Federal Aviation Administration 2017 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action to modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Willows-Glenn County Airport, Willows, CA, for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Decommissioning of the Maxwell VHF Omni- directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) navigation aid and cancellation of associated approaches has made this action necessary. Also, the airport's geographic coordinates are adjusted to match the current FAA aeronautical database.

This action establishes additional Class E en route domestic airspace around the Iron Mountain VHF omnidirectional range/distance measuring equipment, MI, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). This action enhances the safety and efficiency of IFR operations within the National Airspace System. This action also removes the Federal airways exclusionary language from the regulatory text. Additionally, the correct navigation aid is noted in Class E 700 foot airspace.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of damaged vapor seals, block seals, and heat shield seals on the outboard pylons between the engine strut and aft fairing. This AD requires repetitive inspections for heat damage of the vapor seals between the engine strut and aft fairing, and replacement of the seals with new seals if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-13-12 R1 for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2008-13-12 R1 required various repetitive inspections for cracking of a certain splice of the fuselage, and other specified and corrective actions if necessary; and provided for an optional preventive modification, which terminated the repetitive inspections. This new AD adds an inspection to determine if the existing frame repair meets all specified requirements; a modification of a certain splice, which terminates the repetitive inspections; reduces certain inspection thresholds and repetitive intervals; and adds post-repair/post-modification inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of additional fatigue cracking of a certain splice of the fuselage and one report of a severed frame, due to susceptibility to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-05-06 for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) (now Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH) Model EC135 and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters to correct an error in the compliance time. AD 2014-05-06 required inspecting the flight- control bearings and installing bushings and washers. This AD requires the same actions. These actions are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish two temporary restricted areas, designated R-2920A and R-2920B, south of the Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), FL, Range Complex and within the 14 CFR part 93 ``Valparaiso, Florida, Terminal Area'' Special Air Traffic Rules Area. The purpose of the proposed areas is to test counter-unmanned aircraft systems capabilities. The temporary restricted areas would be in effect from May 11 to May 18, 2017.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. Model 560XL airplanes. This AD requires inspections of the fuel tube and right alternating current (AC) generator wires. This AD was prompted by reports of inadequate separation between the electrical wire bundle and fuel tube. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-20- 09 for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2014-20-09 currently requires an inspection for missing clamps that are required to provide positive separation between the alternating current (AC) feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate extension, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2014-20-09, it was determined that certain airplane serial numbers are not subject to the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would remove airplanes from the AD applicability. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-22-12 for all Airbus Model A330-243, -243F, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes. AD 2012-22-12 required inspecting piccolo tubes and mount links, the aft side of the forward bulkhead, and outer boundary angles (OBAs); and doing corrective actions if necessary. This new AD retains certain requirements of AD 2012-22-12, and adds inspections of certain areas of the forward bulkhead, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking of air intake cowls, worn and detached attachment links, fractured thermal anti-ice (TAI) piccolo tubes, and loose or missing attachment rivets of the inner boundary angles (IBAs) and OBAs of the forward bulkhead. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-16-08 for certain BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. AD 2012-16-08 required repetitive inspections for bulging, surface anomalies, and cracking of the fuselage skin adjacent to the discharge valves, and repair and application of additional sealant in the affected area if necessary. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2012-16-08, expands the applicability, and requires an additional one-time inspection for the presence of water traps/air driers to determine which airplanes must be inspected. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking and surface anomalies of the fuselage skin at the water trap/air drier unit of the forward discharge valve due to corrosion, and the determination that airplanes on which a certain auto-pressurization modification was incorporated during production were excluded from the applicability of AD 2012-16-08, but are also affected by this condition. 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 757 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of single and multiple uncommanded spoiler panel extensions during flight when there was a hydraulic system failure. This AD requires replacing certain spoiler power control units (PCUs) with new or changed PCUs. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-10-17 for all Airbus Model A300 and A310 series airplanes, and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). AD 2011-10- 17 required revising the maintenance program by incorporating certain airworthiness limitation items (ALIs). This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised structural inspection requirements. This AD also removes Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes from the applicability. This AD was prompted by a revision of certain 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-16-07 for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-500 series airplanes. AD 2012-16- 07 required inspections of the fuselage skin at the chem-milled steps, and repair if necessary. This new AD adds new inspections, permanent repairs of time-limited repairs, related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and skin panel replacement. This AD was prompted by evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) that indicates that the fuselage skin is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD), and reports of cracking in certain areas of the fuselage skin. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; 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); and Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD is intended to complete certain mandated programs intended to support the airplane reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering data that support the established structural maintenance program. This proposed AD would require inspecting the forward passenger doors to identify the part number, and for affected doors, inspecting to identify existing repairs and corrective actions 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 Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 (including configuration C-2e) and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require replacing the main rotor (M/R) blade vibration absorbers. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of strong M/R blade vibrations on a Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopter. The proposed actions are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Model HP 137 Jetstream MK1, Jetstream Series 200, and Jetstream Series 3101 airplanes that would supersede AD 2014-07-07. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 cracking of the forward main landing gear yoke pintle resulting from corrosion pits leading to stress corrosion cracking. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 767-300 and 767-300F airplanes. Certain service information citations in the preamble and regulatory text are incorrect. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-16-10 for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. AD 2014-16-10 required initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (UIs) of the affected low-pressure (LP) compressor blades. This AD requires the UIs in AD 2014-16-10 while reducing the inspection threshold. This AD was prompted by revised service information to reduce the inspection threshold for UI of the LP compressor blades. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at McNary Field, Salem, OR. After a review of the airspace, the FAA found additional airspace is required to support the current standard instrument approach and departure procedures for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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.

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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by widespread corrosion damage that was found on the skin inner surface along the upper bulkhead at certain stations between certain stringers. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the fuselage crown skin inner surface, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also allows for terminating actions for the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Airbus Helicopters) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD requires inspections and a torque of certain attachment points. This AD was prompted by a design reassessment. These actions are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

On December 13, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a final rule to permit operators to use an enhanced flight vision system in lieu of natural vision to continue descending from 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation to the runway and to land on certain straight-in instrument approach procedures under instrument flight rules. The FAA is delaying the effective date of this final rule.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the Twentieth Meeting of the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC).