AD would require installing new cable assemblies with a pull-down resistor. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncommanded nose wheel steering during takeoff or landing in the event of an open circuit in the steering system, and possible consequent runway excursion.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-13- 02, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -200B, and -200F series airplanes. AD 2004-13-02 currently requires initial and repetitive inspections to find discrepancies in the upper and lower skins of the fuselage lap joints, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 2004-13-02, an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicates that the longitudinal lap joints are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD), and that a structural modification at the lap joint, and post-modification repetitive inspections of the skin, existing internal doubler, or splice strap for cracks, and corrective actions if necessary, are required to reach the limit of validity (LOV). This proposed AD would add post-repair inspections for cracking and corrosion, and repair if necessary; structural modification at the lap joints; and post-modification inspections for cracking and corrosion, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the upper and lower skins of the fuselage lap joints, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of a lap joint and rapid in-flight decompression of the airplane fuselage.