Federal Aviation Administration May 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS365N3, EC155B, and EC155B1 helicopters with an external life raft in the footsteps with certain part-numbered junction units. This AD requires inspecting the junction units of the external life raft deployment system for corrosion, removing any corrosion, and performing certain measurements to determine whether the junction unit must be replaced. This AD is prompted by failure of a life raft deployment test and corrosion damage inside the left-hand junction unit. These actions are intended to prevent failure of an external life raft to deploy preventing evacuation of passengers during an emergency.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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 withdrawing a previously published direct final rule that would have prohibited fixed-wing special visual flight rules operations at Washington-Dulles International Airport. The FAA is withdrawing this action because it has received an adverse comment.

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 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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 publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Enstrom Helicopter Corporation (Enstrom) Model F-28A, 280, F-28C, F- 28C-2, F-28C-2R, 280C, F-28F, F-28F-R, 280F, 280FX, and 480 helicopters. This AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters and supersedes Emergency AD (EAD) 2015- 04-51, dated February 12, 2015. This AD requires inspecting certain main rotor spindles (spindles) for cracks and reporting the inspection results to the FAA. This AD is prompted by a fatal accident and reports of spindles with cracks. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect a crack in a spindle and prevent loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to fund, construct, and operate a new Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Base Building at the General Wayne A. DowningPeoria International Airport (PIA), Peoria, Illinois. The FAA's preferred alternative is to construct the ATCT at a location approximately 1,000 feet east of the PIA terminal building. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve operational efficiency, meet existing and future operational and administrative expansion requirements, and accommodate state-of-the-art equipment upgrades. The need for the project is to provide a replacement ATCT, as the existing ATCT was constructed as part of the original terminal building, which is planned to be demolished. A new ATCT and Base Building at PIA would be able to meet these needs. The FAA has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) in conformance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures. The DEA analyzes the potential environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of the proposed new ATCT and Base Building at the proposed site, as well as the no action alternative (i.e., not constructing and operating the new ATCT).

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2002-13- 11 for Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2002-13-11 currently requires installing front and side covers on the cabin floor to protect the yaw control at both the pilot and co-pilot stations. Since we issued AD 2002-13-11, we have determined that the required actions should apply only to the cabin's right-hand pilot station. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2002-13-11 but for only the pilot station. These proposed actions are intended to prevent an object from sliding between the canopy and the cabin floor, loss of yaw control, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of unreliable performance of the fuel scavenge system. This proposed AD would require changing the main fuel tank water scavenge system, center fuel tank fuel scavenge system, certain electrical panels; related investigative actions, and corrective actions if necessary; and for certain airplanes, changing to give redundant control of the center override/jettison fuel pumps and main jettison fuel pumps. We are proposing this AD to prevent fuel exhaustion and subsequent power loss of all engines due to loss of capability to scavenge fuel in the center fuel tank.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead webs are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for any crack in the aft webs of the radial lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead, and, if necessary, corrective actions. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the aft webs of the radial lap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane and decompression of the cabin.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Audubon County Airport, Audubon, IA; Corning Municipal Airport, Corning, IA; Ellen Church Field Airport, Cresco, IA; Eagle Grove Municipal Airport, Eagle Grove, IA; Guthrie County Regional Airport, Guthrie Center, IA; Hampton Municipal Airport, Hampton, IA; Harlan Municipal Airport, Harlan, IA; Iowa Falls Municipal Airport, Iowa Falls, IA; Knoxville Municipal Airport, Knoxville, IA; Oelwein Municipal Airport, Oelwein, IA; and Red Oak Municipal Airport, Red Oak, IA. Decommissioning of the non-directional radio beacons (NDB) and/or cancellation of NDB approaches due to advances in Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-601, B4-603, and B4-605R airplanes; Model A300 F4- 605R airplanes; Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes; and Model A310- 204 and -304 airplanes; powered by General Electric (GE) Model CF6-80C2 series engines. This AD was prompted by reports of two single-engine flameout events during inclement weather. This AD requires installing a shunt of the rotary selector (introducing an auto-relight function); and, for certain airplanes, a wiring modification to a certain circuit breaker panel. We are issuing this AD to prevent a long engine restart sequence after a non-selection of continuous relight by the crew and a flameout event of both engines, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, especially at low altitude.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the main equipment center (MEC) drip shield and exhaust plenum. This AD requires installing a fiberglass reinforcing overcoat on the MEC drip shield. We are issuing this AD to prevent water penetration into the MEC, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

