Federal Aviation Administration 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-06-20 R1, which applied to all Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes, and certain Model F28 Mark 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 airplanes. AD 2008-06-20 R1 required revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for certain airplanes, and the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, for certain other airplanes, to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. AD 2008-06-20 R1 also clarified the intended effect on spare and on-airplane fuel tank system components, regarding the use of maintenance manuals and instructions for continued airworthiness. This new AD was prompted by revised fuel airworthiness limitation items (ALI) tasks, and critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCL) items, and associated thresholds, intervals, and instructions. This AD requires contacting the FAA to obtain instructions for addressing the unsafe condition on these products, and doing the actions specified in those instructions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify the San Francisco, CA, Class B airspace area to contain aircraft conducting instrument flight rules (IFR) instrument approach procedures to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Francisco, CA. The FAA is taking this action to improve the flow of air traffic, enhance safety, and reduce the potential for midair collision in the SFO Class B airspace area while accommodating the concerns of airspace users. Further, this effort supports the FAA's national airspace redesign goal of optimizing terminal and enroute airspace to reduce aircraft delays and improve system capacity. This notice does not constitute either a final decision of the FAA or a re-opening of the FAA's August 6, 2014, final decision for the Northern California (NorCal) Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex (OAPM) project.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 3, 2017 (82 FR 51331). The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 mandates that all helicopter air ambulance operators must begin reporting the number of flights and hours flown, along with other specified information, during which helicopters operated by the certificate holder are providing helicopter air ambulance services. The helicopter air ambulance operational data provided to the FAA is used by the agency as background information useful in the development of risk mitigation strategies to reduce the helicopter air ambulance accident rate, and to meet the mandates set by Congress. In response to the November 3, 2017 notice and request for comments, the FAA received two comments. One comment from an individual and one comment from the Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA). The individual commented that the hourly burden per average response estimate has increased since the last notice was published on July 29, 2014 (79 FR 44083) and asked for the reason for the change in estimated burden. In response, the FAA clarifies that none of the requirements have changed, but operator data have changed. The overall number of operators has decreased. Additionally, the number of large operators (to which we attribute a higher hourly burden) has increased and the number of small operators (to which we attribute a lower hourly burden) has decreased. Therefore, in the aggregate, the average hourly burden increased from six (6) hours to eleven (11) hours per operator. The AMOA commented that they strongly supported the intent of the data collection requirement, but also noted that the original collection requirement should have been the subject of notice and comment rulemaking. The FAA notes, as indicated in the August 12, 2013 Requests for Comments; Clearance of a New Approval of Information Collection: Helicopter Air Ambulance Operator Reports (78 FR 48925), that prior to issuance of the first information collection notice, representatives from the Flight Standards Service, Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention, and the Office of the Chief Counsel met with representatives from AMOA to discuss the FAA's approach to this data collection. Meetings were held on October 15, 2012 and May 17, 2013. On June 28, 2013 AMOA submitted a response to the FAA discussing its view of the method to collect the data being pursued by the FAA. A copy of that letter was placed in the docket (FAA-2013-0684) and was considered by the agency. AMOA also commented that the FAA has underestimated the hourly burden for both large and small operators. Although AMOA did not provide any specific data to support its comment, in response the FAA has increased the estimates of hourly burden for both large and small operators in this notice and request for comments. AMOA also requested information from the FAA's Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention and commented on the FAA's implementation of certain provisions of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which are both beyond the scope of this clearance of a renewed approval of information collection.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 2000EX, and FALCON 900EX airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) and minimum equipment list (MEL) to incorporate new limitations. This AD also provides an optional terminating action that removes the AFM and MEL limitations. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, during approach, an airplane had an unexpected change of barometric settings on both the pilot and co-pilot sides, which also impacted certain display and navigational systems. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA has assigned the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) a new task to provide recommendations regarding the agency's guidance on the certification and oversight of all part 145 repair stations. This notice informs the public of the new ARAC activity and solicits membership for the new Part 145 Working Group.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Twenty Sixth RTCA SC-223 IPS and AeroMACS Plenary.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Fourth RTCA SC-236 Wireless Airborne Intra Communications (WAIC) Joint Plenary with EUROCAE WG-96.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Dassault Aviation (Dassault) Model Falcon 900EX airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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.

