Federal Aviation Administration June 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at McNary Field, Salem, OR. Two approaches, the Localizer (LOC) Y runway (RWY) 31 and the LOC/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Back Course (BC) approach RWY 13 were identified as needing additional airspace to meet airspace requirements. The FAA, also, found modification of the airspace for the LOC/DME BC RWY 13 posed an increased risk to the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at the airport.

This action proposes to remove Class E surface area airspace at Farmington Regional Airport, Farmington, MO; and modify Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Bill Martin Memorial Airport, Ava, MO; Cameron Memorial Airport, Cameron, MO; Chillicothe Municipal Airport, Chillicothe, MO; Farmington Regional Airport, Farmington, MO; and Festus Memorial Airport, Festus, MO. Decommissioning of non-directional radio beacons (NDBs), cancellation of NDB approaches, and implementation of area navigation (RNAV) procedures have made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by San Antonio International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On December 29, 2014, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by San Antonio International Airport under part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On June 2, 2015, the FAA approved the San Antonio International Airport noise compatibility program. Both of the recommendations of the program were approved.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS 365 N3 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the cabin and cockpit for labels, placards, or markings that provide jettison procedure instructions for cabin doors, removing any labels, placards, or markings that are in an incorrect location, and installing placards where they are missing. This AD is prompted by the determination that placards had not been installed according to specifications on newly manufactured helicopters. The actions are intended to provide exit procedures during an emergency.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318 and A319 series airplanes, A320-211, - 212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes, and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection to identify the part number and serial number of the main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes installed on the airplane; and inspection of affected chromium plates for damage; an inspection of affected sliding tube axles for damage; and replacement of the sliding tube if necessary. The NPRM was prompted by a report of a rupture of a MLG sliding tube axle. This action revises the NPRM by removing certain service information that does not adequately address the identified unsafe condition and revising the compliance method. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to detect and correct cracks in the axle and (partial) detachment of the axle and wheel from the sliding tube, which could result in failure of an MLG. Since these actions impose an additional burden over those proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700 and -700C series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that for airplanes with blended winglets, the nose-up pitch trim limit and associated warning for the horizontal stabilizer control system will allow take-off with incorrect trim settings. This proposed AD would require, depending on airplane configuration, replacing the pitch trim light plates on the flight deck control stand, relocating the position warning horn switches of the horizontal stabilizer, revising the software, removing the placard, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent take-off with incorrect settings of the horizontal stabilizer pitch trim system. Settings outside of the appropriate pitch trim limits could result in loss of controllability of the airplane during take-off.

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 would apply to certain Zodiac Seats California LLC seating systems. The NPRM proposed to require removing affected seating systems. 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that certain splice plate locations of the aft pressure bulkhead web are hidden and cannot be inspected using existing manufacturer service information. This AD requires repetitive open-hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead web. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the aft pressure bulkhead web, which could result in rapid airplane decompression and loss of structural integrity.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Indiana, PA, to accommodate the new runway at Indiana County Airport (Jimmy Stewart Field). Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of airport.

This action establishes Class E airspace in Lisbon, ND. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Lisbon Municipal Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

The FAA is amending certain airworthiness regulations for transport category airplanes to require fuel tank designs that prevent a fuel tank explosion caused by the propagation of flames, from external fires, through the fuel tank vents. This final rule requires a delay of two minutes and thirty seconds between exposure of external fuel tank vents to ignition sources and explosions caused by propagation of flames into the fuel tank, thus increasing the time available for passenger evacuation and emergency response. These amendments apply to applications for new type certificates and certain applications for amended or supplemental type certificates. The amendments also require certain airplanes produced in the future and operated by air carriers to meet the new standards.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Monroe Regional Airport at Monroe, Louisiana under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-08-05 for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. AD 2016-08-05 required replacement of affected angle of attack (AOA) transducers. This new AD requires the same actions as AD 2016-08-05. This new AD was prompted by a report of a typographical error in the regulatory text of AD 2016-08-05. We are issuing this AD to detect and replace incorrectly calibrated AOA transducers; incorrect calibration of the transducers could result in late activation of the stick pusher.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-05-17 and AD 2001-04-12, which apply to Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2000-05-17 and AD 2001-04-12 required repetitive visual checks of the engine-to-main gearbox (MGB) coupling tube assembly (coupling tube) for a crack and replacing any cracked tube with an airworthy tube. This new AD requires removing certain engine mount parts from service, measuring the height of the engine mounting base for certain helicopters, replacing the engine mount if a certain height is exceeded, inspecting the flared coupling on certain helicopters for a crack, and replacing the coupling if it is cracked. Since we issued AD 2000-05-17 and AD 2001-04-12, there have been reports of additional cracks in coupling tubes. These actions are intended to prevent coupling tube failure, loss of engine drive, and a subsequent forced landing of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain center and outboard stowage bin modules were incorrectly installed. This AD requires an inspection of the center and outboard stowage bin modules for missing parts, quick release pins that are not fully engaged, and parts that are installed in incorrect locations; and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrectly installed center and outboard stowage bin modules that might not remain intact during an emergency landing, resulting in injuries to occupants and interference with airplane evacuation.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the ARAC.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a quality control review on the final assembly line, which determined that the wrong aluminum alloy was used to manufacture several structural parts. This proposed AD would require a one-time eddy current conductivity measurement of certain cabin and cargo compartment structural parts to determine if an incorrect aluminum alloy was used, and replacement of any affected part with a serviceable part. We are proposing this AD to detect and replace structural parts made of incorrect aluminum alloy. This condition could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Glasgow, KY as the Beaver Creek Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, requiring airspace reconfiguration at Glasgow Municipal Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace designated as an extension at Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station, (formerly Otis ANGB), Falmouth, MA, as the Otis TACAN has been decommissioned, requiring airspace reconfiguration. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the airport in the existing Class D and E airspace areas, as well as Falmouth Airpark, Barnstable Municipal Airport-Boardman/Polando Field, Chatham Municipal Airport, Martha's Vineyard Airport, (formerly Martha's Vineyard Municipal Airport), and the BOGEY LOM.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Gainesville Regional Airport, Gainesville, FL; and Orlando Executive Airport, Orlando, FL, by eliminating the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part time status of the Class E airspace designated as an extension at each airport. This is an administrative change to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of Orlando Executive Airport in existing Class D and E airspace.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-13-14, for certain Airbus Model A320-211, -212, and -231 airplanes. AD 98-13- 14 currently requires repetitive rotating probe inspections of fastener holes and/or the adjacent tooling hole of a former junction of the aft fuselage, as applicable, and corrective action, if necessary. AD 98-13- 14 also provides for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since we issued AD 98-13-14, an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicates that the former junction of the aft fuselage is subject to fatigue damage. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 98-13-14, with revised inspection compliance times. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks in the former junction of the aft fuselage; fatigue cracking could propagate and could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracking in both the aluminum strut side skin, and corrosion resistant steel (CRES) outer spring beam support fitting. This proposed AD would require repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking in the strut side skin; an open-hole HFEC inspection for cracking, applicable related investigative and corrective actions; and a fastener installation modification. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the strut side skin; such cracking could result in the failure of the outer spring beam support fitting, which could cause separation of a strut and engine from the airplane during flight.

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 are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE- FALCON 900, FALCON 900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require modification of the anti-collision light bonding. The NPRM was prompted by a report of an in-flight lightning strike to the WHELEN anti-collision light located on the top of the vertical fin tip that caused severe damage and resulted in the loss of some airplane functions. This action revises the NPRM by clarifying the applicability. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to prevent loss of electrical power and essential airplane functions, and possible reduced control of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over those proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.