Federal Aviation Administration 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee meeting. The notice was previously published (81 FR 18933) in the April 1, 2016 issue of the Federal Register.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at the Humboldt Municipal, Humboldt, Iowa, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

This notice announces the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) intent to cancel the following Technical Standard Orders (TSOs): -C42, Propeller Feathering Hose Assemblies; -C53c, Fuel and Engine Oil System Hose Assemblies; and -C75, Hydraulic Hose Assemblies. The intent is to combine the updated requirements of the aforementioned TSOs into TSO-C140, Aerospace Fuel, Engine Oil, and Hydraulic Hose Assemblies. The impact of cancelling these TSOs will not affect current design or production approvals for an existing TSO-C42, -C53c, or -C75 authorization (TSOA). However, modifications to TSO-C42, -C53c, and - C75 TSOAs will no longer be accepted after the effective cancellation date. Generally, we will not accept applications for the previous revisions after the cancellation date of these TSOs. We may do so, however, up to six months after publication of this cancellation notice if we know that work was being done against the prior minimum performance standard before the cancellations became effective. Articles approved under those cancelled TSOAs may continue to be produced under the provisions of their original approvals.

This action proposes to amend Class D and E airspace at Sioux Gateway/Col. Bud Day Field, Sioux City, IA, due to the decommissioning of the Gateway non-directional radio beacon (NDB) and cancellation of the NDB approaches at the airport. The Class E airspace area designated as an extension would be removed as it is no longer needed. Advances in Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities have made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would update the geographic coordinates for Martin Field, NE, to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-223F and -243F airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of missing fasteners in certain locations of the fuselage during production. This AD would require inspecting for missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed fasteners; and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the fuselage due to missing, damaged, or incorrectly installed fasteners, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fractured forward attach fittings of the inboard flap outboard aft flap track. The fractured fittings were determined to be the result of corrosion pits forming on the inside diameter of the fittings. This AD requires an inspection for the affected part number and serial number of the main flap; various additional repetitive inspections of the fitting, if necessary; and replacement of the fitting or nested bushing installation, if necessary, which would terminate the inspections. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fracture of the fitting, which could result in the loss of the inboard aft flap and could lead to a punctured fuselage, causing injury to the flightcrew and passengers, and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by investigation results that determined that a certain thickness of the fuel tank panels is insufficient to meet the certification requirements. This proposed AD would require inspecting the thickness of the fuel tank panels, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct improper thickness of the fuel tank panels. Improper thickness increases the risk of damaging and puncturing a fuel tank wall panel as a result of a high energy lightning strike, which could lead to loss of electrical power and/or other essential functions, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane or ignition of a fuel tank.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL- 600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a number of incorrectly calibrated angle of attack (AOA) transducers installed in the stall protection system. This AD requires replacement of affected AOA transducers. We are issuing this AD to detect and replace incorrectly calibrated AOA transducers; incorrect calibration of the transducers could result in late activation of the stick pusher.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes, and all Airbus Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of blockage of Angle of Attack (AOA) probes during climb, leading to activation of the Alpha Protection (Alpha Prot) while the Mach number increased. This activation could cause a continuous nose-down pitch rate that cannot be stopped with backward sidestick input, even in the full backward position. For certain airplanes, this AD requires replacing certain AOA sensors (probes) with certain new AOA sensors. For certain other airplanes, this AD also requires inspections and functional heat testing of certain AOA sensors for discrepancies, and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent erroneous AOA information and Alpha Prot activation due to blocked AOA probes, which could result in a continuous nose-down command and loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of a certain part-numbered main rotor hub torsion bar (torsion bar). This AD was prompted by several cases of corrosion in the metal strands of the torsion bar. The actions of this AD are intended to detect corrosion and prevent failure of the torsion bar, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This rulemaking relieves burdens on pilots seeking to obtain aeronautical experience, training, and certification by increasing the allowed use of aviation training devices. These actions are necessary to bring the regulations in line with the current capabilities of aviation training devices and the needs and activities of the general aviation training community and pilots.

