Federal Aviation Administration April 11, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-22B and RB211-524 turbofan engines with low- pressure turbine (LPT) support roller bearing, part number (P/N) LK30313 or P/N UL29651, installed. This AD requires removal of certain LPT support roller bearings installed in RR RB211-22B and RB211-524 engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a breach of the turbine casing and release of engine debris through a hole in the engine nacelle. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPT support roller bearing, loss of radial position following LPT blade failure, uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various restricted category helicopters. This proposed AD would require cleaning and visually inspecting certain main rotor (M/R) blades and, depending on the outcome of the inspections, repairing or replacing the M/R blades. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of an M/R blade with multiple fatigue cracks around the blade retention bolt hole. The proposed actions are intended to detect a crack in the M/R blade, and prevent failure of the M/R blade and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-23-02 for Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS- 365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. AD 2010-23-02 required amending the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to limit the never-exceed velocity (VNE) to 150 Knots Indicated Air Speed (KIAS) and to add a 1,500 ft/minute rate of descent (R/D) limitation beyond 140 KIAS. Since we issued AD 2010-23-02, a design change designated as modification (MOD) 0755B28 improved the dynamic behavior of the horizontal stabilizer such that AD actions are not required. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2010-23-01 and revises the applicability to exclude helicopters with MOD 0755B28. We are issuing this AD to exclude certain helicopters from the applicability and restrict the VNE on other helicopters to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Textron Aviation, Inc. Models 310 through 310R, E310H, E310J, T310P through T310R, 310J-1, 320 through 320F, 320-1, 335, 340, 340A, 401 through 401B, 402 through 402C, 411, 411A, 414, 414A, and 421 through 421C airplanes (type certificates 3A10, 3A25, and A7CE previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company). This AD requires replacement and repetitive inspections of the hardware securing the elevator trim push-pull rod. This AD was prompted by lessons learned in accident investigation support, analysis of past accidents, and NTSB determinations of probable cause. That information indicates that following the loss of the attachment hardware connecting the elevator trim tab actuator to the elevator trim tab push-pull rod, the elevator tab may jam in a position outside the normal limits of travel. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-20-07 for certain 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). AD 97-20-07 required repetitive inspections to detect fatigue cracking in the left and right wings in the area where the top skin attaches to the center spar, and repair or modification of this area if necessary. This new AD reduces the inspection compliance time and repetitive inspection intervals. This AD was prompted by a determination that the inspection compliance time and repetitive inspection interval must be reduced to allow timely detection of fatigue cracking in the left and right wings in the area where the top skin attaches to the center spar. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct this fatigue cracking, which could reduce the residual strength of the top skin of the wings, and consequently affect the structural integrity of the airframe.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a fuel leak that occurred in the baggage compartment during fuel system pressurization. This AD requires opening the fuel boxes and restoring the sealing. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a connector or coupling on a fuel line, which, in combination with a leak in the corresponding enclosure (i.e., fuel box), could result in a fire in the baggage compartment and affect the safe flight of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD is intended to complete certain mandated programs intended to support the airplane reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering data that support the established structural maintenance program. This AD was prompted by fatigue testing that determined fatigue damage could appear on clips, shear webs, and angles at certain rear fuselage sections and certain frames. This AD requires replacing the clips, shear webs, and angles, including doing all applicable related investigative actions, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue damage on the clips, shear webs, and angles; such damage could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-21-06 for all BAE SYSTEMS (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. AD 2011-21- 06 required revising the maintenance program. This new AD requires a new revision of the maintenance or inspection program. This AD was prompted by a determination that the life limit of certain main landing gear components must be reduced, and certain post-repair inspections of critical structure are necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of certain structurally significant items, including the main landing gear and nose landing gear, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane; and to prevent fuel vapor ignition sources, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.