Federal Aviation Administration January 21, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action reopens the comment period for the NPRM published September 10, 2015, proposing to expand the restricted airspace at Chincoteague Inlet, VA. This reopening of the comment period is necessary because a chart depicting the proposed airspace was not available prior to the original comment period closing date. This action will ensure that interested persons have the opportunity to view the chart and submit comments regarding the proposal.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-11- 15, for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. AD 2012-11-15 currently requires a one-time detailed inspection for cracks, corrosion, and other defects of the rear face of the wing rear spar, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 2012-11-15, we received new reports of cracking found in the wing rear spar and technical analysis results confirmed that the crack initiation and propagation are due to fatigue, with no indication of any other crack initiation mechanism (e.g. stress corrosion). This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the wing rear spar, which could propagate to a critical length, possibly affecting the structural integrity of the area and resulting in a fuel tank rupture, with consequent damage to the airplane and possible injury to its occupants.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) Model K-1200 helicopters. This proposed AD would require revising the ``Flight LimitationsNO LOAD'' and ``Flight LimitationsLOAD'' sections of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This proposed AD is prompted by a report of certain flight maneuvers that may lead to main rotor (M/R) blade to opposing hub contact. The proposed actions are intended to prevent damage to the M/R flight controls and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-10- 03, for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2015-10-03 currently requires a detailed inspection for visible chrome of each affected main landing gear (MLG) sidestay upper cardan pin, associated nuts, and retainer assembly; pin replacement if needed; measurement of cardan pin clearance dimensions (gap check); corrective actions if necessary; and a report of all findings. Since we issued AD 2015-10-03, further investigation concluded that the reported MLG sidestay upper cardan pin migration event had been caused by corrosion due to lack of jointing compound and inadequate sealant application during the MLG installation. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the upper cardan pin and nut threads for any corrosion, pitting, or thread damage, and if necessary, replacement of the cardan pin and nut threads. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability to include additional airplane models. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct migration of the sidestay upper cardan pin, which could result in disconnection of the sidestay upper arm from the airplane structure, and could result in a landing gear collapse and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

We are revising airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-12-09 for Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, EC135T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. AD 2015-12-09 required inspecting certain washers for movement and making the appropriate repairs if the washers move. As published, AD 2015-12-09 referenced an incorrect date for the service information in the Credit for Previous Actions section. This AD corrects the error while retaining the requirements of AD 2015-12-09. These actions are intended to prevent loss of concerned control axis and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) (previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) Model MBB-BK 117 A-1, A-3, A-4, B-1, B-2, C-1, and C-2 helicopters. This AD requires an initial and recurring inspection of the N2 control arm and, depending on the outcome of the inspection, repairing or replacing the N2 control arm. This AD was prompted by a report of a heavily corroded and broken N2 control arm. The actions of this AD are intended to detect corrosion, a crack, or a scratch in the N2 control arm, which could lead to failure of the N2 control arm, a drop in rotor speed, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-23-20, for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX and MYSTERE-FALCON 900 airplanes. AD 2002-23-20 required repetitive operational tests of the flap asymmetry detection system to verify proper functioning, and repair if necessary; repetitive replacement of the inboard flap jackscrews with new or reconditioned jackscrews; and repetitive measurement of the screw/nut play of the jackscrews on the inboard and outboard flaps to detect discrepancies, and corrective action if necessary. AD 2002-23-20 also required a revision of the airplane flight manual. Since we issued AD 2002-23-20, the maintenance manual has been revised. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include the maintenance tasks and airworthiness limitations specified in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the airplane maintenance manual. This AD also removes the Model FALCON 900EX airplanes from the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310 and Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by a report of skin disbonding and damage found on the composite side panel of the rudder, located between the rudder core and skin of a previously repaired area. This AD requires an inspection for disbonding or damage of certain rudders, and related investigative actions and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct disbonding and damage of the rudder, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the rudder and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fluid entry and accumulation in the aft equipment bay. This AD requires modifying the aft equipment bay. We are issuing 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.