Federal Aviation Administration 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, 737-400, 737-500, and 757-200 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of damage caused by electrical arcing to the wires that connect seat electronics boxes (SEBs). This AD requires installing a new relay and doing certain wiring changes of the entertainment control switch. We are issuing this AD to prevent power from being supplied to passenger seats when the entertainment control switch is in the OFF position, which could cause an electrical shock hazard resulting in serious or fatal injury to maintenance personnel.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the proposed release of 154.0957 acres of land currently owned by the Raleigh County Commission, Sponsor for the Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beckley, West Virginia. The parcel is located off the north end of the airport and descends in to ``Piney Creek Gorge'' to a depth in excess of 600ft below the airport elevation and has no aeronautical benefit. The land is dormant, no infrastructure exists and land has no practical use. Due to terrain, no future development opportunities exist for the airport. Once released, the land will be sold and placed in a Conservation Easement, with restriction of no future development. Proposed buyer would be placing the area of request in a conservation easement for wildlife enhancement, with no adverse impact to the airport. Land will remain as compatible use to the airport. Land will be sold as surface rights only, no conveyance of mineral rights. The airport land being released is not needed for airport development as shown on the Airport Layout Plan. Fair Market Value has been determined based upon an appraisal of the Property.

We propose to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain aircraft equipped with wing lift struts. The existing AD currently requires repetitively inspecting the wing lift struts for corrosion; repetitively inspecting the wing lift strut forks for cracks; replacing any corroded wing lift strut; replacing any cracked wing lift strut fork; and repetitively replacing the wing lift strut forks at a specified time for certain airplanes. The existing AD also currently requires incorporating a ``NO STEP'' placard on the wing lift strut. Since we issued that AD, we have been informed that paragraph (c) in the existing AD is being misinterpreted and causing confusion. This proposed AD would clarify the intent of the language currently in paragraph (c) of the existing AD and would retain all other requirements of the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Airplanes Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the seat track attachment of body station 520 flexible joint is structurally deficient in resisting a 9g forward emergency load condition in certain seating configurations. This proposed AD would require replacing the pivot link assembly on certain seats, and modifying or replacing the seat track link assemblies on certain seats. Also, for certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require installing a new seat track link assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent seat detachment in an emergency landing, which could cause injury to occupants of the passenger compartment and affect emergency egress.

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.

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.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a meeting of the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee (ATPAC) will be held to review present air traffic control procedures and practices for standardization, revision, clarification, and upgrading of terminology and procedures.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFM International, S. A. (CFM) model CFM56-5 and CFM56-5B series turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by corrosion of the delta P valve in the hydromechanical unit (HMU) caused by contaminants in type TS-1 fuel. This proposed AD would require cleaning, inspection and repair of affected HMUs. We are proposing this AD to prevent seizure of the HMU, leading to failure of one or more engines and damage to the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PW118, PW118A, PW118B, PW119B, PW119C, PW120, PW120A, PW121, PW121A, PW123, PW123B, PW123C, PW123D, PW123E, PW123AF, PW124B, PW125B, PW126A, PW127, PW127E, PW127F, PW127G, and PW127M turboprop engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of certain serial numbers (S/Ns) of propeller shafts for cracks and removal from service if found cracked. This new AD requires the same actions, but requires removal from service of affected propeller shafts as mandatory terminating action to the repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of two propeller shafts found cracked at time of inspection during maintenance. We are issuing this AD to detect propeller shaft cracks, which could cause failure of the shaft, propeller release, and loss of control of the airplane.

This action establishes VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) Federal airway V-629, near Las Vegas, NV, to supplement the existing routes structure for aircraft navigating in an area of marginal radar coverage. This action enhances the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Tay 620-15 turbofan engines. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades and if erosion is found their replacement before further flight. This AD was prompted by evidence of excessive leading edge erosion of the LPC fan blades on certain Tay 620-15 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the LPC fan blade, which could result in uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This action modifies VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-170 between Devils Lake, ND (DVL), and Jamestown, ND (JMS). The FAA is taking this action to ensure the airway between DVL and JMS has the necessary clearance from the western boundary of the newly established restricted area R-5402, Devils Lake, ND, to support non- radar separation requirements when the restricted area is active.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Princeton, KY, to accommodate the new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures serving Princeton- Caldwell County Airport. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System. This action also makes a minor adjustment to the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This rulemaking would amend the type certification requirements for chemical oxygen generators installed on transport category airplanes so the generators are secure and not subject to misuse. The intended effect of this action would be to increase the level of security for future transport category airplane designs. This proposal does not directly affect the existing fleet.

We propose to revise an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, - 300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking in the web of the aft pressure bulkhead at body station 1016 at the aft fastener row attachment to the ``Y'' chord, various inspections for discrepancies at the aft pressure bulkhead, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that certain inspection and repair conditions must be clarified, as well as certain paragraph references related to the terminating action. This proposed AD would clarify certain actions specified in the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the fuselage.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365C, SA-365C1, SA-365C2, and SA-366G1 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting portions of the main gearbox (MGB) for the presence of sealing compound and corrosion. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the main MGB casing lower area between the two servo-control anchoring fitting attachment ribs. An investigation determined that the corrosion was associated with sealing compound on the lower part of the fitting/casing attachment. The actions in this AD are intended to detect corrosion on the MGB casing, which could lead to a crack, failure of the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH (TAE) TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines. This AD requires inspection of the oil filler plug vent hole at the next scheduled maintenance or within 110 flight hours after the effective date of this AD. If chips are found to be blocking the vent hole, additional corrective action is required before next flight. This AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown of an airplane equipped with a TAE 125-02-99 engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown or power loss, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. (BHTI) Model 205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters with certain starter/generator power cable assemblies (power cable assemblies). This AD requires replacing the power cable assemblies and their associated parts, and performing continuity readings. This AD was prompted by the determination that the power cable assembly connector (connector) can deteriorate, causing a short in the connector that may lead to a fire in the starter/generator, smoke in the cockpit that reduces visibility, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of chafing on the bottom panel of the center cabin. This AD requires a general visual inspection to determine if certain fasteners are installed, and related investigative and corrective actions. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any chafing on the bottom panel of the center cabin, which could affect the structural integrity of the affected wing-to-fuselage connection.

The FAA is correcting a final rule published on September 7, 2012 (77 FR 55108). In that rule, the FAA amended its regulations to the requirements for siting explosives under a license to operate a launch site. The rule increases flexibility for launch site operators in site planning for the storage and handling of energetic liquids and explosives. The FAA inadvertently did not correctly identify the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board. This document corrects the error.

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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of the 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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-202, -203, -223, -243, -302, -323, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-313 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that a specific batch of cargo doors might have deviations in quality related to door structure, such as irregular bore holes, improper application of sealant and paint, or uncleanliness. This AD requires inspecting to identify the part and serial numbers of the forward and aft cargo doors, and replacing the affected cargo doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent the degraded structural capability of the cargo door, a primary structure, from leading to failure of the door, which could lead to a breach through the door or the door detaching from the airplane, resulting in potential rapid decompression.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the crown area of the fuselage skin, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds repetitive inspections for cracking using different inspection methods and inspecting additional areas, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also requires additional repairs to previously repaired areas and repetitive inspections for loose fasteners and replacement if necessary in certain previously repaired areas. This AD also reduces certain compliance times and extends certain other compliance times. This AD was prompted by additional reports of cracking at the horizontal chem-mill steps away from the lap joints over the entire crown area, and vertical chem-mill cracks adjacent to the butt joints. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin, which could cause the fuselage skin to fracture and fail, and result in rapid decompression of the airplane.