Federal Aviation Administration August 6, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are superseding emergency airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-14-51 for General Electric Company (GE) GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B turbofan engines with affected transfer gearbox assembly (TGB) radial gearshafts installed. AD 2013-14-51 was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of GE90-110B1 and GE90-115B turbofan engines. AD 2013-14-51 prohibited operation of an airplane if more than one installed engine has an affected TGB radial gearshaft. This AD contains the same prohibition as AD 2013-14-51 and also prohibits operation of any airplane 60 days after the effective date of this new AD if any installed engine has an affected TGB radial gearshaft. This new AD also revises the applicability by adding GE90- 76B, GE90-77B, GE90-85B, GE90-90B, GE90-94B, and GE90-113B turbofan engine models and adds a mandatory terminating action. This new AD was prompted by reports of three failures of TGB radial gearshafts which resulted in in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). We are issuing this new AD to prevent failure of the TGB radial gearshaft, which could result in IFSD of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-14-04 for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes. AD 2012-14-04 required replacing certain parking brake accumulators. This new AD retains this requirement. This new AD also requires installing restraint devices around the parking brake accumulator end caps. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a parking brake accumulator screw cap or end cap resulting in loss of the number 2 hydraulic system and damage to airplane structures, which could adversely affect the controllability of the airplane.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2000-06-13 R1, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, and -400 series airplanes. AD 2000-06-13 R1 required repetitively inspecting for cracking of the corners of the door frame and the cross beams of the aft cargo door, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2000-06-13 R1 also required modifying the aft cargo door, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This new AD adds airplanes to the applicability, adds inspections and related investigative and corrective actions, revises certain inspection types, and reduces a certain compliance time for modifying the doors. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the forward and aft corner frames of the aft cargo door and in the lower cross beam. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the corners of the door frame and the cross beams of the aft cargo door, which could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc. (previously Utah State University); Firefly Aviation Helicopter Services (previously Erickson Air-Crane Co.); California Department of Forestry; Garlick Helicopters, Inc.; Global Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC (previously Western International Aviation, Inc.); International Helicopters, Inc.; Precision Helicopters, LLC; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; San Joaquin Helicopters (previously Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc.); S.M.&T. Aircraft (previously US Helicopters, Inc., UNC Helicopter, Inc., Southern Aero Corporation, and Wilco Aviation); Smith Helicopters; Southern Helicopter, Inc.; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc. (previously Jamie R. Hill and Southwest Florida Aviation); Tamarack Helicopters, Inc. (previously Ranger Helicopter Services, Inc.); US Helicopter, Inc. (previously UNC Helicopter, Inc.); West Coast Fabrication; and Williams Helicopter Corporation (previously Scott Paper Co.) Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P Helicopters; and Southwest Florida Aviation Model UH- 1B (SW204 and SW204HP) and UH-1H (SW205) Helicopters. This AD requires creating a component history card or equivalent record for each main rotor grip (grip); determining and recording the total hours time-in- service (TIS) for each grip; visually inspecting the upper and lower tangs of the grip for a crack; inspecting the grip buffer pads for delamination and if delamination is present, inspecting the grip surface for corrosion or other damage; inspecting the grip for a crack using ultrasonic (UT) and fluorescent penetrant inspection methods; and establishing a retirement life for certain grips. This AD was prompted by three in-flight failures of grips installed on Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 212 helicopters, which resulted from cracks originating in the lower main rotor blade bolt lug. The actions are intended to prevent failure of the grip, separation of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.