Federal Aviation Administration September 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking on the radius of the rib 0 forward longeron at a certain frame. This AD requires a one-time inspection for defects of the radius, and repair 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 certain Airbus SAS Model A330-243, -302, -343, and -941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a certain aft bulkhead cover panel may have been made with a non-conforming material. This AD requires replacing the aft bulkhead cover panel and prohibits the installation of affected parts, 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 adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain THOMMEN AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AG (THOMMEN) AC32 Digital Air Data Computers. This proposed AD results from occurrences of AC32 Digital Air Data Computers (ADCs) that stop functioning below certain temperatures. This proposed AD would require replacing an affected AC32 Digital ADC with a serviceable part. 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 July 2, 2024. The collection involves operators or repair stations report any malfunctions and defects to the Administrator. The information collected allows the FAA to evaluate its certification standards, maintenance programs, and regulatory requirements. It is also the basis for issuance of Airworthiness Directives designed to prevent unsafe conditions and accidents.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by an engine compartment fire where the upper stiffener of the central firewall in the engine compartment was found damaged. This proposed AD would require replacing the aluminum central firewall stiffener with a titanium central firewall stiffener and prohibit installing an aluminum central firewall stiffener. These actions are specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, 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 SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an updated stress analysis on the forward (FWD) cargo door and its attachment piano hinges that revealed a risk of cracking and crack propagation on piano hinges 2 and 3, originating from opening-closing fatigue cycles of the FWD cargo door. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the affected parts, and applicable corrective actions, 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 is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to all Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, - 213, -231, -232, and -271N airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a determination that a damage-tolerance and fatigue reassessment of nose landing gear (NLG) repairs is necessary for certain parts fitted on airplanes approved for operation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The NPRM would have required repair and replacement of all affected parts, and would have limited installation of affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that the applicability as specified in the NPRM was incorrect; the FAA is issuing new rulemaking that corrects the applicability. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Transylvania Community Hospital, Brevard, NC, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures serving the heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this heliport.

This action proposes to establish Class D airspace and amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn, AL, as a new air traffic control tower will service the airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, -133, -151N, and -153N airplanes; A320 series airplanes; and A321-211, -212, -213, -231, -232, -251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, -251NX, - 252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that a damage-tolerance and fatigue reassessment of nose landing gear (NLG) repairs is necessary for certain parts fitted on airplanes approved for operation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This proposed AD would require repair and replacement of all affected parts, and introduces restrictions for the 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.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-13- 11, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2022-13-11 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for airplanes equipped with affected flight control units (FCUs) and replacing any affected FCU with a serviceable FCU. This AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent auto flight system (AFS) altitude changes on the FCU; an investigation revealed that, depending on the ring selection, failure of the ALT knob on the FCU could change the target altitude. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2022-13-11, including replacing any affected FCU with a serviceable FCU, expands the requirement to revise the existing AFM for all airplanes, and prohibits the installation of affected parts; 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-25- 07, which applied to certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 and EMB-545 airplanes. AD 2020-25-07 required repetitive inspections of the flight deck side windows for any cracking or delamination, corrective action if necessary, and eventual replacement of the windows. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-25-07, additional part numbers were added to the installation prohibition list. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2020-25-07, expands the list of affected parts, and prohibits the installation of affected parts, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) 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 Austro Engine GmbH (Austro) Model E4 and E4P engines. This AD was prompted by reports of engine failures and an investigation where cracks were discovered on the pistons. This AD requires repetitive borescope inspections (BSIs) for cracks on the pistons, and, if necessary, removal from service and replacement of the piston, and a fuel sample analysis for water contamination and, if contamination is found, replacement of the high-pressure pump (HPP), injectors, and fuel rails. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-26-16, which applies to certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-28-151, PA-28-161, PA-28-181, PA-28-235, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA- 28R-201, PA-28R-201T, PA-28RT-201, PA-28RT-201T, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T airplanes. AD 2020-26-16 requires calculating the factored service hours (FSH) for each main wing spar to determine when an inspection is required, inspecting the lower main wing spar bolt holes for crack(s), and replacing any cracked main wing spar. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-26-16, the FAA evaluated the reports required by AD 2020-26-16 and determined that repetitive inspections of the lower main wing spar bolt holes for crack(s) and non-crack damage (including deep scratches, gouges, and thread marks) and replacement or modification of the main wing spar should be required, calculated service hours (CSH) should be used instead of FSH to determine times for required actions for each main wing spar, and that certain airplanes should be removed from the applicability and a new airplane model added to the applicability. This proposed AD would require calculating the CSH for each main wing spar; repetitively inspecting the lower main wing spar bolt holes for crack(s) and non- crack damage and taking corrective actions as needed; and replacing or modifying main wing spars at a specified time. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability by removing certain airplanes and adding a new airplane model. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, FL (FLL), Class C airspace by subdividing the southwest corner of Area E to reduce the lateral boundary of the FLL Class C airspace by creating a new "Area H" southwest of the existing Area E with a floor of 2,600 feet mean sea level (MSL) and a ceiling of 4,000 feet MSL. The FAA is making this amendment to enhance safety and enable more efficient operations for non-participating aircraft operations at North Perry Airport, FL (HWO). Additionally, this action makes multiple minor editorial amendments to the airspace description.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace and establish Class E airspace at Flagstaff Pullman Airport, Flagstaff, AZ. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of a biennial airspace review. This action will bring the airspace into compliance with FAA orders and to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-13-10 and AD 2024-04-03, which apply to certain Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2023-13-10 and AD 2024- 04-03 require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-13-10 and AD 2024-04-03, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2023-13-10 and all actions in AD 2024-04-03 and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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.

