Federal Aviation Administration November 25, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter (Eurocopter) France Model EC225LP helicopters. This proposed AD would require measuring the operating load of the cockpit fuel shut- off controls and replacing the tangential gearbox if the operating load threshold is exceeded. This proposed AD is prompted by the jamming of the left-hand (LH) side of the fuel shut-off and general cut-off controls (controls). The proposed actions are intended to prevent the jamming of the controls so that a pilot can shut down an engine during an engine fire or during an emergency landing.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2011-26- 04 that applies to certain Lycoming Engines fuel injected reciprocating engines. AD 2011-26-04 requires inspection, replacement if necessary, and proper clamping of externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines. Since we issued AD 2011-26-04, we received revised service information which adds engine models to the applicability. This proposed AD would expand the scope of affected engine models, require inspection, replacement if necessary, and proper clamping of externally mounted fuel injector fuel lines. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel injector fuel lines, which could lead to uncontrolled engine fire, engine damage, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for XtremeAir GmbH Model XA42 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as cracks in a weld seam between the lower left landing gear attachment bearing and the lower engine mount to the firewall attachment plate, which could reduce the structural integrity of the airplane and could result in engine separation. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-06-02, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. AD 2009-06-02 required repetitive inspections for skin cracks at the shear tie end fastener locations of the fuselage frames, and repair of cracks if necessary. This new AD also requires repetitive inspections for skin cracks next to the shear tie on airplanes with certain existing repair doublers, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also revises the applicability to include additional airplanes. This AD was prompted by additional cracking found on an airplane not affected by AD 2009-06-02. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks in the fuselage skin that can propagate and grow, and result in reduced structural integrity and sudden decompression of the airplane in flight.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; 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 a report that cracking was found in area 2 of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46. This AD requires a check of maintenance records to determine if certain repairs were done in area 1 of the frame base fittings, and, for affected airplanes, a detailed inspection for cracking in area 2 of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in area 2 of the frame base fittings between frame 41 and frame 46, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010- 21-01 for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters. AD 2010-21-01 required an inspection to determine whether a cross-member is installed at station X 2165 and doublers at X 2325 and Y 269, and installing them if they are missing. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2010-21-01 but clarifies the inspection procedures and limits the applicability to only those helicopters with collective-to-yaw control coupling. This AD is prompted by a crack discovered in the area of the center cross-member at station X 2325, at the attachment point of the yaw channel ball-type control sheath stop, of a Model AS355N helicopter fitted with the collective-to-yaw control coupling. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent reduced yaw control and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200 and -200PF series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that a standard access door was located where an impact-resistant access door was required, and stencils were missing from some impact-resistant access doors. This AD requires an inspection of the left- and right-hand wing fuel tank access doors to determine that impact-resistant access doors are installed in the correct locations, and to replace any door with an impact-resistant access door if necessary. This AD also requires an inspection for stencils and index markers on impact-resistant access doors, and application of new stencils or index markers if necessary. This AD also requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness limitations section. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object penetration of the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak near an ignition source (e.g., hot brakes or engine exhaust nozzle), consequently leading to a fuel-fed fire.