Federal Aviation Administration September 15, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating cracking in fastener holes at the center wing box and at certain positions of the rear spar and lower skin on a Model 737-300 airplane. A cross model review determined that similar cracking of the fastener holes in the center wing box lower skin could occur on Model 707 and Model 727 airplanes. For Model 707 airplanes this proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of the center wing box lower skin for cracking and repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) and ultrasonic (UT) inspections of the rear spar lower chord at a certain position for cracking, repetitive sealant application, and repair if necessary. For Model 727 airplanes this proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of the center wing box, lower skin, and rear spar lower chord at a certain location for cracking, repetitive sealant application, and repair if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-10-04, which applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD- 81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes. AD 2007-10-04 requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in the horizontal stabilizer, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2007-10-04, it has been determined that certain compliance times and repetitive intervals must be reduced to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD continues to require the actions specified in AD 2007-10-04 with revised compliance times for certain actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice is directed to airport sponsors, consultants, and other stakeholders regarding a proposed update of the FAA policy and practice regarding processing land use changes on federally acquired or federally conveyed airport land. The updated policy confirms and clarifies the appropriate methods to document FAA's review and approval or consent for such changes, in light of amendments made by Section 163 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. This policy clarifies: When reviewing proposed land use changes on federally acquired or federally conveyed airport land, the FAA will review the proposal in its entirety without individually examining components of the proposal as aeronautical or non-aeronautical; a letter of approval or consent is required for a non-aeronautical use or mixed use and the approval or consent will remain in effect for the duration of the lease term; the determination of whether the non-aeronautical use is significant will be based on the primary use of the project; FAA will only release Federal obligations when the airport sponsor proposes the sale or conveyance of federally acquired or federally conveyed airport land that meets FAA release requirements; and, FAA letters of approval or consent and releases will be documented on an airport's Exhibit A in accordance with the ARP SOP 3.00FAA Review of Exhibit `A' Airport Property Inventory Maps. This policy should be used in conjunction with FAA Order 5190.6, Airport Compliance Manual, Chapter 22, Releases from Federal Obligations; and FAA Order 5100.38, Airport Improvement Handbook; and any related policy implemented in conjunction and complementary with Airports Planning and Programming (APP) guidance. Additionally, compliance specialists will consult with FAA Environmental Protection Specialists to determine what, if any, environmental obligations under relevant statutes or regulations may apply to specific land use changes at specific airports.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFM International, S.A. (CFM) LEAP-1B model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by multiple commanded in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs) due to inner radial drive shaft (RDS) failure. This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of the transfer gearbox (TGB) scavenge screens and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement or rework of the affected inner RDS. As a mandatory terminating action to the initial and repetitive inspections of the TGB scavenge screens, this AD requires replacement or rework of the affected inner RDS. This AD also prohibits the installation of an engine with an affected inner RDS onto an airplane that already has one engine with an affected inner RDS installed. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-19- 13, AD 2018-24-04, and AD 2019-23-02, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series, A330-200 Freighter series, and A330-300 series airplanes. ADs 2017-19-13, 2018-24-04, and 2019-23-02 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2019-23-02, adds airplanes to the applicability, and requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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 certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-2A12 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the baggage bay line fire extinguishing tube assembly might not have been installed with the correct torque. This AD requires re-torqueing the baggage bay line fire extinguishing tube assembly to the correct torque values, and applying corrosion inhibiting compound on the discharge tubes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam S.P.A. (Tecnam) Model P2006T airplanes. This 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. This AD requires performing a detailed visual inspection (DVI) of the aileron control assembly, repairing the aileron control assembly if any crack or damage (including missing paint, nicks, or scrapes) is found, measuring the length of the screws installed on the ceiling cover panel, and replacing the screws if found to be of excessive length. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.