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.

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.

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 Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a design review, which found that the burst pressure of the flexible hose used to vent oxygen from the high- pressure relief valve of the oxygen cylinder overboard is lower than the opening pressure of the high-pressure relief valve. This pressure difference could cause the flexible hose to burst before it is able to vent excess oxygen overboard. This proposed AD would require replacement of flexible relief hoses for the crew oxygen bottles with new metal design relief hoses. We are proposing this AD to prevent the accumulation of excess oxygen in an enclosed space, which could, if near a source of ignition, cause an uncontrolled oxygen-fed fire.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL (type certificate previously held by Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd.) airplanes that would supersede AD 2006-13-05. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as some critical rivets on the wing not being fully age- hardened and being installed in specific locations where reduction in rivet strength reduces wing strength. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt 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 proposed AD was prompted by reports of spurious terrain awareness warning system (TAWS) alerts during approach and takeoff for airplanes fitted with the terrain and traffic collision avoidance system with transponder (T3CAS) when the T3CAS is constantly powered ``ON'' for more than 149 hours. This proposed AD would require repetitive on-ground power cycle of the T3CAS. We are proposing this AD to prevent spurious TAWS alerts (Collision Prediction and Alerting (CPA), or missing legitimate CPA), which could increase flight crew workload during critical landing or takeoff phases, and possibly result in reduced control 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), Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), Model CL-600- 2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of corrosion found on the slat and flap torque tubes in the slat and flap control system. This proposed AD would require replacement of the slat and flap torque tubes in the slat and flap control system. We are proposing this AD to prevent rupture of a corroded slat or flap torque tube. This condition could result in an inoperative slat or flap system and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GE90-76B, GE90-77B, GE90-85B, GE90-90B, and GE90-94B turbofan engines with high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 8-10 spool, part numbers (P/Ns) 1694M80G04, 1844M90G01, or 1844M90G02, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found on the seal teeth of the HPC stage 8-10 spool. This proposed AD would require eddy current inspections (ECIs) or fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) of the HPC stage 8-10 spool seal teeth and removing from service those parts that fail inspection. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPC stage 8-10 spool, uncontained rotor release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4, EC130T2, AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This proposed AD would require inspecting each bi-directional suspension cross-bar (cross-bar) for a crack. This proposed AD is prompted by two reports of cracks in a cross-bar. The proposed actions are intended to detect cracks in a cross-bar and prevent failure of the cross-bar and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each TECALEMIT flexible hydraulic hose (hose) installed in the main gearbox (MGB) compartment and replacing the hose if a crack, cut, or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by reports about the loss of in-flight hydraulic pressure on Eurocopter France helicopters. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent loss of the hydraulic system and consequently, loss of helicopter control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) inspections for any cracking in the left and right side center wing lower skin, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking at certain stringers, associated end fittings, and skins in the center wing fuel tank where the stringers meet the end fittings. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the center wing lower skin. Such cracking could cause structural failure of the wings.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-20-13 for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-28-161, PA-28-181, and PA-28R- 201 airplanes. AD 2015-20-13 required inspecting the right wing rib at wing station 140.09 for cracks and taking necessary corrective action. This AD retains the actions for AD 2015-20-13 and adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports that additional airplanes have been found with the same cracks. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235-200 and CN-235-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of false engine fire warning events, which consequently led to engine in-flight shutdowns. This AD requires modification of the location and routing of the engine fire detection system. We are issuing this AD to prevent unnecessary engine in-flight shutdown, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-18-08 for all Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. AD 95-18-08 required repetitive inspections to detect cracks in the bottom skin of the wing in the area of the cut-out for the pylon rear attachment fitting, and repair if necessary. This new AD, for certain airplanes, reduces the compliance times for the inspections. This AD was prompted by a report that updated fatigue and damage tolerance analyses and a fleet survey found that certain inspection thresholds and intervals must be reduced to allow more timely findings of cracking. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue-related cracking in the bottom skin of the wing in the area of the cut-out for the pylon rear attachment fitting, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing.