Federal Aviation Administration May 25, 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the FAA's regulatory activities. 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 certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 airplanes. This AD was prompted by fatigue cracking in the fuselage station (FS) 332.00 bulkhead common to the horizontal stabilizer front spar attachment. This AD requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in the bulkhead and any necessary repairs. This AD also provides an optional modification if no cracks are found that will greatly reduce the likelihood of the specified cracks. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB gliders that are equipped with a Solo 2625 02 engine that has been modified with a fuel injection system following the instructions of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin (SB)/Technische Mitteilung (TM) 4600-3 ``Fuel Injection System'' and re-identified as Solo 2625 02i. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of the connecting rod bearing resulting from too much load on the rod bearings from the engine control unit. 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 series airplanes; and 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). This AD was prompted by reports indicating that on airplanes that received a certain repair following crack findings, cracks can re-initiate. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the center wing frame (FR) 40 lower outboard radius for cracking, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing 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 and 787-9 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that a portion of the sealant above the engine pylon between the wing skin and the vapor barrier might have been omitted. This AD requires an inspection for missing sealant in the seam on the outside and inside of the engine struts, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-16-19 for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes. AD 2014-16-19 required revision of the maintenance or inspection program to include certain fuel airworthiness limitations. This new AD requires revision of the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include new fuel airworthiness limitations. This new AD also removes certain airplanes from the applicability of AD 2014-16-19. This AD was prompted by the issuance of more restrictive fuel airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-17- 09 for all Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and AD 2012-25-12 for all Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2011-17-09 required revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. AD 2012-25-12 required replacing certain main landing gear (MLG) bogie beams before reaching new reduced life limits. This new AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new, more restrictive, or revised instructions and/or airworthiness limitation requirements. This AD was prompted by revisions to certain airworthiness limitation item (ALI) documents, which specify more restrictive instructions and/or airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that cracks could develop on holes at certain fuselage frame locations. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking on holes at certain fuselage frame locations, and repairs if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.