This action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Northeast Iowa Regional Airport, Charles City, IA. This action is required due to the decommissioning of the Charles City non-directional radio beacon (NDB), and the cancellation of the associated instrument approach procedures. Additionally, the name of the airport is being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database. This action enhances the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that certain lanyards for the passenger oxygen masks located in the airplane's entry area are too long. This proposed AD would require replacement of certain oxygen mask lanyards with shorter lanyards. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, and 205A-1 helicopters with a Helicopter Technology Company (HTC) main rotor (M/R) blade installed. This AD requires cleaning and visually inspecting the M/R blades, and depending on the outcome of the inspection, repairing or replacing the M/R blades. This AD is prompted by a report of an M/R blade with a fatigue crack in the grip plate and doublers at the blade retention bolt hole. The actions of this AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Model TH-1F, UH-1B, UH-1F, UH-1H, and UH-1P helicopters with a Helicopter Technology Company (HTC) main rotor (M/R) blade installed. This AD requires cleaning and visually inspecting the M/R blades and, depending on the outcome of the inspection, repairing or replacing the M/R blades. This AD is prompted by a report of an M/R blade with a fatigue crack in the grip plate and doublers at the blade retention bolt hole. The actions of this AD are intended to correct an unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Aerospace Welding Minneapolis, Inc. mufflers, part numbers A1754001-23 and A1754001-25, installed on airplanes. This AD was prompted by occurrences of cracks or broken welds in the connecting weld of the muffler body to muffler cuff that may allow carbon monoxide exhaust fumes into the cockpit heating system. This AD requires an inspection of the muffler for leaking to identify cracks and replacement of the muffler. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Dassault Aviation (Dassault) Model Falcon 5X airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A330- 841 and A330-941 New Engine Option (A330neo) 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 a high-incidence protection system that limits the angle of attack (AOA) at which the airplane can be flown during normal low-speed operations, and that the flightcrew cannot override. 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.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-08- 09 for DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500MB gliders that are equipped with a Solo 2625 02 engine modified with a fuel injection system following the instructions of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (TM)/Service Bulletin (SB) 4600-3 ``Fuel Injection System'' and identified as Solo 2625 02i. 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 the potential of an in-flight shut-down and engine fire due to failure of the connecting stud for the two fuel injector mounts of the engine redundancy system on gliders equipped with a Solo 2625 02i engine. This proposed AD adds the DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG- 1000M glider equipped with Solo 2625 02i engines to the applicability. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus 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) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a revision of certain airworthiness limitation item (ALI) documents, which require more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to remove Class E surface airspace at Mid-State Airport, as the airport no longer qualifies for surface airspace. Also, this action proposes to remove Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Philipsburg Area Hospital Heliport, as the Hospital has closed. Controlled airspace redesign is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at Mid-State Airport.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-14-10, which applied to certain Airbus Model A330-342 airplanes. AD 2011-14-10 required repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracks of a certain fuselage frame at the fastener hole area just above a certain stringer, and repair, if necessary. This new AD was prompted by a new fatigue and damage tolerance evaluation, which showed that certain inspection thresholds and intervals need to be shorter. This AD requires contacting the FAA to obtain instructions for addressing the unsafe condition on these products, and doing the actions specified in those instructions. 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 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 proposed 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 proposed AD would require modifying the holes of the upper cleat to upper stringer attachments at certain areas of the left- and right-hand wings. We are proposing 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, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking in the frame outboard chord and in the radius of the auxiliary chord at a certain area. This AD requires inspections to detect this cracking, and corrective action if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the time of designation for restricted area R-4403A, Stennis Space Center, MS, from ``Intermittent, 1000 to 0300 local time, as activated by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance,'' to ``Intermittent by NOTAM at least 24 hours in advance.'' The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) requested the change to meet requirements of the Space Launch System (SLS) Core Stage test program.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Twenty Eighth RTCA SC-222 AMS(R)S Systems Plenary.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-07- 10, which applies to certain American Champion Aircraft Corp. (ACAC) Model 8KCAB airplanes. AD 2017-07-10 requires fabrication and installation of a placard to prohibit aerobatic flight, inspection of the aileron hinge rib and support, and a reporting requirement of the inspection results to the FAA. This AD was prompted by a report of a cracked hinge support and cracked hinge ribs, which resulted in partial loss of control with the aileron binding against the cove. Since we issued AD 2017-07-10, ACAC redesigned the aileron hinge supports with a reinforcement kit to strengthen the supports and prevent future damage from developing. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the aileron hinge support, installation of the aileron hinge support reinforcement kit, and incorporation of revised pages into the service manual. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is correcting a final rule published on February 21, 2014. In that rule, the FAA amended its regulations to improve safety in helicopter air ambulance and commercial helicopter operations. This document removes an incorrect cross-reference and makes corresponding revisions.