Federal Aviation Administration June 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the RTCA Program Management Committee.

This notice proposes to modify the Class E airspace area of Half Moon Bay, CA. The establishment of an Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Z Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) to Runway (RWY) 30 at Half Moon Bay Airport, Half Moon Bay, CA has made this proposal necessary. Additional controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth is needed to contain aircraft executing the RNAV (GPS) Z IAP to RWY 30 at Half Moon Bay Airport. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide adequate controlled airspace for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Half Moon Bay Airport, Half Moon Bay, CA.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at City-County Airport under the provisions of section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21), now 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

This amendment establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and/or Weather Takeoff Minimums for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, addition of new obstacles, or changes in air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA proposes to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, and - 800 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting/ measuring the length of the attachment fasteners between the nacelle support fittings and the lower wing skin panels, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would correct errors found in the existing AD. This proposed AD results from detection of those inadvertent errors. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadequate fastener clamp-up, which could result in cracking of the fastener holes, cracking along the lower wing skin panels, fuel leaking from the wing fuel tanks onto the engines, and possible fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is giving notice that a portion of the airport property containing 16.6 acres located across the Waupaca River from the airport and is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. This parcel was originally purchased as part of a larger City purchase in December 1944. The parcel is presently open and undeveloped. The land comprising this parcel is, therefore, no longer needed for aeronautical purposes. Income from the sale will be used to improve the airport. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The FAA proposes to amend the regulations governing objects that may affect the navigable airspace. Specifically, the FAA is proposing to add notification requirements and obstruction standards for electromagnetic interference and amend the obstruction standards for civil airport imaginary surfaces to more closely align these standards with FAA airport design and instrument approach procedure criteria. The FAA proposes to require proponents to file with the agency a notice of proposed construction or alteration of structures near private use airports that have an FAA approved instrument approach procedure. This proposal, if adopted, would also increase the number of days in which a notice must be filed with the FAA before beginning construction or alteration; add and amend definitions for terms commonly used during the aeronautical evaluation process; and remove the provisions for public hearings and antenna farms. Lastly, the FAA proposes to retitle the rule and reformat it into sections that closely reflect the aeronautical study process. These proposals incorporate case law and legislative action, and simplify the rule language. The intended effect of these proposed changes is to improve safety and promote the efficient use of the National Airspace System.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This AD requires certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This AD results from a report that, during structural testing of the cockpit door, the lower hinge block rotated and caused the mating hinge pin to disengage, and caused excessive door deflection. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a door attachment, which could result in uncontrolled release of the cockpit door under certain fuselage decompression conditions, and possible damage to the airplane structure.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hamilton Sundstrand model 14RF-19 propellers. This AD requires replacing certain actuator yokes with improved actuator yokes. This AD results from certain propeller system actuator yoke arms breaking during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent actuator yoke arms breaking during flight, which could cause high propeller vibration and contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in Gear Rib 5 of the main landing gear (MLG) attachment fittings at the lower flange, and repair, if necessary. That AD also requires modification of Gear Rib 5 of the MLG attachment fittings, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires new repetitive inspections at reduced compliance times. This new AD also requires new repetitive inspections of certain areas of the attachment fittings that were repaired in accordance with the actions specified in the existing AD. This AD results from new service information that was issued by the manufacturer and mandated by the French airworthiness authority. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the MLG attachment fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time inspection to determine the serial number of both main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes, repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the affected MLG sliding tubes, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would retain these inspections and add new repetitive inspections for cracking of the MLG sliding tubes. This proposed AD would also require eventual replacement of both MLG shock absorbers. Doing this replacement would terminate the repetitive inspection requirements of this proposed AD. This proposed AD results from a determination that additional inspections and mandatory replacement of the MLG shock absorbers are necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in an MLG sliding tube, which could result in failure of the sliding tube, loss of one axle, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace at St. Joseph Medical Center, Towson, Maryland. The development of an Area Navigation (RNAV), Standard instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) and Helicopter RNAV (GPS) 269 approach for the St. Joseph Medical Center to serve flights operating into the airport during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions makes this action necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing an approach. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace at Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre, PA. The development of an Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) and Helicopter RNAV (GPS) 135 approach for the Robert Packer Hospital to serve flights operating into the airport during Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions makes this action necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing an approach. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 18, 2006, page 2982.

