Federal Aviation Administration November 30, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a manufacturing oversight, in which a supplier omitted the required protective finish on certain bushings installed in the rear spar upper chord on horizontal stabilizers, which could lead to galvanic corrosion and consequent cracking of the rear spar upper chord. This proposed AD would require an inspection or records check to determine if affected horizontal stabilizers are installed, related investigative actions, and for affected horizontal stabilizers, repetitive inspections for any crack of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar upper chord, and corrective action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the rear spar upper chord, which can result in the failure of the upper chord and consequent departure of the horizontal stabilizer from the airplane, which can lead to loss of continued safe flight and landing.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the bulkhead is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead web for any cracking, incorrectly drilled fastener holes, and elongated fastener holes, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead web at the ``Y''-chord, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane and rapid decompression of the fuselage.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Clinton, AR. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures developed at Clinton Municipal Airport, for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at West Dover, VT as the Mt. Snow Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, requiring airspace redesign at Deerfield Valley Regional Airport. This action would enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would recognize the airport's name change.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). The NPRM proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) that had applied to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Tay 650-15 and Tay 651-54 turbofan engines. The proposed action would have required reducing the cyclic life limits for certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) disks. Accordingly, we withdraw the proposed rule.