Federal Aviation Administration December 19, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-13- 16, which applies to all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300 series airplanes, and all Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. AD 2013-13-16 currently requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the ball-screw assembly of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA), repetitive greasing of the THSA ball-nut, and replacement of the THSA if necessary; and modification or replacement (as applicable) of the ball-nut assembly, which ends certain repetitive inspections. Since we issued AD 2013-13- 16, we have determined that a modification that automatically detects failure of the ball-screw assembly is necessary. This proposed AD would require an inspection, corrective actions if necessary, lubrication of the ball-nut, modification of the THSA, and removal of certain airplanes from the applicability. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-17-05, for certain Airbus Model A300 B2-1C, A300 B2-203, A300 B2K-3C, A300-B4- 103, A300 B4-203, and A300 B4-2C airplanes. AD 2011-17-05 required repetitive inspections in sections 13 through 18 of the fuselage between rivets of the longitudinal lap joints between frames (FRs) 18 and 80 for cracking, and repair or modification if necessary. This new AD requires a revised repetitive inspection program of all longitudinal lap joints and repairs between FRs 18 and 80 to address widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD was prompted by an evaluation done by the design approval holder indicating that certain sections of the longitudinal lap joints are subject to WFD; therefore, a revised inspection program is necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.