Federal Aviation Administration 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to establish seven Area Navigation Instrument Flight Rules Terminal Transition Routes (RITTR) in the Jacksonville, FL, terminal area. RITTRs are low altitude Air Traffic Service routes, based on Area Navigation (RNAV), for use by aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR)-approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The purpose of RITTR is to expedite the handling of IFR overflight aircraft through busy terminal airspace areas. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace in the Jacksonville, FL, terminal area. This proposed rulemaking action was originally published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2005 (70 FR 38053). On that date, the proposal was listed in the table of contents under Proposed Rules, ``Class E airspace,'' rather than ``Area navigation routes.'' Following the close of the comment period, the FAA was contacted by an aviation organization stating that they had not seen the NPRM for this action and desired to submit comments. It was determined that no comments had been received during the comment period. Therefore, the FAA has decided to reopen the comment period for 30 days to provide an additional opportunity for any similarly affected parties to submit comments.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B2 series airplanes, A300 B4-103 and B4- 203 airplanes, and Model A310-203 airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection for missing or incorrect rivets in the entire structural area affected by conversion from passenger to freight configuration, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of rivets missing from the passenger-to-freight converted area. We are proposing this AD to prevent structural failure of the main deck and main deck cargo door areas.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require drilling a drain hole in the flanged tubes for the E1A and E1B elevator control cable aft pressure seals; doing repetitive inspections for dirt, loose particles, or blockage of the flanged tube and drain hole for the E1A and E1B elevator control cable aft pressure seals and corrective action if necessary; replacing the aft air-intake duct assembly with a new or modified aft air-intake duct assembly and installing a dripshield; and modifying the side brace fittings and installing gutters on the horizontal stabilizer center section. This proposed AD results from reports of stiff operation of the elevator pitch control system and jammed elevator controls. We are proposing this AD to prevent moisture from collecting and freezing on the elevator control system components, which could limit the ability of the flightcrew to make elevator control inputs and result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes; A320- 111 airplanes; A320-200 series airplanes; and A321-100 and A321-200 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the horizontal hinge pin of the 103VU electrical panel in the avionics compartment to determine if the hinge pin can move out of the hinge, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report indicating that electrical wire damage was found in the 103VU electrical panel due to contact between the hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness. We are proposing this AD to prevent contact between the horizontal hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness, which could result in damage to electrical wires, and consequent arcing and/or failure of associated systems.

This notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to discuss transport airplane and engine (TAE) issues.

This action proposes to establish 16 high altitude area navigation (RNAV) routes in the South Central United States to support the High Altitude Redesign (HAR) program. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Dodge City Regional Airport, KS.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Norfolk, NE.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) GTSIO-520 series reciprocating engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of the starter adapter assembly and crankshaft gear. This AD also requires unscheduled visual inspections of the starter adapter assembly and crankshaft gear due to a rough-running engine. This AD also requires replacement of the starter adapter shaft gear needle bearing with a certain bushing. Also, this AD requires installation of a certain TCM service kit at the next engine overhaul, or at the next starter adapter replacement, whichever occurs first. This AD results from six service difficulty reports and one fatal accident report received related to failed starter adapter assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the starter adapter assembly and or crankshaft gear, resulting in failure of the engine and possible forced landing.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the intercostal webs, attachment clips, and stringer splice channels for cracks; and corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by reports of fatigue cracks on several Boeing Model 737-200 series airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the intercostals on the forward and aft sides of the forward entry door, which could result in loss of the forward entry door and rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive eddy current inspections for cracks of the countersunk rivet holes in the lower lobe, adjacent to the radio altimeter cutouts; additional inspections, for certain airplanes, for cracks and/or corrosion; and further investigative and corrective action if any crack is found. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from reports of cracks in the fuselage skin of the lower lobe. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks of the countersunk rivet holes, which could result in cracks of the fuselage skin of the lower lobe, and consequent rapid depressurization of the cabin.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model ATP airplanes and Model HS 748 airplanes. This AD requires doing a detailed inspection of the drain pipes of the fuel cross feed system and certain electrical cables for chafe damage; doing an inspection to determine the clearance between the cable loom and the cross feed drain pipe; and doing corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a fire in the dry area of the wing due to severe chafe damage between an electrical cable and the fuel cross feed drain pipe. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafe damage of the electrical cable and fuel cross feed drain pipe that could lead to fuel leakage from the drain pipe and an ignition source from the electrical cable, which could result in a fire in the dry area of the airplane wing.

The FAA proposes to supersede two existing airworthiness directives (ADs), one AD applicable to all Boeing Model 747 airplanes and the other AD applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The first AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the horizontal stabilizer center section and the rear spar upper chord, and repair if necessary. The other AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and the rear spar structure, hinge fittings, terminal fittings, and splice plates; and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would add, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for cracking of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and repair if necessary. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would add a detailed inspection to determine the type of fasteners, related investigative actions, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD also would revise the compliance times for certain inspections and add alternate inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the center section and rear spar upper chord. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracking in the outboard and center section of the aft upper skin of the horizontal stabilizer, the rear spar chord, rear spar web, terminal fittings, and splice plates; and a report of fractured and cracked steel fasteners. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct this cracking, which could lead to reduced structural capability of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and could result in loss of control of the airplane.

This notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aging Transport Systems Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ATSRAC).

This action corrects an error in the airspace description contained in a Final Rule that was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 (70 FR 53917). Airspace Docket No. 05-AAL- 16.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure map for Portland International Jetport, as submitted by the City of Portland, Maine under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) and 14 CFR part 150, is in compliance with applicable requirements. The FAA also announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for Portland International Jetport under part 150 in conjunction with the noise exposure map, and that this program will be approved or disapproved on or before March 8, 2006.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would require an initial ultrasonic inspection for cracks of the studbolts of the inboard and outboard hinge fittings of the left and right outboard flaps of the wings. Based on the inspection results, this proposed AD would also require doing repetitive ultrasonic inspections, replacing upper and/or lower studbolts with new or serviceable studbolts, doing a detailed inspection for corrosion of the upper studbolts, doing a magnetic particle inspection for cracks of studbolts, and changing the protection treatment; as applicable. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of corrosion and failures of the upper and lower studbolts of the outboard flaps inboard and outboard hinge fittings. We are proposing this AD to prevent corrosion and subsequent cracking of studbolts, which could result in failure of the flap hinge fittings and their possible separation from the wing rear spar, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the eight aft-most fastener holes in the horizontal tangs of the midspar fitting of the strut, and corrective actions if necessary. That AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD adds repetitive inspections for cracks of the closeout angle that covers the two aft-most fasteners in the lower tang of the midspar fitting, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also reduces the inspection interval of the upper tang of the outboard midspar fitting; and provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report of a crack in a closeout angle that covers the two aft-most fasteners in the lower tang of the midspar fitting; and the discovery of a crack in the lower tang of the midspar fitting under the cracked closeout angle. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking in the primary strut structure and reduced structural integrity of the strut, which could result in separation of the strut and engine.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-202, -223, -243, and -343 airplanes; and certain Model A340-313 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the attachment bolts of the windshield central retainer, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that, during production, the windshield central retainer may have been installed with attachment bolts that were too short, which prevented the thread of the bolt from fully engaging in the self-locking nut. We are issuing this AD to prevent loosened attachment bolts, which could result in loss of the windshield and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

This action corrects an error in the effective date contained in a Final Rule that was published in the Federal Register on September 1, 2005 (70 FR 52012). That Final Rule amended Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71 relating to airspace designations to reflect the approval by the Director of the Federal Register of the incorporation by reference of FHA Order 7400.9N, Airspace Designations and Reporting Points.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that the FAA has prepared and approved on September 8, 2005, a Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) based on the Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) for the following proposed action at the St. Louis Downtown Airport: the construction of a new Air Traffic Control Tower, associated support building, parking lot, and access road. The FAA prepared the Final EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the FAA's regulations and guidelines for environmental documents. The Final EA was reviewed and evaluated by the FAA and was accepted on September 6, 2005 as a Federal document by the FAA's Responsible Federal Official.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Government/Industry Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 206: Aeronautical Information Services Data Link.

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

The FAA proposes to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect wear or damage of the door latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments, and replacement of any discrepant component with a new component. This proposed AD would revise the applicability of the existing AD to refer to a later revision of the referenced service bulletin, which removes airplanes that are not subject to the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD results from reports of worn and damaged door latches and disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments. We are proposing this AD to ensure deployment of an escape slide during an emergency evacuation. Non-deployment of an escape slide during an emergency could slow down the evacuation of the airplane and result in injury to passengers or flightcrew. We are also proposing this AD to detect damaged disconnect housings in the off-wing escape slide compartments, which could result in unexpected deployment of an escape slide during maintenance, and consequent injury to maintenance personnel.