Federal Aviation Administration October 1, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to establish a new restricted area, designated R-4001C, within the existing restricted areas R-4001A and R- 4001B, at the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. The purpose of the proposed R-4001C is to contain two moored balloons, called Aerostats that would be airborne continuously at approximately 10,000 feet MSL. This action would segregate nonparticipating aircraft from a hazard to navigation in the Aberdeen Proving Ground airspace.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Lawrenceville, IL. Decommissioning of the Mount Carmel nondirectional radio beacon (NDB) at Mount Carmel Municipal Airport has made reconfiguration necessary for standard instrument approach procedures and for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Geographic coordinates would also be updated.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires replacing certain serial-numbered main gearbox (MGB) bevel gear vertical shafts because they are no longer airworthy. Also, this AD requires certain inspections of each MGB bevel gear vertical shaft (shaft) for a crack. Also, this AD requires if there is a crack, replacing the shaft with an airworthy part before further flight. This AD is prompted by two incidents of emergency ditching after warning indications of loss of MGB oil pressure. These actions are intended to detect a cracked shaft, which could result in loss of MGB oil pressure, loss of the MGB lubrication system, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 214B, 214B-1, and 214ST helicopters. This AD requires creating a component history card or equivalent record for certain pylon support spindle assemblies (spindles), establishes a new retirement life for spindles installed on Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters, reduces the retirement life for spindles installed on Model 214ST helicopters, and requires replacing any spindle that has reached its airworthiness retirement life. This AD was prompted by three in-flight failures of the spindle that resulted in forced landings. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of a spindle and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.