Federal Aviation Administration October 16, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that frame web and frame integral inboard chord cracking is occurring on multiple airplanes in multiple locations below the passenger floor. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed, general visual, and high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the section 43 lower lobe frames at certain stations; an inspection to determine if certain repairs are installed; and applicable on-condition actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends the legal description of Class E surface airspace at Lancaster Airport, Lancaster, PA, by removing the Lancaster VORTAC from the header, and rewording the description for clarity. Also, this action amends the legal description of Class E surface airspace at Williamsport Regional Airport, Williamsport, PA, by removing the Williamsport Regional Airport ILS localizer from the header, and rewording the description for clarity. Finally, this action amends the legal description of Class E airspace designated as an extension to Class D airspace at Williamsport Regional Airport by rewording the description for clarity. This action does not affect the boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-07-26, which applied to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 airplanes. AD 2006-07-26 required a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies (e.g., cracking, loose/sheared fasteners, distortion) on the left-hand and right-hand wings, of the outer wing box upper skin and upper rib feet, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 2006- 07-26, after initial findings had suggested the cracking was isolated to a few airplanes, we received reports of cracking in these same areas on other Model ATR42 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies on the left-hand and right-hand wings, of the outer wing box upper skin and upper rib feet, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-16-07, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-200 Freighter, A330-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes; and Model A340-313 airplanes. AD 2017-16-07 required inspection of the fuselage bulk cargo door frames at specific locations, and corrective action if necessary. This AD requires new inspections of certain attachment holes for residual surface treatment and cracking, and corrective action if necessary; and provides an optional terminating action for the inspections. This AD also revises the applicability to add certain airplanes and remove others. This AD was prompted by a determination that only airplanes having certain manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs) are affected by tartaric sulfuric anodizing (TSA)/chromic acid anodizing (CAA) surface treatment in the door fitting attachment holes, and that airplanes having certain MSNs were excluded. This 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. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new and/or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. 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 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by the results of a fleet survey that revealed cracking in the bulkhead frame web at a certain body station. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the bulkhead frame web at a certain station, and applicable on-condition actions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.