Federal Aviation Administration 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of uncommanded deployment of the ground spoilers when the power levers were advanced for takeoff, which was caused by faulty switches in the power lever module. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracks, in various directions, in the lower portion of a main landing gear (MLG) piston. This proposed AD would require a detailed visual inspection of the MLG, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend six United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-88, Q-90, Q-114, Q-126, Q-136, and Q-150) and establish one RNAV route (Q-92) in the western United States. The routes would support standard instrument departures (SIDs) and standard terminal arrival routes (STARs) for Denver International Airport. Additionally, the routes will promote operational efficiencies for users and provide connectivity to current and proposed RNAV enroute procedures while enhancing capacity for adjacent airports.

This action proposes to establish Class E en route airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface to accommodate instrument flight rules (IFR) aircraft under control of the Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), Los Angeles, CA. Establishment of this airspace area would ensure controlled airspace exists in those areas where the Federal airway structure is inadequate.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 188A and 188C airplanes; and Model P3A, P-3A, and P3B airplanes type certificated under various other type certificate holders. Certain variants of Model 188A and 188C airplanes are known as ``P-3'' series airplanes. P-3 series airplanes include but are not limited to Model CP-140, NP-3A, P3A, P-3A, P3B, P-3B, P-3C, P-3P, and WP-3D airplanes. This AD requires a borescope inspection of the aileron control rod assembly to determine if threads exist on the aileron control rod body, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that certain aileron control rod bodies were incorrectly machined so that they did not include the load- carrying threads in the bore of the aileron control rod body. As a result, aileron control rod assemblies, which contain the discrepant part, do not provide adequate load carrying capabilities. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at Myrtle Beach International Airport, Myrtle Beach, SC.

This action modifies the description of VOR Federal airway V- 312 by removing a maximum authorized altitude (MAA) limitation published along the airway segment between the Woodstown, NJ, VORTAC, and the Coyle, NJ, VORTAC. The MAA is no longer required for air traffic control purposes and the FAA is removing it in order to improve the efficient flow of air traffic in the Philadelphia, PA area.

This action amends Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace and Class E airspace designated as an extension to a Class D surface area, by updating the name to Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field, Erie, PA. This action also amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Erie, PA, by updating the name to St. Vincent Health Center Heliport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport and heliport, and replaces the outdated term ``Airport/Facility Directory'' with the term ``Chart Supplement'' in the legal descriptions of associated Class D and E airspace to match the FAA's aeronautical database. The Class E surface airspace is further clarified showing removal of the extensions, and the Class E extension airspace is further clarified showing removal of the part-time Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) language.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires installing a cut-out for the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) rail support junction profiles and inspecting splices, frame 5295, and related equipment for a crack. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks on frame 5295 and on splices installed to prevent those cracks. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 and R44 II helicopters. This proposed AD would require visually checking each tail rotor blade for a crack. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of cracking in certain tail rotor blades. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-01-12, AD 2017-11-08, and AD 2017-15-09 for certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model DA 42 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as uncommanded engine shutdown during flight due to failure of the propeller-regulating valve caused by hot exhaust gases coming from fractured engine exhaust pipes. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-11-03 for DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB gliders that are equipped with a Solo 2625 02 engine modified with a fuel injection system following the instructions of Solo Kleinmoteren GmbH Technische Mitteilung 4600-3 and 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. This AD adds a model to the applicability. 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 Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76C helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the engine collective position transducer (CPT). This AD was prompted by reports of wear of the CPT that has resulted in several One Engine Inoperative (OEI) incidents. The actions of this AD are intended to detect and prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601 Variant), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fractured rudder pedal tubes on the pilot-side rudder bar assembly. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the rudder pedal tubes for cracking and corrective actions if necessary. Replacement of both pilot-side rudder bar assemblies terminates the inspections. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 777-8 and 777-9 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport- category airplanes. This design feature is folding wingtips. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the ARAC.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2017-14- 03 for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. AD 2017-14-03 requires an inspection and reduces the retirement lives of certain landing gear components. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2017-14-03, reduce the retirement lives of additional landing gear components, and require repeating the inspection. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend six United States Area Navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-88, Q-90, Q-114, Q-126, Q-136, and Q-150) and establish one RNAV route (Q-92) in the western United States. The routes would support standard instrument departures (SIDs) and standard terminal arrival routes (STARs) for Denver International Airport. Additionally, the routes will promote operational efficiencies for users and provide connectivity to current and proposed RNAV enroute procedures while enhancing capacity for adjacent airports.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Freeport, PA, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures serving McVille Airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface at Hamilton Municipal Airport (formerly Elisha Payne Airport), Hamilton, NY, to accommodate airspace reconfiguration due to the decommissioning of the Georgetown VHF omni- directional radio range tactical air navigation aid (VORTAC), and cancellation of the VORTAC approach. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport, and updates the airport name.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318 series airplanes and Model A319 series airplanes; all Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and all Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the holes of the upper cleat to upper stringer attachments at certain areas of the left- and right-hand wings are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires modifying the holes of the upper cleat to upper stringer attachments at certain areas of the left- and right-hand wings. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A319-115 and -132 airplanes, and Model A320-214, - 216, -232, and -233 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that certain modified airplanes do not have electrical ground wires on the fuel level sensing control unit (FLSCU), which adversely affects the fuel gravity feeding operation. This proposed AD would require modification of the FLSCU wiring. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-16- 05, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, - 700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. AD 2017-16-05 requires a one-time detailed visual inspection for discrepancies in the Krueger flap bullnose attachment hardware, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2017-16-05, we received a report of a missing no. 2 Krueger flap bullnose hinge bolt from an airplane that was not included in the applicability of AD 2017- 16-05. This proposed AD would add airplanes and an additional inspection to determine if any Krueger flap no. 1, 2, 3, or 4 has been replaced, and related investigative and corrective actions. Since this is a rotable parts issue, the applicability of this AD has been expanded beyond the airplanes listed in the related service bulletin to include all airplanes on which a Krueger flap bullnose may be installed. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-13- 16, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. AD 2016-13-16 requires an inspection or records check to determine if affected horizontal stabilizers are installed, related investigative actions, and, for affected horizontal stabilizers, repetitive inspections for any crack of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar upper chord, and corrective action if necessary. Since we issued AD 2016-13-16, we have determined that clarification of inspection areas and serial number information of the horizontal stabilizer is necessary. Therefore, this proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2016-13-16, with revised service information that clarifies the inspection areas and serial number information of the horizontal stabilizer. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.