Federal Aviation Administration 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) CF6-80C2 series turbofan engines. That NPRM proposed to supersede an AD that required replacement of fuel tubes connected to the fuel flowmeter. That NPRM was prompted by several reports of fuel leaks, and two reports of engine fire, due to mis-assembled supporting brackets on the fuel tube connecting the flowmeter to the Integrated Drive Generator (IDG) fuel- oil cooler. That NPRM required installation of a new simplified one- piece supporting bracket to eliminate mis-assembly. This supplemental action adds an engine model, alters the list of affected part numbers (P/Ns), changes the replacement schedule, and revises our estimated cost of compliance. We are reopening the comment period to allow the public the opportunity to comment on these proposed changes. We are proposing this AD to prevent high-pressure fuel leaks caused by improper seating of fuel tube flanges, which could result in an engine fire and damage to the airplane.

We are revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all GA200 (Pty) Ltd Models GA200 and GA200C airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 failure of the wing strut bolt through the main spar. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of escape slides failing to deploy from the forward and aft right-hand doors during scheduled maintenance slide deployments. This AD requires modifying the escape slide. Also, for certain airplanes, this AD requires modifying or replacing the Vespel piston. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires an additional modification of the escape slide. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of an escape slide to deploy, which could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and increased likelihood of injury to passengers or crewmembers due to the difficulty in evacuating the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, and Model DHC-8-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of excessive wear found in the clevis (bolt) hole where the rod assembly attaches to the rudder/brake pedal bellcrank, due to prolonged fretting. This proposed AD would require measuring the bellcrank clevis holes, inspecting for cracking of the bellcrank, and re-working the clevis holes with steel bushings, or replacing the bellcrank. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct a worn or cracked clevis hole, which could cause failure of the bellcrank on one side, with subsequent asymmetric braking and consequent runway excursion.

This action amends the time of designation for restricted area R-6501B, Underhill, VT by adding a requirement for issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) 24 hours in advance of any activation of the restricted area. This action does not affect the boundaries, altitudes or activities conducted within the area.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 768-60, 772- 60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive on-wing or in-shop inspections of the high pressure/ intermediate pressure (HP/IP) turbine bearing support oil feed tube outer heat shield. This AD also requires installation of a revised HP/ IP turbine bearing support structure as terminating action to the repetitive inspections of the HP/IP turbine bearing support oil feed tube outer heat shield. This AD was prompted by a report of high oil consumption due to an oil leak from the HP/IP turbine bearing support oil feed tube. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HP turbine disc, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the fuselage skin and bear strap at the forward, upper corner of the L1 entry door cutout for cracking, and repair if necessary. That action also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. That AD also requires additional inspections for airplanes having repairs or preventative modifications installed and inspections for certain other airplanes. This AD requires the previous actions with additional airplane group configurations added to paragraph (n) of this AD. This AD was prompted by a determination that certain airplane group configurations in paragraph (n) of the existing AD were inadvertently removed in the final rule. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the fuselage skin and bear strap at the forward upper corner of the L1 entry door cutout, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the L1 entry door, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at White Mountain Airport, White Mountain, AK, to accommodate aircraft using new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at the airport. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at White Mountain Airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Morrisville, VT, as the Morrisville-Stowe Non-Directional Radio Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Morrisville-Stowe State Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Wilbur Airport, Wilbur, WA. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures at Wilbur Airport, Wilbur, WA. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action extends the comment period for a notice of availability that was published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2012. In that document, the FAA announced a proposed policy statement regarding the regulation of some occupational safety and health conditions affecting cabin crewmembers on aircraft by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The comment period is scheduled to close on January 7, 2013. Several airline associations have requested that the FAA extend the comment period for an additional 30 days to allow time for their members to evaluate the impacts and implications of the proposed policy and prepare comments.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model BO-105A, BO- 105C, BO-105LS A-1, BO-105LS A-3, and BO-105S helicopters, which proposed inspecting for debonding of the erosion protective shell (abrasion strip) on the leading edge of each main rotor blade. This SNPRM proposes to revise those inspection requirements by identifying specific dates of replacement of the applicable parts and identifying a specific inspection method for debonding of an abrasion strip.

