Federal Aviation Administration 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD- 83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracks found in Stringer 11 at the outboard flap, inboard drive hinge at Station Xrs=164.000. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks in Stringer 11, and a splice repair if necessary; and repetitive post-repair inspections, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in the wing structure not supporting the limit load condition, which could lead to loss of structural integrity of the wing.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires replacing wiring for the fuel boost pumps and override pumps with new wiring, installing Teflon sleeving on the wiring, and doing associated actions; and doing repetitive inspections to detect damage of the wiring or evidence of a fuel leak. Since we issued that AD, we have determined through service experience that the inspection interval was too long. This proposed AD would reduce the repetitive inspection interval. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damaged wiring for the fuel boost pumps and override pumps, which could cause electrical arcing that could puncture the conduit containing the wire, and result in a fuel tank explosion or a fire adjacent to the fuel tank.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at La Belle, FL, to accommodate the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at La Belle Municipal Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Harnett Regional Jetport Administrator to waive the requirement that approximately 9.54 acres of airport property, located at the Harnett Regional Jetport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Reidsville, GA. Separation of existing Class E airspace surrounding Swinton Smith Field at Reidsville Municipal Airport, Reidsville, GA, from the Class E airspace of Vidalia Regional Airport, Vidalia, GA, has made this action necessary to enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also changes the names of both airports and updates the airport's geographic coordinates.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of three teleconferences of the Systems Working Group of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The teleconferences will take place on: Tuesday November 13, 2012, Tuesday December 18, 2012, and Tuesday January 15, 2013. All teleconferences will begin at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and will last approximately one hour. Individuals who plan to participate should contact Paul Eckert, Designated Federal Officer (DFO), (the Contact Person listed below) by phone or email for the teleconference call-in number. The purpose of these three teleconferences is to assist the FAA early in its development of regulations to protect occupants of commercial suborbital and orbital spacecraft. In a Federal Register notice dated July 30, 2012, the FAA announced its desire to engage with COMSTAC on a periodic basis, approximately once per month, on specific topics. The three teleconferences announced today are a continuation of the three announced in July. As we noted in the July Federal Register notice, the FAA has not yet targeted a date for proposing regulations to protect the health and safety of crew and space flight participants. However, the FAA believes that the development of sound and appropriate regulations for human space flight can only be achieved with a deliberate, multi-year effort, and that early industry input into this regulatory effort before any formal proposal by the FAA is critical. The topics for the first three teleconferences were: (1) What Level of Safety Should FAA Target? (2) What Should FAA Oversight Look Like? and (3) What Types of Requirements and Associated Guidance Material Should FAA Develop? The topics for three follow-on teleconferences are as follows: (1) Key Terms and Definitions for Commercial Human Space Flight Safety Regulations. We would like to discuss key terms and definitions relevant to commercial human spaceflight regulations, and characterize their potential impacts to the various parties who have a vested interest in the industry. Terms that will be discussed include: a. Abort. b. Contingency. c. Emergency. d. Early Flight Return. e. Landing Site. (2) Aborts and Abort Systems. Abort systems have in the past been an element of many government human space flight systems for the purpose of enhancing occupant safety. We will discuss the following questions from a regulatory perspective: a. Is an abort system a part of fault tolerance? b. Does an abort only apply to the launch/ascent phase, or does it apply to other flight phases as well? c. Should certain types of orbital or suborbital vehicle designs require a launch abort system? d. What should the reliability requirements be for an abort system? e. Is it acceptable to have a different level of care for occupants during an abort? (3) Fault Tolerance, Margin, and Reliability. To allow for industry innovation, the commercial human space flight industry wishes to be free to the maximum extent possible to choose between fault tolerance, design margin, and reliability. We will explore the extent of this desire from a regulatory perspective with the following questions: a. What would be an acceptable rationale at a functional level for a choice of fault tolerance, design margin, or high reliability to protect the safety of spacecraft occupants? b. What is the minimum level of fault tolerance? Is it different for orbital vs. suborbital? c. When is occupant risk high enough to necessitate additional fault tolerance? d. What determines whether fault tolerance is handled at the function level or system level? Interested members of the public may submit relevant written statements for the COMSTAC working group members to consider under the advisory process. Statements may concern the issues and agenda items mentioned above or additional issues that may be relevant for the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. Interested parties wishing to submit written statements should contact Paul Eckert, DFO, (the Contact Person listed below) in writing (mail or email) by November 6, 2012, for the November 13 teleconference, December 11, 2012, for the December 18 teleconference, and January 8, 2013, for the January 15 teleconference. This way the information can be made available to COMSTAC members for their review and consideration before each teleconference. Written statements should be supplied in the following formats: One hard copy with original signature or one electronic copy via email. The FAA may schedule up to 6 more teleconferences in the coming months to allow the U.S. commercial space transportation industry to share views with the FAA on a number of specific topics related to commercial human space flight safety. An agenda will be posted on the FAA Web site at https://www.faa.gov/ go/ast and https://www.faa.gov/about/officeorg/headquartersoffices/ ast/COMSTACworkinggroup/ Individuals who plan to participate and need special assistance should inform the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6C-67C turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by five reported incidents of second stage power turbine (PT) disk damage. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive borescope inspections to verify the presence of a retaining ring securing the PT baffle located near the second stage PT disk. If the engine fails the inspection, this proposed AD would also require removing the engine from service before further flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent damage to the PT disk which, if undetected, could cause uncontained PT disk failure and loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that erroneous height indication by one radio altimeter with engaged flare and retard mode, in case of go-around, might lead to a temporary loss of airplane longitudinal control. This proposed AD would require revising the airplane flight manual. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew applies the appropriate operational procedures in the event of an erroneous indication of the radio altimeter, which could result in temporary loss of airplane longitudinal control.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Princeton, KY to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures serving the Princeton-Caldwell County Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate previously held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Model Galaxy and Gulfstream 200 airplanes. The proposed AD would have required determining the lengths of the wear indicating pins of all brake assemblies, shortening the pin if the wear indicating pin is too long, inspecting for normal brake wear, and replacing brakes with new brakes if necessary. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has received new data that indicates the actions addressing this unsafe condition have been accomplished on the worldwide fleet. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lindstrand Hot Air Balloons Ltd female ACME threaded hose connectors, part numbers HS6139 and HS6144, installed on balloons. 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 insufficient tightness of the threaded hose connector in the assembly area that could result in fuel leakage. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR Part 1500-1508) the Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for proposed Runway Safety Area improvements at the Kodiak Airport (ADQ) has been prepared and is available for public review and comment. Included in the DEIS is a draft evaluation pursuant to Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (recodified at 49 U.S.C. Sec. 303(c)). Written requests for the DEIS and written comments on the DEIS can be submitted to the individual listed in the section, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. A public hearing will be held on December 6, 2012. The public comment period will commence on October 19, 2012 and will close on December 18, 2012. Public Comment and Information Meetings/Public Hearings: The start of the public comment period on the DEIS will be October 19, 2012 and will end on December 18, 2012. One combined public information meeting and public hearing will be held on December 6, 2012. The public information meeting on Thursday, December 6, 2012 will begin at 5:00 p.m. (ADT) and will last until 6:00 p.m. (ADT). The public hearing on that date will begin after the public information meeting, at 6:00 p.m. (ADT) and will last until 8:00 p.m. (ADT). The location for the Public Information Meeting/Public Hearing is the Kodiak Harbor Convention Center, 211 East Rezanof Drive, Kodiak AK 99615.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Seattle-Tacoma International 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).

