Federal Aviation Administration 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Engine Alliance GP7270 and GP7277 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by damage to the high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 7-9 spool caused by failure of the baffle plate feature on affected HPC stage 6 disks. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive borescope inspections of the baffle plate feature and removal from service of the HPC stage 6 disk before further flight, if the plate is missing material. This proposed AD would also require mandatory removal from service of these HPC stage 6 disks at the next HPC module exposure. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the HPC stage 7-9 spool, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of auxiliary power unit (APU) faults due to power feeder cable chafing. This proposed AD would require detailed inspections for damage of the APU power feeder cables; replacing the clamps and installing grommets; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the APU power feeder cables within a flammable fluid leakage zone, which, with arcing, could result in fire and structural damage.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application for a release of approximately 9.89 acres of airport property at Delano Municipal Airport, Delano, California from all conditions contained in the Quitclaim Deed and Grant Assurances since the parcels of land are not needed for airport purposes. The property will be conveyed at its fair market value for the benefit of the airport. The use of the land by the City of Delano will remain the same and represents a continued compatible land use that will not interfere with the airport or its operation, thereby protecting the interests of civil aviation.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain DASSAULT AVIATION Model MYSTERE-FALCON 900 and FALCON 900EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing between the tail strobe power supply and a hydraulic line. This proposed AD would require modifying the tail strobe power supply wire routing. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing between the tail strobe power supply and a hydraulic line, which could result in hydraulic fluid leakage and possible fire due to arcing, and consequent loss of control of the airplane due to structural failure of the tail.

This action amends Class D and Class E airspace and removes Class E airspace in the Tri-Cities, TN, area, to accommodate the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Tri-Cities Regional Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System. This action also updates the geographic coordinates, airport name, and airspace designation. Also, this action corrects errors in the Class E descriptor.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Sixty-First meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 135, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 214 to be held jointly with EUROCAE WG-78: Standards for Air Traffic Data Communication Services.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 412 and 412EP helicopters. This AD requires creating a component history card or equivalent record and begin counting and recording the number of accumulated landings for each high aft crosstube assembly (crosstube). Also, this AD requires installing ``caution'' decals regarding towing of a helicopter at or above 8,900 pounds. This AD also requires confirming the crosstube is within the horizontal deflection limits and replacing it if it is not. This AD also requires a recurring fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of each crosstube and upper center support for a crack, any corrosion, nick, scratch, dent, or any other damage. This AD requires repairing damaged crosstubes and upper center supports that are within acceptable limits, reworking crosstubes by bonding on abrasion strips, and replacing each unairworthy crosstube with an airworthy crosstube. This AD was prompted by analysis of the crosstubes conducted as a result of recent field failures and corrosion problems of the affected crosstubes. The actions are intended to prevent failure of a crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate previously held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of control cable assembly failures that may lead to failure of the horizontal stabilator control system and could result in loss of pitch control. This AD requires inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

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 propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require changing the direction of the bolt connecting the upper clevis bolt of a specific bellcrank in the main rotor assembly, repetitively inspecting the bearings in the bellcrank assemblies for correct staking, and replacing a bellcrank if a bearing is staked incorrectly. This proposed AD is prompted by improperly staked bellcrank bearings, which may cause the bellcrank to shift in the axial direction and cause chafing. The proposed actions are intended to prevent contact between the bolts on certain main rotor bellcranks, which could result in chafing and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting 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 AD was prompted by reports of incorrect electrical polarity connections on engine fire extinguishing discharge cartridges. This AD requires 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 issuing 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 and - 300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing defect in certain rods installed in the belly fairing, which could lead to cracks at the crimped end of the rod. This AD requires an inspection of the rods to determine the manufacturer; and for affected parts, an inspection for any cracking of the rods, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the rods, which could result in rupture of rods that attach the belly fairing to the airframe, leading to separation of the belly fairing from the airframe, and consequent damage to airplane structure and airplane systems.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Model BAe 146, and Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of loss of the end caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube of the wing leading edge. This AD requires a detailed inspection of the end caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube for lost or loose end caps, and replacing or repairing the end caps if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct lost and loose end caps on the anti-icing piccolo tube, and ice accretion on the wing leading edge or run-back ice, which could lead to a reduction in the stall margin on approach and loss of controllability of the airplane.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Lincoln, ME, as the Lincoln Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at Lincoln Regional Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action amends Class E airspace at Ontonagon, MI. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Ontonagon CountySchuster Field Airport. Also, this action renames the airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to modify the Nashville International Airport, TN, Class C airspace area by removing a cutout from the surface area that was put in place to accommodate operations around an airport that is now permanently closed. The FAA is proposing this action to return the Class C airspace area to the standard configuration and enable more efficient operations at the Nashville International Airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Griffin, GA, as the Griffin Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned and new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) have been developed at Griffin-Spalding County Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This notice announces a public teleconference to share with the public results of recent FAA sponsored testing of nitrous oxide (N2O) characteristics. Nitrous oxide is an important oxidizer to developers of some commercial reusable launch vehicles. A potential hazard in nitrous oxide storage and handling is a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE), which results from a sudden loss of pressure in a tank containing nitrous oxide stored under pressure above its normal boiling point. The FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation sponsored tests of liquid-phase nitrous oxide at NASA's White Sands Test Facility to empirically determine the superheat limit temperature for nitrous oxide, and to demonstrate that a BLEVE would not occur if the liquid is maintained at temperatures below this superheat limit temperature. Meeting Information: The teleconference is scheduled for Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The presentation and call-in number will be posted one week in advance at https://www.ast.faa.gov/.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the Bi-County Board of Commissioners of Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties request to release airport property and granting right-of-way easements for use by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to construct an access roadway and required drainage facilities. The request consists of a permanent release of land (16.037 acres) for the roadway construction, a right-of-way drainage easement (0.2 acre) for the highway, and a right-of-way easement (0.183 acre) for the substitute sewer (supersedes previous easement) for the Lower Lackawanna Valley Sanitary Authority. The parcel is located in the Borough of DuPont and Pittstown Township, Luzerne County within the existing Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport property and consists of three areas. The first area is located southeast of the northbound off ramp (exit 178A) of Interstate 81 near its intersection with Terminal Road (SR 2059) to Navy Way Road then along the Navy Way Road alignment south to the Lidy Road intersection with Gedrich Street containing approximately 8 +/- acres. The second area is located southeast of Laurel Lane and extends southeast under the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport approach light towers and the wooded area to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension containing approximately 8 +/- acres. The third area is located northwest of Campbell Street along Interstate 81 and the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 81 containing approximately 0.26 +/- acres. This release request is for the purpose of permitting the Airport Owner to sell and convey title of 16.037 acres for public roadway, 0.20 acres for a drainage easement associated with the highway and 0.183 acres for a substitute sewer easement displaced due to the public road for a total of 16.42 acres. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport will receive fair market value from the sale of the land. Areas impacted are not needed for aeronautical use for current or foreseeable future aeronautical activities. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Airport Managers office and the FAA Harrisburg Airport District Office.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Seventy Fifth meeting of RTCA Special Committee 147, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems Airborne Equipment.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require repetitive operational tests of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of two in- service occurrences on Model 737-400 airplanes of total loss of boost pump pressure of the fuel feed system, followed by loss of fuel system suction feed capability on one engine, and in-flight shutdown of the engine. This action revises that NPRM by proposing to require repetitive operational tests, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct loss of the engine fuel suction feed capability of the fuel system, which, in the event of total loss of the fuel boost pumps, could result in dual engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the previous NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A318- 112 airplane, serial number (S/N) 3238. This airplane, as modified by Fokker Services B.V., will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with a cooktop installation. 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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, installing two warning level indicator lights on each of the P1-3 and P3-1 instrument panels in the flight compartment. This AD also requires, for certain airplanes, replacing the existing P5-16 and P5-10 panels; and, for certain airplanes, replacing the basic P5-16 panel with a high altitude landing P5-16 panel. Additionally, this AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to remove certain requirements of previous AD actions, and to advise the flightcrew of certain changes. This AD was prompted by a design change in the cabin altitude warning system that would address the identified unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the flightcrew to recognize and react to a valid cabin altitude warning horn, which could result in incapacitation of the flightcrew due to hypoxia (a lack of oxygen in the body), and consequent loss of control of the airplane.