Federal Aviation Administration 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is correcting a previously published final rule entitled Performance and Handling Qualities Requirements for Rotorcraft. In that final rule, we inadvertently left two cited references unchanged. The intent of this action is to correct the error in the regulation to ensure the requirement is clear and accurate.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Weiser Municipal Airport, Weiser, ID. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Weiser Municipal Airport, Weiser, ID. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at Weiser Municipal Airport, Weiser, ID.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. Model A109E, A109S, and A119 helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the technical agent for Italy, with which we have a bilateral agreement, states in the MCAI:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Lockheed Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G series airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the FAA-approved maintenance program by incorporating new airworthiness limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This proposed AD would also require the accomplishment of certain fuel system modifications, the initial inspections of certain repetitive fuel system limitations to phase in those inspections, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Sandel Avionics Incorporated Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI units as described above. The existing AD currently requires installing a warning placard on the TAWS/RMI and revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM). The existing AD also requires installing upgraded software in the TAWS/RMI. This new AD allows installing later revisions of the software described in the existing AD. This AD results from a report that an in-flight bearing error occurred in a Model ST3400 TAWS/RMI configured to receive bearing information from a very high frequency omnidirectional range (VOR) receiver interface via a composite video signal, due to a combination of input signal fault and software error. We are issuing this AD to prevent a bearing error, which could lead to an airplane departing from its scheduled flight path, which could result in a reduction in separation from, and a possible collision with, other aircraft or terrain.

This Rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes STANDARD Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures 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, adding new obstacles, or changing 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.

This action confirms the effective date and makes a correction to the direct final rule published in the Federal Register January 30, 2008, that establishes controlled airspace at Marienville, PA (73 FR 5431), Docket No. FAA-2007-0162. In the airspace description, the wrong name was used for the Airport. This action corrects that error.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule published in the Federal Register on February 21, 2008 (FR 73 9445) Docket No. FAA-2008-0130 that modifies Class E Airspace at Wilkes- Barre, PA. Additionally, this action corrects a minor technical error in the publication of the coordinates for the Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA and the Community Medical Center, Scranton, PA.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 9186) that establishes Class E Airspace at Vinalhaven, ME to support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the Mary Talbot Memorial Airfield.

This action withdraws the direct final rule published in the Federal Register March 21, 2008 establishing Class E Airspace at Lady Lake, FL (73 FR 15060), Docket No. FAA-2008-0072. This Direct final rule is being withdrawn in recognition of existing Class E Airspace at Lady Lake, FL that adequately supports the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the Village of Homewood Lady Lake Hospital.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of a new information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on March 20, 2008, vol. 73, no. 55, page 15042. This project involves the random and representative sampling of Flight Attendants currently employed by U.S. air carriers.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires various repetitive inspections to detect cracks along the chemically milled steps of the fuselage skin or missing or loose fasteners in the area of the preventative modification or repairs, replacement of the time-limited repair with the permanent repair if applicable, and applicable corrective actions if necessary, which would end certain repetitive inspections. This AD results from a fatigue test that revealed numerous cracks in the upper skin panel at the chemically milled step above the lap joint. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue-related cracks, which could result in the crack tips continuing to turn and grow to the point where the skin bay flaps open, causing decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: * * * * * The assessment and lightning tests showed that certain fuel tube self-bonded couplings do not provide sufficient lightning current capability. The assessment also showed that single failure of the integral bonding wire of the self-bonded couplings could affect electrical bonding between the tubes. Insufficient electrical bonding between fuel tubes or insufficient current capability of fuel tube couplings, if not corrected, could result in arcing and potential ignition source[s] inside the fuel tank during lightning strikes and consequent fuel tank explosion. * * *

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777 airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine the manufacturer and manufacture date of the oxygen masks in the center and outboard passenger service units, crew rests, and lavatory and flight attendant oxygen boxes, as applicable. This AD also requires related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report that several passenger masks with broken in-line flow indicators were found following a mask deployment. We are issuing this AD to prevent the in-line flow indicators of the passenger oxygen masks from fracturing and separating, which could inhibit oxygen flow to the masks and consequently result in exposure of the passengers and cabin attendants to hypoxia following a depressurization event.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525 airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect for missing firewall sealant between the aft firewall assembly and seal assembly; and, if you find that firewall sealant is missing, seal with firewall sealant between the aft firewall assembly and seal assembly. This AD results from a report that firewall sealant may not have been applied between the aft firewall assembly and seal assembly during manufacture of certain Model 525 airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct missing firewall sealant between the aft firewall assembly and seal assembly, which could result in failure of the fire extinguishing system to prevent the spread of fire through the firewall gap. This failure could lead to an uncontrolled fire.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at Scappoose Industrial Airpark 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).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that it has published a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that evaluated proposed approval of an Operations Specifications Amendment to allow Horizon Air to conduct scheduled air service to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH). FAA approved the ROD on May 14, 2008.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee (ATPAC) will be held to review present air traffic control procedures and practices for standardization, revision, clarification, and upgrading of terminology and procedures.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require installation of hot short protector (HSP) support brackets and equipment for the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) fuel densitometer and other specified actions as applicable. This proposed AD would also require a revision to the Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate AWL No. 28-AWL-07. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent the center tank fuel densitometer from overheating and becoming a potential ignition source inside the center fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a center fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require performing repetitive operational tests of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of in-service occurrences of loss of fuel system suction feed capability, followed by total loss of pressure of the fuel feed system. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, which could result in dual engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting for cracks in the left- and right-side Stringer 11 longeron adjacent to the horizontal stabilizer pivot bulkhead, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of a crack found in the right-side Stringer 11 longeron horizontal flange, adjacent to the horizontal stabilizer pivot bulkhead, during a routine maintenance inspection. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the longeron, which can propagate and cause damage to the adjacent horizontal stabilizer pivot bulkhead. This damage could result in loss of structural integrity and consequent inability of the bulkhead to carry flight loads, which could adversely affect controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD would require performing repetitive operational tests of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of in-service occurrences of loss of fuel system suction feed capability, followed by total loss of pressure of the fuel feed system. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct failure of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, which could result in dual engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane.