Federal Aviation Administration 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-13- 30, which applies to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes. AD 2005-13-30 currently requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of certain fuselage skin panels located just aft of the wheel well, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 2005-13- 30, an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicates that the fuselage skin is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD), and we have received reports of cracks at the chem-milled steps in the fuselage skin. This proposed AD would add new fuselage skin inspections for cracking, inspections to detect missing or loose fasteners and any disbonding or cracking of bonded doublers, permanent repairs of time- limited repairs, related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and skin panel replacement. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin panels, which could cause rapid decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 series engines. This AD was prompted by reports of heat damage to the strut aft fairing heat shield primary seal, as well as heat and wear damage to the heat shield insulation blankets. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks and heat damage to the strut aft fairing lower spar web structure (a flammable fluid zone barrier), for wear to the heat shield primary seal, and, as applicable, for heat and wear damage to heat shield insulation blankets; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks and heat damage to the strut aft fairing lower spar web structure (a flammable fluid zone barrier), wear to the heat shield primary seal, and heat and wear damage to heat shield insulation blankets, which could lead to through-cracks in the aft fairing lower web structure and heating of the aft fairing lower web structure, and consequent uncontrolled fire in the aft fairing, fuel tank ignition or possible departure of the engine.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Viking Air Limited Model DHC-3 airplanes that are modified with the Baron Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) kit (Supplemental Type Certificate SA94-114 or SA 00287NY). 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 a center of gravity that is too far aft contributing to a stall during takeoff and loss of control during other phases of flight. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-05- 02, for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2015-05-02 requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new, more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since we issued AD 2015-05-02, an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicates that principal structural elements and certain life limited parts are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised structural inspection requirements. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking, accidental damage, or corrosion in principal structural elements, and WFD, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-11- 13, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes. AD 2007-11-13 currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new removal limits for certain components of the flap system and to reduce the inspection interval s for fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSE). Since we issued AD 2007-11-13, a new Airworthiness Limitations Instructions (ALI) revision was released that incorporates nondestructive inspection (NDI) techniques and reduced repetitive inspection intervals for three PSEs. We have determined that these reduced intervals are necessary to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate reduced intervals for the inspections for three PSEs and add NDI techniques to the inspection process. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain PSEs. Such cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Boise, ID for the Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field), Boise, Idaho under the provisions of 40 U.S.C 47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements. The FAA also announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for Boise Air Terminal (Gowen Field) under Part 150 in conjunction with the Noise Exposure Map, and that this program will be approved or disapproved on or before October 29, 2016.

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. Aircraft registration is necessary to ensure personal accountability among all users of the national airspace system. Aircraft registration also allows the FAA and law enforcement agencies to address non-compliance by providing the means by which to identify an aircraft's owner and operator.

This action corrects the notice of proposed policy published on May 3, 2016. In that document, the FAA solicited comments on a proposal to amend its ``Notice of Policy Regarding the Eligibility of Airport Ground Access Transportation Projects for Funding Under the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) Program,'' \1\ regarding the requirements for PFC funding of on-airport, rail access projects. This document corrects errors in the docket number and contact information.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2, -1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, -1B70C/ P2, -1B70/75/P2, and -1B74/75/P2 turbofan engines with engine assembly, part number (P/N) 2447M10G01 or P/N 2447M10G02, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a significant fan rub event. This proposed AD would require rework of the engine fan stator module assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the fan blades and the load reduction device, loss of power to one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by two in-service incidents of a loss of all air data information in the flight deck. This proposed AD would require a revision of the airplane flight manual (AFM) emergency procedures section to provide procedures to guide the crew on how to stabilize the airplane airspeed and attitude for continued safe flight when a loss of all air data information has occurred in the flight deck. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of control when a loss of all air data information has occurred in the flight deck.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of intergranular cracks on the front spar chord lugs of the outboard horizontal stabilizer. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the front spar chord lugs and lug bores of the horizontal stabilizer, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the front spar chord lugs of the horizontal stabilizer. Such cracking could cause stabilizer instability, adversely affect controllability of the airplane, and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 Freighter, -200, and -300 series airplanes; and Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fuel leaking through fuel pump electrical connectors and fuel pump electrical connector damage caused by the build-up of moisture behind the electrical connector. Electrical connectors that become damaged by moisture can create an ignition source and a fuel leak. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the fuel pumps to identify their part numbers and replacement of affected pumps. We are proposing this AD to prevent a potential ignition source and a fuel leak due to damaged fuel pump electrical connectors. This condition creates a flammability risk in an area adjacent to the fuel tank.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that cracks were found on an adjacent hole of certain frames of the center wing box (CWB). This AD requires removing fasteners, doing a rototest inspection of fastener holes, installing new fasteners, oversizing the holes and doing rototest inspections for cracks if necessary, and repairing any cracking that is found. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking on certain holes of certain frames of the CWB that could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

