Federal Aviation Administration September 26, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA has issued a final flight, duty, and rest rule that will go into effect on January 4, 2014. This document provides an interpretation clarifying that the new flight, duty, and rest rule will apply to a flight duty period that begins on or after January 4, 2014. This document also clarifies FAA policy with regard to: exemption petitions asking for an early implementation date for the requirements of part 117; and exemption petitions asking for an early transition to the requirements of part 117.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG (RRD) Tay 620-15, 650-15, and 651- 54 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery that the low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades leading edges erode in service and create an unacceptable blade flutter margin. This proposed AD would require replacement of LPC fan blades. We are proposing this AD to prevent LPC fan blade failure, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2010-23- 12, which applies to certain Airbus Model A330-201, -202, -203, -223, - 223F, -243, and -243F Airplanes, Model A330-300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. AD 2010-23-12 requires inspecting to determine the part number for Thales Avionics Angle of Attack (AoA) probes, and replacing any affected probe with a serviceable probe. Since we issued AD 2010-23-12 we received reports that the AoA sensors on certain airplanes were modified and re- identified without performing the inspection to determine the part number; therefore, the affected probes were not replaced with serviceable probes. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability and, for certain airplanes, require those affected probes be replaced. We are proposing this AD to prevent erroneous AoA information and consequent delayed activation or non-activation of the AoA protection systems, which, in combination with flight at a high angle of attack, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to revise airworthiness directive (AD) 2011-22-05 for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, B1, B2, B3, BA, C, D, D1, AS355E, F, F1, F2, N, and NP helicopters with certain tail rotor pitch control rods installed. AD 2011-22-05 currently requires, before the first flight of each day, checking the tail rotor (T/R) pitch control rod (control rod) outboard spherical bearing (bearing) for play. If play exists, AD 2011-22-05 requires measuring the bearing's radial and axial play. Since we issued AD 2011-22-05, we have determined that we can safely extend the compliance time to perform the initial and recurring checks for bearing play. The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of a control rod, loss of T/R control, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG 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 insufficient clearance between the rod end safety washer and the nose landing gear attachment lever causes the rod end to bend at each gear retraction sequence. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.