Federal Aviation Administration November 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and A350-1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that in the event of rapid decompression at a specific location of the airplane, possible deflections of the passenger floor cross beams may result in wiring damages, leading to potential system losses. This AD requires amending the operator's existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to update the landing performance database, 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 Bell Textron Inc., Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 210, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters; certain Erickson 214 Holdings, LLC, Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters; certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB412 and AB412 EP helicopters; and certain various restricted category helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of two in-service failures of forward crosstubes due to fatigue damage and the issuance of newly established life limits. This AD requires determining the total number of landings on certain part-numbered forward crosstubes and incorporating requirements (airworthiness limitations) into existing maintenance records. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Foothills Regional Airport, Morganton, NC, by updating the airport's name and geographic coordinates. Additionally, the geographic coordinates of Fiddlers NDB would be updated. Also, Grace Hospital would be removed from the descriptor, as all instrument approaches into the hospital have been canceled. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Eagle Lake, TX. This action is due to an airspace review conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Eagle Lake very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program. The geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This notice announces a meeting of the Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee (REDAC).

The FAA is withdrawing the NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 25, 2021, proposing to establish RNAV route T-384 in the vicinity of Eagle, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. Subsequent to the NPRM, the FAA determined during a flight check inspection that reliable and continuous two-way VHF communications are not possible on the proposed route and withdrawal of the NPRM is warranted.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Carrington, ND; Cooperstown, ND; Harvey, ND; Rolla, ND; and Walhalla, ND. The FAA is proposing this action due to airspace reviews conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Devils Lake very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program. The name of Rolla Municipal Airport/ Leonard Krech Field, Rolla, ND, would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Hannibal, MO; Monroe City, MO; and Monticello, MO. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of airspace reviews conducted as part of the decommissioning of the Quincy very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program. The name of CPT Ben Smith Airfield-Monroe City Airport, Monroe City, MO, would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80E1A2, CF6-80E1A3, CF6- 80E1A4, and CF6-80E1A4/B model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed that certain compressor discharge pressure seals (CDP seals) and forward outer seals were manufactured from powder metal material suspected to contain iron inclusion. This proposed AD would require the replacement of the affected CDP seals and forward outer seals. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On October 11, 2022, the FAA published a final rule titled ``Update to Investigative and Enforcement Procedures and Part 11; Technical Amendments.'' That document made technical amendments to the Update to Investigative and Enforcement Procedures final rule, which was published on October 1, 2021. The technical amendments rule inadvertently identified the Rulemaking Identification Number (RIN).

This action proposes to amend Class D airspace, Class E surface airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greer, SC areas due to the decommissioning of the Fairmont non-directional beacon (NDB) and cancellation of associated approaches into Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport/Simpson Field, as well as updating the airport's name and geographic coordinates. Additionally, Greenville Spartanburg International Airport, Greenville Downtown Airport, and Donaldson Field Airport each require the name and geographic coordinate updates, as well as airspace updates. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of potential foreign object debris (FOD) contamination of the thermal relief valve (TRV). This proposed AD would require replacement of affected auxiliary power unit (APU) low pressure (LP) shut-off valves (SOVs), an inspection to detect fuel leaks of affected engine LP SOVs and APU isolation shut-off valves (ISOVs), and applicable corrective actions, and would prohibit installation of affected parts, 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.

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 May 10, 2022. The collection involves FAA review of Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification Training Program (CTP) submittals to determine that the program complies with the applicable requirements. It also involves FAA review of an institution of higher education's application for the authority to certify its graduates meet the minimum regulatory requirements.

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 April 5, 2022. The collection involves requirements necessary to ensure safety-of-flight by ensuring that complete and adequate training, testing, checking, and experience is obtained and maintained by those who operate under certain parts of FAA's regulations and use flight simulation in lieu of aircraft for these functions.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Viking Air Limited (Viking) (type certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc. and de Havilland, Inc.) Model DHC-3 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a recent investigation of a Viking Model DHC-3 airplane where the lock ring of the stabilizer actuator was found missing. This AD requires a visual inspection of the stabilizer actuator to confirm that the stabilizer actuator lock ring is present, correctly seated in the groove in the upper housing, and engaged in the clamp nut, applicable corrective actions, and application of a torque seal. This AD also requires sending the inspection results to the FAA. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action corrects a final rule published by the FAA in the Federal Register on October 24, 2022, that amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-269 in the vicinity of Yakutat, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska. The final rule identified the KATAT, AK, route point as a waypoint (WP), in error. This action makes an editorial correction to the reference of the KATAT, AK, WP to change it to be reflected as a Fix and match the FAA's aeronautical database information.

This action amends the Class E airspace at Duluth, MN. This action supports new public instrument procedures. The geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-03-13, which applies to certain General Electric Company (GE) CT7- 5A2, CT7-5A3, CT7-7A, CT7-7A1, CT7-9B, CT7-9B1, CT7-9B2, CT7-9C, and CT7-9C3 model turboprop engines. AD 2018-03-13 requires initial and repetitive visual inspections and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) of the main propeller shaft. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-03-13, the manufacturer detected two additional cracks on a main propeller shaft during its ongoing investigation and subsequently published service information that introduced reduced inspection thresholds for initial and repetitive visual inspections, FPIs, and added initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections (USIs) of the main propeller shaft. Additionally, the manufacturer revised the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the maintenance manual (MM) to incorporate initial and repetitive USIs to inspect for cracks on the main propeller shaft. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive visual inspections, FPIs, and USIs of the main propeller shaft. Depending on the results of these inspections, this proposed AD would require replacement of the main propeller shaft. As an optional terminating action to these inspections, this proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing MM and the operator's existing approved maintenance program or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the tasks and reduced inspection thresholds for the main propeller shaft. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 May 13, 2022. The collection involves the voluntary submission of responses to survey questions. The information is collected from holders of FAA production approvals and selected suppliers and provides them an opportunity to offer their input on how well the agency is performing the administration and conduct of the Aircraft Certification Systems Quality System Audit (QSA). The information to be collected will be used to promote continuous improvement initiatives and industry dialog in the FAA oversight process.

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 May 18, 2022. The information collection is reported voluntarily by those who wish to report suspected unapproved parts (SUP) to the FAA for review. The information is used to determine if an unapproved part investigation is warranted.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-23-17 for all Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG (Hoffmann) model HO-V 72 propellers. AD 2021-23-17 required amending the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) by inserting abnormal propeller vibration instructions, visual inspection and non-destructive test (NDT) inspection of the propeller hub and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the propeller hub with a part eligible for installation. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-23-17, further investigation by the manufacturer revealed that cracks found on propeller hubs likely resulted from propeller blade retention nuts that were not tightened using published service information during blade installation. This AD is prompted by reports of cracks at different positions on two affected propeller hubs. This AD retains the required actions of AD 2021-23-17. This AD also requires a maintenance records review and, depending on the results of the maintenance records review, tightening of each propeller blade retention nut to specific torque values. Depending on the results of the maintenance records review, this AD requires physically inspecting the propeller blade for shake. If any axial play is detected during the performance of the inspection, this AD requires the removal of the propeller from service and the performance of an NDT inspection of the propeller hub, and depending on the NDT inspection results, replacement of the propeller hub with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.