Federal Aviation Administration April 5, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Thirty-Ninth RTCA Special Committee 224 meeting.

This correction amends a final rule published in the Federal Register of February 8, 2016 amending Class E surface area airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension at Alpena County Regional Airport, Alpena, MI, and Muskegon County Airport, Muskegon, MI. This correction adds part-time Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) language to the Class E surface area description for the above airports.

This correction amends the final rule published in the Federal Register of February 8, 2016, amending the Class E surface area airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension at Wilmington Air Park, Wilmington, OH. This correction adds part-time Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) language inadvertently removed to the Class E surface area description. The geographic coordinates and airport name of Wilmington Air Park in Class D and E airspace, and in Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface are added to the rule. The Title is also amended to include Class D airspace.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that static strength analysis has shown that the aluminum transmission aft bearing plate assemblies have inadequate structural strength for one or more of the required load cases, including cases for drive system jam, flap skew, and structural damage tolerance. Inadequate structural strength can result in damage to the transmission aft bearing plate assemblies. This proposed AD would require removing aluminum transmission aft bearing plate assemblies from the flap track and installing titanium transmission aft bearing plate assemblies to the flap track. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadequate structural strength of transmission aft bearing plate assemblies. This condition could result in damaged transmission aft bearing plate assemblies, which could result in incorrect operation and departure of the flap from the airplane and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; and 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 proposed AD was prompted by the determination that certain existing inspection thresholds and intervals must be reduced. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for corrosion, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion and cracking on the lower wing root joint, which could reduce the structural integrity of the airframe.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of the aft fixed fairing (AFF) of the pylons due to fatigue damage of the structure. This AD requires repetitive inspections for damage and cracking of the AFF of the pylons, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage and cracking of the AFF of the pylons, which could result in detachment of a pylon and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This AD requires modifying the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wiring to prevent development of an ignition source inside the center fuel tank. We are issuing this AD to prevent ignition sources inside the center fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.