The FAA's Aircraft Certification Service publishes proposed non-regulatory documents that are available for public comment on the Internet at https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draftdocs/.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC130 B4 helicopters. This action requires inspecting the throttle twist grip (twist grip) assembly for any foreign body (chip or debris), any rotating micro-switch, and any micro-switch roller that does not move freely. If any unairworthy condition is found, this action requires that it be corrected before further flight. This amendment is prompted by two reports of a twist grip assembly jamming in the ``IDLE'' position. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and prevent jamming of the twist grip assembly, which, if present, could keep the engine from operating above idle speed and result in subsequent loss of control of the engine power of the helicopter.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the support bracket of the crew oxygen cylinder installation to determine the manufacturing date marked on the support, and performing corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that certain oxygen cylinder supports may not have been properly heat-treated. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the oxygen cylinder support under the most critical flight load conditions, which could cause the oxygen cylinder to come loose and leak oxygen. Leakage of oxygen could result in oxygen being unavailable for the flightcrew or could result in a fire hazard in the vicinity of the leakage.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 747-100 and -200 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the station 800 frame assembly, and repair if necessary. This new AD retains the repetitive inspection requirements of the existing AD, but expands the area to be inspected. This AD also reduces the initial inspection threshold, removes the adjustment of the compliance threshold and repetitive interval based on cabin differential pressure, and adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD results from several reports of cracks of the station 800 frame assembly on airplanes that had accumulated fewer total flight cycles than the initial inspection threshold in the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks that could extend and fully sever the frame, which could result in development of skin cracks that could lead to rapid depressurization of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the fuel shutoff valve wires and conduit assemblies in the left and right engine strut aft fairing areas. This AD results from a report that an operator discovered many small chafe marks and exposed shield braid on fuel shutoff wires routed through a conduit in the wing. We are issuing this AD to prevent exposed wires that could provide an ignition source in a flammable leakage zone and possibly lead to an uncontrolled fire or explosion.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, PW4090-3, and PW4098 turbofan engines, with certain front turbine hub part numbers installed. This proposed AD would require a onetime visual inspection of the anti-rotation slots in the front turbine hub, for a machining nonconformance, and its replacement if the inspection failed. This proposed AD results from a report of a crack found in an anti- rotation slot of a front turbine hub, during overhaul shop inspection. The anti-rotation slot geometry was not machined in conformance with the design drawing. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure, damage to the airplane, and injury to passengers.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the airplane and the engine/nacelle to install a third line of defense against inadvertent deployment of the thrust reverser in flight. This proposed AD would also require two other actions that must be accomplished before or concurrently with the modification: installing a structural change in the fan cowl to avoid interference; and installing a dedicated, shielded electrical circuit. This proposed AD results from a report that the manufacturer has developed a third line of defense against the inadvertent deployment of the thrust reverser of A300 airplanes that are equipped with General Electric CF6- 50 series engines (in accordance with FAA guidelines). We are proposing this AD to prevent inadvertent deployment of the thrust reverser in flight, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, DHC-8-300, and DHC- 8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the left and right control column torque tube assemblies to determine the type of rivets installed and replacing incorrect or indeterminate type rivets with the correct type rivets. This proposed AD results from a report that incorrect rivets having lower than required strength were installed on the control column torque tube during production. We are proposing this AD to prevent shear failure of control column torque tube rivets, which could cause unexpected decoupling of the elevators and large unwanted deflection of the free elevator, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

This action amends Control 1234L offshore airspace area in Alaska. Specifically, this action modifies Control 1234L in the immediate vicinity of the Saint Paul Island Airport, AK, by lowering the airspace floor from 2,000 feet above ground level (AGL) to 700 AGL. Additionally, outside the vicinity of the airport this action lowers the airspace floor from 2,000 AGL to 1,200 feet AGL within a 73-mile radius of the St. Paul Island Airport. The FAA is taking this action to provide additional controlled airspace for aircraft instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the St. Paul Island Airport.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. For certain airplanes, the original NPRM would have required repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the tube assemblies and insulation of the metered fire extinguisher system and the bleed air duct couplings of the auxiliary power unit (APU) located in the aft cargo compartment; and corrective actions if necessary. For certain other airplanes, the original NPRM would have required a one-time inspection for sufficient clearance between the fire extinguishing tube and the APU bleed air duct in the aft cargo compartment, and modification if necessary. The original NPRM resulted from one report indicating that an operator found a hole in the discharge tube assembly for the metered fire extinguishing system; and another report indicating that an operator found chafing of the fire extinguishing tube against the APU duct that resulted in a crack in the tube. This action revises the original NPRM by expanding the applicability and adding an inspection for signs of chafing and to verify sufficient clearance between the fire extinguisher system and the bleed air duct couplings of the APU. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent fire extinguishing agent from leaking out of the tube assembly in the aft cargo compartment which, in the event of a fire in the aft cargo compartment, could result in an insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent, and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress the fire.

This document contains a correction to the final rule (FAA- 2005-23075; 05-ASO-12), which was published in the Federal Register of February 28, 2006, (71 FR 9908), establishing Class E airspace at Nicholasville, KY. This action corrects an error in the geographic coordinates for the Class E5 airspace at Nicholasville, KY.