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC225 helicopters with certain epicyclic modules installed. This AD requires inspecting the epicyclic module for the presence of a through-hole upstream of the magnetic plug. This AD is prompted by a report of a missing through-hole between the integrated collector and the magnetic plug, which would prevent the flow of chips from the integrated collector to the magnetic plug. This could result in the chip-detector system failing to detect deterioration of the main rotor mast lift bearing (lift bearing). These actions are intended to detect a missing through-hole and prevent lift bearing failure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; Model A310 series airplanes; and 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). This AD was prompted by reports of cracked fuel pump canister hoods located in fuel tanks. This AD requires replacing any cracked hood halves of fuel pump canisters. We are issuing this AD to prevent any detached canister hood fragments/debris from being ingested into the fuel feed system, and becoming a potential source of ignition with consequent fire or explosion.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a design review following a ground fire incident and reports of flammable fluid leaks from the wing leading edge area onto the engine exhaust area. This AD requires modification of the fluid drain path in the leading edge area of the wing. We are issuing this AD to prevent flammable fluid from leaking onto the engine exhaust nozzle, which could result in a fire.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Model G58 airplanes. This AD was prompted by notification from Hawker Beechcraft Corporation that certain affected aircraft were produced with the incorrect gauge wiring installed. This AD requires replacement of the incorrect gauge wiring with the correct wiring required by type design and the aircraft's circuit protection. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice contains a summary of a petition 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 the petition or its final disposition.

We are revising an earlier NPRM for all PILATUS AIRCRAFT LTD. Models PC-12, PC-12/45, PC-12/47, and PC-12/47E airplanes. 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 a need to incorporate new revisions into the Limitations section, Chapter 4, of the FAA-approved maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manual). We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Burkhart GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt GmbH Models GROB G 109 and GROB G 109B sailplanes. 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 corrosion and/or cracking of the elevator control rod that could lead to failure of the elevator control rod with consequent loss of control. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by Los Angeles World Airports, for Van Nuys Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all EADS CASA (Type Certificate Previously Held by Construcciones Aeron[aacute]uticas, S.A.) Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrect electrical polarity connections on engine fire extinguishing discharge cartridges. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection to identify the correct polarity for each pair of electrical connectors on each engine fire extinguisher cartridge, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct incorrect polarity connections, which could prevent the actuation of the discharge cartridge in case of automatic fire detection or manual initiation during a potential engine fire, and could result in damage to the airplane and injury to passengers.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes with modification 160500 and Model A321 series airplanes with modification 160023 (Sharklet). These airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These design features include a high-speed protection system. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These 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.

We are rescinding an airworthiness directive (AD) for all Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Model P-180 airplanes. That AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. We issued that AD to prevent the brake hydraulic fluid from leaking because of the brake assembly rods contacting the brake valve tubing, which could result in the inability to adequately stop the airplane during ground operations. Since we issued that AD, we have determined this is no longer an unsafe condition and that regularly scheduled annual inspections address this subject.