This action amends the airspace designation and airport name in Class E airspace by changing the designation from Cherokee Village Airport, AR, to Ash Flat, AR; and changing the airport name from Cherokee Village Airport to Sharp County Village Airport, Ash Flat, AR. These changes reflect the current information in the FAAs aeronautical database.

This action proposes to establish Class E en route domestic airspace in the Linton Municipal Airport, Linton, ND area, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations within the National Airspace System (NAS).

This action proposes to establish Class E en route domestic airspace in the Harvey Municipal Airport, Harvey, ND area, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Minneapolis Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations within the National Airspace System.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of draft Advisory Circular, (AC) 150/5360-14A, Access to Airports by Individuals with Disabilities, for public review. This AC will provide guidance and recommendations for ensuring access to airports by individuals with disabilities. The draft AC substantially revises and incorporates regulatory updates and recommendations for Service Animal Relief Areas (SARA) at airports. The draft AC was rewritten to improve readability, and to simplify and clarify the regulations for airport operators regarding airport access by individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the FAA is interested in public input regarding the use of wayfinding technologies and other technology innovations at airports.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of airspeed indication discrepancies while flying at high altitudes in inclement weather. This AD requires replacing certain pitot probes on the captain, first officer, and standby sides with certain new pitot probes. We are issuing this AD to prevent airspeed indication discrepancies during inclement weather, which, depending on the prevailing altitude, could lead to unknown accumulation of ice crystals and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 75-26-05 for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 204B, 205A-1 and 212 helicopters. AD 75-26-05 currently requires removing and visually inspecting each main rotor (M/R) blade and, depending on the inspection's outcome, repairing or replacing the M/R blades. This proposed AD would require more frequent inspections of certain M/R blades and would also apply to Model 205A helicopters. This proposed AD would have no requirement that helicopter blades be removed to conduct the initial visual inspections. These proposed actions are intended to detect a crack and prevent failure of an M/R blade and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

These special conditions are issued for the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVII-G500 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with side-facing seats. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This action modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, Class E surface area airspace designated as an extension, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Walla Walla Regional Airport, Walla Walla, WA. After a review of the airspace, the FAA found it necessary to amend the airspace areas for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for arriving and departing aircraft at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of Walla Walla Regional Airport in the respective Class D and E airspace areas above.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 series airplanes. This AD requires a detailed inspection for correct installation of the flex hose clamp of the occupant backup air supply and a general visual inspection for damage of the flex hose, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that flex hoses of the occupant backup air supply were found disconnected from the adjacent fiberglass duct on two airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct an incorrect clamp installation on the inboard end of the flex hose, which allows the flex hose to slowly become disconnected from the adjacent fiberglass duct, and damage to the hose. This condition, in conjunction with a cargo fire event, can potentially lead to decreased airflow to the main deck, possibly resulting in smoke and/ or toxic fumes penetrating into the main deck passenger compartment, which could result in injury to the passengers or cabin crew.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This proposed AD would require modifying the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) to prevent development of an ignition source inside the center fuel tank due to electrical fault conditions. This proposed AD would also provide optional actions for cargo airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent ignition sources inside the center fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320-214, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Airbus Model A321- 211 and -231 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrect installation of jiffy joint connectors on cables connected to certain passenger service units (PSUs), which could cause the passenger oxygen container to malfunction if the connector becomes disengaged during flight due to vibration. This AD requires identification of the affected PSUs, and depending on findings, doing applicable related investigative and corrective actions. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the door of the passenger oxygen container to open in the event of airplane decompression, resulting in lack of oxygen supply and consequent injury to occupants.