Federal Aviation Administration May 6, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes; and all Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fractured rudder primary feel unit shafts; a subsequent investigation determined that the fractures in the shafts are consistent with fatigue damage. This AD requires replacement of the rudder primary feel unit shaft. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action corrects a final rule published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2020, amending the Class D airspace at Joe Williams NOLF, Meridian, MS; Key Field, Meridian, MS; and NAS Meridian/ McCain Field, Meridian, MS; the Class E airspace area designated as an extension to Class D airspace at Key Field; and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Key Field, Joe Williams NOLF, and NAS Meridian/McCain Field. A cardinal direction was inadvertently omitted from the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Key Field. This action corrects that omission.

This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace and the Class E surface airspace at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, MO, and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, St. Louis, MO, Spirit of St. Louis Airport, and St. Charles County Smartt Airport, St. Charles, MO, which is contained within the St. Louis, MO, airspace legal description, and removing St. Louis Regional Airport, Alton/St. Louis, IL, which is contained within the St. Louis, MO, airspace legal description. The FAA is proposing these actions as the result of airspace reviews caused by the decommissioning of the Cardinal VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid, which provided navigation information for the instrument procedures at these airports, as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program; and the decommissioning of the outer markers for runways 12R, 24, and 30L at St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The names of St. Louis Lambert International Airport and the Spirit of St. Louis: RWY 25L-LOC would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the necessary sealant was not applied to the side of body (SOB) slot as a result of a production drawing that provided unclear SOB slot sealant application instructions. This proposed AD would require a general visual inspection for insufficient sealant in the SOB slot, and related investigative and corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -203, -223, -223F, -243, -243F, -302, -303, -323, -343, and -941 airplanes; and Model A340-313, -541, and -642 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the results of laboratory tests on non-rechargeable lithium batteries installed in emergency locator transmitters (ELT), which highlighted a lack of protection against currents of 28 volts DC or 115 volts AC that could lead to thermal runaway and a battery fire. This proposed AD would require modifying a certain ELT by installing a diode between the ELT and the terminal block, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.