Federal Aviation Administration September 22, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This AD was prompted by the identification of certain parts needing maintenance actions, including life limits and maintenance tasks. This AD requires incorporating into existing maintenance records requirements (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.

This action modifies restricted areas R-6501A and R-6501B, Underhill, VT, by amending the upper altitude limit of R-6501A and the lower altitude limit of R-6501B. Certain military activities near Underhill, VT, require restricted airspace that exceeds the current 4,000-foot mean sea level (MSL) upper altitude limit of R-6501A. As a result, R-6501B must be activated, along with R-6501A, to ensure containment of the hazardous activity. Raising the upper altitude limit of R-6501A from 4,000 feet MSL to but not including 4,900 feet MSL and the lower altitude limit of R-6501B from 4,000 feet MSL to 4,900 feet MSL, will result in more efficient use of airspace by reducing the need to activate R-6501B. This modification is fully contained within the existing lateral and vertical limits of R-6501A and B. The activities conducted in these restricted airspace areas are unchanged.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-26- 08, which applied to all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. AD 2016-26-08 required incorporating revisions into the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the maintenance program and inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) attachment bolts for cracks and corrosion. Since the FAA issued AD 2016-26-08, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to add a new life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and then superseded it again to add new life limits for the rudder bellcrank. This AD requires incorporating new revisions to the ALS of the existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to establish a 5-year life limit for certain MLG actuator bottom attachment bolts and new life limits for the rudder bellcrank. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-19- 20, which applied to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2021-19-20 required amending the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate a check and an operating limitation regarding the O2 saver function. This AD was prompted by reports of defects that may prevent efficient deactivation of the O2 saver function of crew oxygen masks and a determination that the AFM amendment required by AD 2021-19-20 may not be sufficient to mitigate the risk. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2021-19-20 and also requires physical deactivation of the O2 saver function, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also limits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions. 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 certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that during regular pre-flight checks multiple door assist handles failed by pulling loose from their lower attachment point in the doorway support bracket. This proposed AD would require, depending on airplane configuration, doing an inspection of the forward and aft door assist handles for correct installation, installing a new retainer above the lower keyway of the support bracket assembly at certain locations, installing a placard on certain support bracket assemblies, reidentifying the support bracket assembly, and replacing the upper spring clip. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.