This final rule incorporates various changes required by the United States Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act of 2015. This final rule provides regulatory clarity to applicants seeking licenses for space flight operations involving government astronauts by adding two new subparts to the human space flight regulations containing requirements for operators with government astronauts with and without safety-critical roles on board vehicles.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-28-236, PA-28-201T, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, PA-32RT-300T, PA-32-301FT, PA-32- 301XTC, PA-32R-301 (HP), PA-32R-301 (SP), PA-32R-301T, PA-32-301, and PA-32-301T airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a wing separation caused by fatigue cracking in a visually inaccessible area of the lower main wing spar cap and additional reports of fatigue cracking in the wing spars of airplanes that share common type design features. This proposed AD would require reviewing airplane maintenance records to determine if an eddy current inspection of the lower main wing spar bolt holes was done and, depending on the result, doing a one-time eddy current inspection of the lower wing spar bolt holes for crack(s), and replacing any cracked main wing spar. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a meeting of the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC).

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the request to release and sell a 0.46 acre parcel of federally obligated airport property at the Malden Regional Airport & Industrial Park (MAW), Malden, Missouri.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-25- 13, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes. AD 2009-25-13 required the deactivation of the left-hand (LH) baggage bay heater mat. Since the FAA issued AD 2009-25-13, Bombardier developed a new design solution for the potential uncontrolled heating of the baggage bay sidewall heater mat. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-25-13 and requires modifying the baggage bay sidewall interior panel, heater mat, and water tank heater installation, and doing functional testing. Upon the completion of the new actions, the retained requirements of AD 2009-25- 13 will terminate. This AD also revises the applicability. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-17- 02, which applied to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. AD 2021-17-02 required a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the wire bundles between the left- and right-hand angle of attack (AOA) probes and the crew alerting computer, and, depending on findings, applicable corrective actions. AD 2021-17-02 also required, for certain airplanes, modifying the captain stick shaker wiring, and for all airplanes, revising the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to incorporate procedures for the stick pusher/shaker. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-17-02, additional modification of the affected wiring for certain airplanes was developed. This AD retains all of the requirements of AD 2021-17-02 and requires installing a new AOA power supply unit and removing the AFM amendment; 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the electrical harnesses in the overhead bin above the class divider may have insufficient or no separation with the class divider mounting plate. This AD requires inspecting the overhead bin electrical harnesses at the class dividers and modifying the class divider mounting plate assembly or accomplishing a temporary repair if necessary; and, eventually modifying the class divider mounting plate assembly if a modification was not done after accomplishing the inspection, as specified in a Transport Canada AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.