This action proposes special conditions for the Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features, specifically distributed electrical and electronic equipment bays in pressurized areas of the airplane. Older transport category airplane electrical/electronic equipment bay installations are located in the lower lobe where the flightcrew could determine the origin of smoke or fire by a straightforward airplane flight manual procedure. In distributed electrical/electronic bay installations it is not as straightforward. The FAA has no requirement for smoke and/or fire detection in the electrical/electronic equipment bays. To ensure effective mitigation of fires, the FAA proposes these special conditions. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking reconsideration of the FAA's decision to deny a petition for an exemption 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 the petition or its final disposition.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GIV-X airplanes. This AD requires performing a modified system power-on self test (SPOST) of the flap/stabilizer electronic control unit (FSECU), and revising the airplane flight manual to incorporate these test procedures into the daily preflight check. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that the FSECU does not detect failures of the brake feature within the horizontal stabilizer electric motor unit (HSEMU), or failures of drive solenoids for hydraulic valves within the flap hydraulic control module (FHCM) during the SPOST. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such failures, which could result in runaway horizontal stabilizer pitch trim system and consequent loss of pitch control.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a translating door handle jamming during opening of an aft door. This proposed AD would require replacing the handle shaft with a new single-piece machined handle shaft on the aft entry and service doors, and require revising the maintenance program by incorporating a new airworthiness limitation task. We are proposing this AD to prevent a migrated pin from jamming a translating door handle, which could prevent opening of the door and impede an emergency evacuation.

The FAA is issuing an Initial Supplemental Regulatory Impact Analysis of its final rule amending its existing flight, duty and rest regulations applicable to certain certificate holders and their flightcrew members. That document may be found in the docket listed above. The Initial Supplemental Regulatory Impact Analysis serves to provide more detail on the potential impacts the final rule would have on cargo-only operations. In addition, the Initial Supplemental Regulatory Impact Analysis provides expanded discussion of the methodology and information sources used in the original Regulatory Impact Analysis, corrects some reporting of results and minor calculation errors present in that document, and presents sensitivity analysis on key assumptions used in the analysis.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (AWL) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) of the Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual (MRM) by incorporating new procedures for repetitive detailed and special detailed inspections for cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead. This new AD requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate a revised task specified in a certain temporary revision, which requires an improved non-destructive inspection procedure; and adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of cracks on the forward face of the rear pressure bulkhead (RPB) web. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the RPB, which could result in reduced structural integrity and rapid decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109E and Model A109S helicopters with certain lower semichannel assemblies installed. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the lower semichannel assemblies to determine if metallic spacers are installed. If the metallic spacers are installed, this AD requires an inspection for the correct installation of the metallic spacers on the semichannels and for the correct seating of the gaskets. If the metallic spacers are not installed with rivets, the lower semichannel assemblies must be modified, and the main drive shaft must be inspected for damage. This AD was prompted by reports of damage to the main drive shaft caused by improperly secured metallic spacers on some A109 model helicopters. The actions of this AD are intended to detect missing spacer rivets, which could allow the metallic spacers to rotate and lead to damage and failure of the main drive shaft, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta Model AW139 helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the pilot's and co-pilot's collective and cyclic control sticks for correctly installed attaching hardware. This AD is prompted by a report of an incorrectly installed pilot's collective stick, pilot's cyclic stick, and co-pilot's cyclic stick. These actions are intended to prevent detachment of the cyclic or collective control stick, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300- 600 series airplanes); and Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded slide back of the co- pilot seat to the end stop position. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection for a part number, a tensile test of the affected seats, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and prevent unwanted movement of a pilot or co-pilot seat in the horizontal direction, which could lead to inadvertent input on the flight control commands and possibly result in loss of controllability of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 900 series turbofan engines. This AD requires inspection of the low pressure turbine (LPT) bearing housing end cover assembly in certain engines and, if necessary, its replacement. This AD was prompted by a Trent 900 engine experiencing a high intermediate pressure vibration fault, along with other fluctuating engine parameters, while in flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent fracture of the oil transfer tube, which could result in uncontained failure of the engine and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340A (SAAB/SF340A) and SAAB 340B airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of stall events during icing conditions where the natural stall warning (buffet) was not identified. This AD requires replacing the stall warning computer (SWC) with a new SWC, which provides an artificial stall warning in icing conditions, and modifying the airplane for the replacement of the SWC. We are issuing this AD to prevent natural stall events when operating in icing conditions, which, if not corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate modifications in the Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) of the EMBRAER ERJ 190 Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR). This new AD requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate modifications in the ALS of the EMBRAER ERJ 190 MRBR to include new inspection tasks and their respective thresholds and intervals. This AD was prompted by issuance of new inspection tasks and their respective thresholds and intervals. We are issuing this AD since failure to inspect these structural components according to the new ALS tasks, thresholds, and intervals could prevent a timely detection of fatigue cracking, which if not properly addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

This notice announces the availability of a proposed policy statement regarding the regulation of some occupational safety and health conditions affecting cabin crewmembers on aircraft by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This policy statement will enhance occupational safety and health in the aircraft cabin by establishing the extent to which OSHA requirements may apply to the working conditions of aircraft cabin crew while they are onboard aircraft in operation.