Federal Aviation Administration April 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a potential quality issue in the fuel pump that includes a locking key of the impeller drive shaft found loose in the cavity under the impeller. This AD requires replacement of affected fuel pumps, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-25-01 which applies to certain Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Models AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. AD 2003-25-01 requires modifying and re- identifying the hoist operator control unit and replacing certain fuses. Since the FAA issued AD 2003-25-01, Airbus Helicopters has identified multiple errors in the applicable service information for the AS350-series and AS355-series helicopters. This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2003-25-01, revise the applicability, and propose to require using the corrected service information. This proposed AD would also require reporting certain information and prohibit the installation of an affected hoist until the required actions are accomplished. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace and to revoke Class E airspace at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Cape Girardeau, MO. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Marion VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The name of the localizer would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. As published, two references to a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD number specified in the regulatory text are incorrect. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a proposal from the County of Jackson Airport Director to change certain portions of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, Medford, Oregon. The proposal consists of portions of certain parcels on the northeast and southeast parts of the airfield.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a design review that identified rib 0 of the center wing box (CWB) as an area where a single failure of a clamshell type refuel/defuel line coupling could lead to the accumulation of dangerous levels of electrostatic charges within the fuel tank. This proposed AD would require replacing the clamshell type refuel/defuel line coupling in the CWB at rib 0 with a threaded type fuel coupling, and installing an additional support bracket and clamp in the CWB at rib 0, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-271N, A321-211, and A321-271N airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of missing overhead stowage compartment (OHSC) X-fixation brackets or brackets that were incorrectly installed during assembly. This AD requires a special detailed inspection of the OHSC X-fixation brackets for missing or incorrectly installed brackets, and installation or replacement the OHSC X-fixation brackets if necessary; or modification of each OHSC; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK 117 A-1, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of sudden severe vibrations and a cracked open blade trailing edge caused by a loosened lead inner weight. This proposed AD would require inspections to determine if any bolted main rotor blades are installed, and replacement of the affected main rotor blades. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD was prompted by the determination that a new life limit was necessary for certain tail rotor blades (TRBs). This AD requires replacing certain TRBs, re-identifying certain TRBs, and repairing certain other TRBs, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Austro Engine GmbH E4 and E4P model diesel piston engines. This AD was prompted by reports of an oil pump blockage on E4 model diesel piston engines. This AD requires replacing a certain oil pump as well as the oil filter and engine oil. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes a Class E airspace area extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface over the State of North Dakota and removes the enroute domestic airspace areas at Harvey and Linton, ND. This action is at the request of Salt Lake Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Minneapolis ARTCC to simplify and close gaps in the existing class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface over the State of North Dakota; provide transitional airspace to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations to and from the terminal and enroute environments within the state; and to improve air traffic control services over the state of North Dakota.

This action proposes to modify three existing high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes (Q-routes), and establish one new Q- route, in support of the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Route (NEC ACR) Project. This proposal would improve the efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) by expanding the availability of RNAV routing and reducing the dependency on ground-based navigational systems.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Uninsured United Parachute Technologies, LLC (UPT) parachutes. This AD results from reserve pin covers (RPCs) catching on the parachute container flaps and preventing the reserve parachute from deploying. This AD requires modifying the RPC before the next parachute jump and replacing the RPC at the next reserve parachute packing. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-04-15 for all Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-3A, JT9D-7, JT9D-7A, JT9D-7AH, JT9D- 7F, JT9D-7H, JT9D-7J, JT9D-7Q, JT9D-7Q3, JT9D-7R4D, JT9D-7R4D1, JT9D- 7R4E, JT9D-7R4E1, JT9D-7R4E4, JT9D-7R4G2, JT9D-7R4H1, JT9D-20, JT9D- 20J, JT9D-59A, and JT9D-70A (JT9D) model turbofan engines. AD 2012-04- 15 required revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part opportunity. AD 2012-04-15 also required additional revisions to the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA for JT9D model turbofan engines. This AD requires revising the required inspections of selected critical life-limited parts specified in the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA and, for air carriers, to the existing continuous airworthiness air carrier maintenance program (CAMP). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-12-13, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A320-212, -214, - 232, and -233 airplanes. AD 2017-12-13 requires repetitive low frequency eddy current inspections or repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections of the pocket radius at certain areas of the fuselage frame, and repair if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2017- 12-13, it was determined that cracks can initiate and develop between certain other fuselage frames of the pocket radii and additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require new repetitive inspections at the left- (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of the fuselage skin at certain frames for any cracking, and repair if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is proposed for incorporation by reference. 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 Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a yaw control failure that was the result of the disconnection of the tail rotor hub (TRH) pitch control rod from the tail rotor servo-control, which resulted from a seized TRH bearing. The TRH bearing had grease dissolving after contamination by leaked hydraulic fluid from the tail rotor servo-control that came through the TRH assembly boot. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for hydraulic leaks, corrective actions if necessary, and an optional modification which constitutes terminating action, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-15-12, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Trent 1000 model turbofan engines. AD 2020-15-12 requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic or visual inspections of the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) stage 1 rotor blade root (front face), IPC stage 2 rotor blade root (front and rear face), and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail post (front face), and removal of any cracked parts from service. AD 2020-15-12 also requires an inspection after asymmetric power and cabin depressurization events. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-15-12, the manufacturer introduced IPC stage 1 and stage 2 rotor blades in kitted sets, which terminate the need for initial and repetitive ultrasonic or visual inspections for certain IPC parts. This proposed AD would continue to require initial and repetitive ultrasonic or visual inspections of certain IPC parts until replacement of the IPC stage 1 and stage 2 rotor blades with redesigned IPC stage 1 and stage 2 rotor blades in kitted sets. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

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 January 29, 2021. The collection involves the gathering of information necessary for FAA to ensure proposed outdoor laser operations will not interfere with air traffic operations. The information to be collected will be used by FAA to evaluate proposed outdoor laser operations (e.g., laser light show, display, or device) requiring approval of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) variance.

This action establishes the FAA's policy applicable to waivers of FAA ground safety requirements for licensed commercial launch and reentry activities at certain Federal ranges. The Federal ranges that currently meet the criteria for application of this policy are: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Wallops Flight Facility, and Kennedy Space Center.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-06-10 for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (type certificate now held by Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron)) Model 76 airplanes. AD 97-06-10 required repetitively inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) ``A'' frame assemblies for cracks and replacing any cracked assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 97-06-10, the replacement parts have also experienced failure due to cracking. This AD requires magnetic particle inspections of the MLG ``A'' frame assemblies for cracks and replacement of the affected parts if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a welding quality issue has been identified in the gimbal joint of the air bleed duct located at each wing-to-pylon interface; the inner ring of a gimbal had deformed to an oval shape, which could lead to cracking caused by direct contact between metal parts. This AD requires replacing affected bleed duct assemblies and bleed gimbals at the wing-to-pylon interface with a serviceable part, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC- 10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes; and Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that an operator found a crack in the upper flange of the pylon aft bulkhead bracket. This AD requires a general visual inspection of the left and right wing pylon at the aft bulkhead bracket for any lockbolt and collar; repetitive surface and open hole eddy current high frequency (ETHF) inspections of the left and right wing pylon at the aft bulkhead bracket for any cracking; and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.