Federal Aviation Administration March 27, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model 269D and Model 269D Configuration A helicopters. This AD requires reducing the life limit of and inspecting certain drive shafts. This AD is prompted by four incidents involving failure of a drive shaft. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Class D and E airspace at Elmira, NY, as the ERINN Outer Marker (OM) has been decommissioned requiring airspace reconfiguration at Elmira/Corning Regional Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport, and eliminates the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status of the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area. Also, the FAA found the Class E airspace designated as an extension to a class D surface area description was inaccurate. This action corrects the error.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of incidents involving fatigue cracking in transport category airplanes that are approaching or have exceeded their design service objective and a structural reevaluation that was conducted by the manufacturer. We have determined that supplemental inspections are required for timely detection of fatigue cracking for certain structurally significant items (SSIs). This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to add supplemental inspections. This proposed AD would also require inspections to detect cracks in each SSI, and repair of any cracked structure. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the fire block in the closets and video control stations, and fire blocking tape in the floor panel opening in the forward and aft main passenger cabin, might be missing on some airplanes. This AD requires installing a fire block in the closets and video control stations, as applicable, and installing fire blocking tape in the floor panel openings in the forward and aft main passenger cabin. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, at Perry Stokes Airport, Trinidad, CO. Airspace redesign is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at the airport due to the decommissioning of the Trinidad Non-Directional Radio Beacon (NDB) and cancellation of associated approaches. This action ensures the safety, efficiency, and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Additionally, the airport's geographic coordinates are updated to match the FAA's aeronautical database.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B4-603, B4-620, and B4-622 airplanes; Model A300 B4- 605R and A300 B4-622R airplanes; and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes. This AD was prompted by an in-service detection of cracks in the fuselage skin lap joints. This AD requires an ultrasonic inspection of certain skin lap joints, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.