This action amends Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) No. 77, ``Prohibition Against Certain Flights Within the Territory and Airspace of Iraq,'' which prohibits certain flight operations in the territory and airspace of Iraq by all United States (U.S.) air carriers; U.S. commercial operators; persons exercising the privileges of a U.S. airman certificate, except when such persons are operating a U.S.-registered civil aircraft for a foreign air carrier; and operators of U.S.-registered civil aircraft, except when such operators are foreign air carriers. On August 8, 2014, the FAA issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) prohibiting flight operations in the ORBB FIR at all altitudes, subject to certain limited exceptions, due to the armed conflict in Iraq. This amendment to SFAR No. 77 incorporates the flight prohibition set forth in the August 8, 2014, NOTAM into the rule. The FAA is also revising the approval process for this SFAR for other U.S. Government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, to align with the approval process established for other recently published flight prohibition SFARs. This final rule will remain in effect for two years.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Albion Municipal Airport, Albion, NE; Rock County Airport, Bassett, NE; and Jim Kelly Field Airport, Lexington, NE. Decommissioning of the non- directional radio beacons (NDB) and/or cancellation of NDB approaches due to advances in Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the above airports. Also, the geographic coordinates would be updated for Rock County Airport and Jim Kelly Field Airport.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-14- 09, for certain Airbus Model A320-211, -212, and -231 airplanes. AD 2004-14-09 currently requires repetitive inspections for fatigue cracking of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, and repair if necessary; and modification of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since we issued AD 2004-14-09, we have determined that, based on the average flight duration, the average weight of fuel at landing is higher than that defined for the analysis of the fatigue- related tasks; and that shot peening might have been improperly done on the chromic acid anodizing (CAA) protection, which would adversely affect fatigue crack protection. This proposed AD would reduce the compliance times for the repetitive inspections, and would require a repair for certain airplanes. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the lower surface panel on the wing center box, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 (Challenger 300) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of chafing found on an electrical wiring harness in the aft equipment bay, caused by contact between the wiring harness and a neighboring hydraulic line. This proposed AD would require an inspection, repair if necessary, and modification of the wiring harness installation to ensure that the wiring harness routing is correct and a minimum clearance between the wire and the hydraulic line is maintained. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing on an electrical wiring harness, which could cause an electrical short circuit or lead to a malfunction of the flight control system, the engine indication system, or the hydraulic power control system, and adversely affect the continued safe operation and landing of the airplane.

This action proposes to establish and modify Class E airspace at Bremerton National Airport, Bremerton, WA, to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Bremerton National airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on December 22, 2014. Information is used to determine if licensees have complied with financial responsibility requirements (including maximum probable loss determination) as set forth in FAA regulations.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the eighth meeting of the RTCA Subcommittee 228.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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 certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, - 400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of significant fuselage skin damage at certain parts of the dorsal fairing, due to wear from the dorsal fairing. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for wear and cracks of the fuselage skin under the dorsal fairing, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require repetitive post-repair external surface high frequency eddy current inspections of the blended areas of the skin and detailed inspections of the unrepaired areas, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fuselage skin damage of the dorsal fairing area, which could result in skin cracking and consequent depressurization of the airplane.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Model EC225LP helicopters. This AD requires repetitive visual and tap test inspections of each main rotor blade (blade) leading edge stainless steel protective strip (strip) for a crack, cut, or blind or open debonding (debonding), and taking approved corrective measures. If there is a crack or if there is debonding that exceeds acceptable limits, this AD requires, before further flight, repairing or replacing the blade with an airworthy part. This AD was prompted by suspected water seepage through a crack in the blade strip resulting in significant debonding. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent loss of the blade strip, excessive vibrations induced by blade weight imbalance, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F.27 Mark 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a design review, which revealed that no controlled bonding provisions are present on a number of critical locations inside the fuel tank or connected to the fuel tank wall; and no anti-spray cover is installed on the fuel shut-off valve (FSOV) in both wings. This proposed AD would require installing additional bonding provisions in the fuel tank, installing an anti- spray cover on the FSOV, and revising the airplane maintenance program by incorporating fuel airworthiness limitation items and critical design configuration control limitations. We are proposing this AD to prevent an ignition source in the fuel tank vapor space, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.