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

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2016-04-12, that applies to certain Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (formerly Turbomeca S.A.) Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2D, 2E, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines. AD 2016-04-12 required spectrometric oil analysis (SOA) inspection of the engine accessory gearbox (AGB), and, depending on the results, removal of the engine AGB. This AD requires initial and repetitive wear inspections of the engine AGB cover. This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight shutdown (IFSD) of an Arriel 2S2 engine caused by rupture of the 41-tooth gear, which forms part of the bevel gear in the engine AGB. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA amends its airworthiness standards for normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes by replacing current prescriptive design requirements with performance-based airworthiness standards. These standards also replace the current weight and propulsion divisions in small airplane regulations with performance- and risk-based divisions for airplanes with a maximum seating capacity of 19 passengers or less and a maximum takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds or less. These airworthiness standards are based on, and will maintain, the level of safety of the current small airplane regulations, except for areas addressing loss of control and icing, for which the safety level has been increased. The FAA adopts additional airworthiness standards to address certification for flight in icing conditions, enhanced stall characteristics, and minimum control speed to prevent departure from controlled flight for multiengine airplanes. This rulemaking is in response to the Congressional mandate set forth in the Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013.

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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of stick shaker activation at airspeeds that were above the stall protection system's stick shaker schedule. This AD requires installing angle-of-attack (AOA) sensor external case heaters on the existing AOA sensors, installing additional wires, and doing a functional test and applicable corrective actions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class C surface area, and modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Kahului Airport, Kahului, HI. Due to changes to the available instrument flight procedures since the last airspace review and advances in Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping accuracy, modifications are necessary to ensure the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends the legal descriptions for Class E surface airspace and Class E airspace upward from 700 feet above the surface to correct the airport name for Cedar City Regional Airport (formerly Cedar City Municipal Airport), Cedar City, UT, and amends the airport reference point (ARP) geographic coordinates to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action also changes the name of the VHF Omnidirectional Range Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) noted in the Class E surface area airspace legal description to the Enoch VOR/ DME (formerly Cedar City VOR/DME). These changes do not affect the charted boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes; and A340-313 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of Tartaric Sulfuric Anodizing (TSA)/Chromic Acid Anodizing (CAA) surface treatment in certain bulk cargo door frame holes of certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspection of the fuselage bulk cargo door frames at specific locations, and corrective action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by wire harness chafing on the electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) for certain spoilers due to insufficient separation with adjacent structure. This proposed AD would require replacement of affected EMAs. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD requires inspecting certain bearings. This AD is prompted by a report of a failed bearing. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of a new information collection. The information collected is used to verify that pilots in command meet the requirements of section 2307 of Public Law 114-190. The new information collection is in response to implementation of section 2307, medical certification of certain small aircraft pilots, of Public Law 114-190, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (FESSA). Section 2307 of FESSA established a new voluntary program of physical examination and education requirements for certain pilots in command in lieu of those pilots holding a medical certificate.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Agusta Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD requires performing operational checks of both hydraulic systems. This AD was prompted by an assessment of the hydraulic systems of the helicopter following an accident. These actions are intended to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS355NP helicopters. This AD requires removing and installing the fire extinguishing system pipes. This AD is prompted by the discovery that the left-hand and right-hand fire extinguishing discharge systems were incorrectly connected. The actions of this AD are intended to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This proposed AD would require installing an engine flame detector bracket assembly and harness assembly. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of false fire warnings. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes; Model 757 airplanes; and Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and - 400ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of uncommanded autopilot engagement events resulting in incorrect stabilizer trim adjustment during takeoff. This AD requires, depending on the model/ configuration, installing an on-ground stabilizer autotrim inhibit system, relays and related wiring to open and close the flight control computer (FCC) analog output, and new operational program software (OPS) into the FCCs. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Viking Air Limited Models DHC-2 Mk. I, DHC-2 Mk. II, and DHC-2 Mk. III airplanes that supersedes AD 2016-19-08. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as corrosion of the elevator control rod and of the elevator actuating lever on the control column, which could cause these components to fail. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 F4-600R series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of two adjacent frame forks that were found cracked on the aft lower deck cargo door (LDCD) of two Model A300-600F4 airplanes during scheduled maintenance. This AD requires repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the aft LDCD frame forks; a one-time check of the LDCD clearances; and a one-time detailed visual inspection of hooks, eccentric bushes, and x-stops; and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that during the assembly of structural elements on some airplanes, lack of established procedures and tools caused boring and torqueing defects to be present at some locations. This proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection of bore holes for defects, replacement of bolts, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab AB, Saab Aeronautics Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an occurrence that was reported of rudder pedal restriction on a SAAB Model 2000 airplane with the large potable water system (LPWS) installed, equipped with in-line heaters. This AD requires installation of shrinkable tubes on the water piping of the basic potable water system (BPWS). We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; and Model MD-88 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of fatigue cracking in a rear spar lower cap of the horizontal stabilizer. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the rear spar lower caps of the horizontal stabilizer, post-modification and post-repair inspections, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating fatigue life enhancement modification. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Forty Sixth RTCA SC-224 Plenary.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20- D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of defective fire extinguisher tubes. This proposed AD would require replacement of the affected fire extinguisher tubes with improved fire extinguisher tubes. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200 and -200PF series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that certain areas of the frame webs are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the frame webs for any open coordinating holes, tooling holes, and insulation blanket attachment holes; repair if necessary; and modification of the frame webs at all open hole locations, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-22- 06 for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2015-22-06 currently requires revising the After Start Normal Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures that address latent failures in the Spoiler and Elevator Computer (SEC). Since we issued AD 2015-22-06, there have been reports that some maintenance messages pointed out the loss of elevator servo control monitoring performed by SEC 1, SEC 2, or both, during the engine start. This proposed AD would add a requirement to install updated SEC software. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.