Federal Aviation Administration October 18, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is revising the applicability of the function and reliability flight testing requirements to include all part 23 turbine- powered airplanes weighing 6,000 pounds or less. Revising the applicability is necessary because advancements in aviation technology have invalidated the reasons for excluding these airplanes. This revision is intended to improve aviation safety for these airplanes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GE CF6-80C2A1, CF6-80C2A2, CF6-80C2A3, CF6-80C2A5, CF6-80C2A5F, CF6- 80C2A8, CF6-80C2B1, CF6-80C2B1F, CF6-80C2B1F1, CF6-80C2B1F2, CF6- 80C2B2, CF6-80C2B2F, CF6-80C2B3F, CF6-80C2B4, CF6-80C2B4F, CF6-80C2B5F, CF6-80C2B6, CF6-80C2B6F, CF6-80C2B6FA, CF6-80C2B7F, CF6-80C2B8F, CF6- 80C2D1F, CF6-80C2K1F, and CF6-80C2L1F turbofan engines, including engines marked on the engine data plate as CF6-80C2B7F1. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a supplier shipping a batch of nonconforming No. 3 bearing packings that had incorrect cooling holes, and by subsequent reports of nonconforming No. 3 bearing packings being installed on engines in service. This proposed AD would require a one- time inspection of the No. 3 bearing packing for an incorrect cooling hole size and, if it is found nonconforming, removing the packing and removing certain engine rotating life-limited parts, if they were operated with the wrong packing for a specified number of cycles. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontained failure of the high- pressure compressor (HPC) rotor or the low-pressure turbine (LPT) rotor or both, which could cause damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD would require removing from service certain serial number (S/N) fan blades, part number (P/N) 338- 002-114-0. This proposed AD was prompted by a normal quality sampling at CFM that isolated a production batch of fan blades with nonconforming geometry of mid-span shroud tips of the fan blades. This defect would cause the upper panel of the fan blade to be liberated following foreign object damage (FOD) or bird strike, and likely result in an inflight shutdown (IFSD). We are proposing this AD to prevent an IFSD of one or more engines following FOD or a bird strike.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all RR RB211-Trent 553-61, 553A2-61, 556-61, 556A2-61, 556B-61, 556B2-61, 560-61, 560A2-61, 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60, 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines. The existing AD currently requires inspecting the intermediate-pressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land for cracks. Since we issued that AD, we received reports of one RB211-Trent 700 and two additional RB211-Trent 800 IP compressor rotor shafts that have been found cracked. This proposed AD would continue to require initial inspections, add additional inspections, and an optional terminating action. The cracking identified above could lead to IP compressor rotor shaft failure, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Huntington, WV, as the Huntt Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) have been developed at Tri-State/Milton J Ferguson Field Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Nahunta, GA, to accommodate the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures serving Brantley County Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System. This action also makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Palmyra, PA, to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Reigle Field. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.