Federal Aviation Administration 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace Designated as an Extension to a Class D Surface Area by removing the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part time status for Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field, Hagerstown, MD. Also, this action would amend Class D and Class E airspace at Hagerstown, MD by recognizing the name change to Hagerstown Regional Airport-Richard A. Henson Field, and updating the geographic coordinates of the airport. This action would enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the Noise Exposure Maps submitted by the Great Falls International Airport Authority for the Great Falls International Airport 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack of the forward leg of the left front spar lower chord and cracks on the lower wing skin at three fastener holes common to the nacelle outboard side load fitting. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks on the front spar lower chord, inspar skin, and wing skin, and corrective action if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the forward leg of the front spar lower chord, inspar skin, and wing skin common to the nacelle outboard side load fitting, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the wing.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Moriarty, NM. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures developed at Moriarty Airport, for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes 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 for the 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 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each tail rotor (T/R) pitch link (link) bearing bore for corrosion and pitting and either replacing the T/R link or applying sealant. This AD also requires a recurring inspection of the sealant and repeating the inspections for corrosion and pitting if any sealant is missing. This AD is prompted by an incident in which a helicopter experienced an in-flight failure of a T/R link. These actions are intended to detect corrosion or pitting and to prevent failure of a T/R link and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model A109A and A109AII helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD requires checking and inspecting each main rotor blade (blade) for a crack and replacing any cracked blade before further flight. This AD is prompted by abnormal vibrations leading to a precautionary landing and a post-flight inspection finding of a crack in a blade. These actions are intended to detect a crack in a blade and prevent failure of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

These special conditions are issued for Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 2000EX airplanes. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with a vision system that displays video imagery on the head-up display (HUD). 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 5X airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is an electronic flight-control system with pilot controls through a side stick instead of a conventional control stick. 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.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. Paragraph (i)(4) of the regulatory text contains a reference to a nonexistent paragraph. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

This action proposes to remove Class D airspace at Pearson Field, Vancouver, WA. FAA Joint Order 7400.2K states that non-towered airports requiring a surface area will be designated Class E. Class E surface area airspace was established on December 10, 2015. The FAA is proposing this action due to the lack of an operating air traffic control tower at Pearson Field Airport, Vancouver, WA.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31-350 airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the fuel hose assembly and the turbocharger support assembly for proper clearance between them, inspecting each assembly for any sign of damage, and making any necessary repairs or replacements. The NPRM was prompted by a report of an engine fire caused by a leak in the fuel pump inlet hose. This action revises the NPRM by requiring the use of revised procedures in a new service bulletin. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to correct the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-5B series turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a corrected lifing analysis by the engine manufacturer that shows the need to identify an initial and repetitive inspection threshold for certain part number (P/N) turbine rear frames (TRFs). This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of certain P/N TRFs on the low-pressure turbine (LPT) frame assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the TRF on the LPT frame assembly, which could lead to engine separation, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, and - 115 airplanes; Model A320-214 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -211, -212, and -213 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked cadmium-plated lock nuts that attach the hinge to the fan cowl door. This AD requires inspecting to determine the serial number of each engine fan cowl door, inspecting for cracking of the hinge lock nuts of any affected door, and replacing the lock nuts if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the hinge lock nuts, which could result in separation of the hinge from the fan cowl door, in-flight loss of the door, and consequent damage to the airplane.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action reopens the comment period for the NPRM published September 10, 2015, proposing to expand the restricted airspace at Chincoteague Inlet, VA. This reopening of the comment period is necessary because a chart depicting the proposed airspace was not available prior to the original comment period closing date. This action will ensure that interested persons have the opportunity to view the chart and submit comments regarding the proposal.

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.

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) 2012-11- 15, for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model 4101 airplanes. AD 2012-11-15 currently requires a one-time detailed inspection for cracks, corrosion, and other defects of the rear face of the wing rear spar, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 2012-11-15, we received new reports of cracking found in the wing rear spar and technical analysis results confirmed that the crack initiation and propagation are due to fatigue, with no indication of any other crack initiation mechanism (e.g. stress corrosion). This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the wing rear spar, which could propagate to a critical length, possibly affecting the structural integrity of the area and resulting in a fuel tank rupture, with consequent damage to the airplane and possible injury to its occupants.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) Model K-1200 helicopters. This proposed AD would require revising the ``Flight LimitationsNO LOAD'' and ``Flight LimitationsLOAD'' sections of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This proposed AD is prompted by a report of certain flight maneuvers that may lead to main rotor (M/R) blade to opposing hub contact. The proposed actions are intended to prevent damage to the M/R flight controls and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-10- 03, for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2015-10-03 currently requires a detailed inspection for visible chrome of each affected main landing gear (MLG) sidestay upper cardan pin, associated nuts, and retainer assembly; pin replacement if needed; measurement of cardan pin clearance dimensions (gap check); corrective actions if necessary; and a report of all findings. Since we issued AD 2015-10-03, further investigation concluded that the reported MLG sidestay upper cardan pin migration event had been caused by corrosion due to lack of jointing compound and inadequate sealant application during the MLG installation. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the upper cardan pin and nut threads for any corrosion, pitting, or thread damage, and if necessary, replacement of the cardan pin and nut threads. This proposed AD would also revise the applicability to include additional airplane models. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct migration of the sidestay upper cardan pin, which could result in disconnection of the sidestay upper arm from the airplane structure, and could result in a landing gear collapse and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

We are revising airworthiness directive (AD) 2015-12-09 for Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135T1, EC135P2, EC135T2, EC135P2+, EC135T2+, and MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. AD 2015-12-09 required inspecting certain washers for movement and making the appropriate repairs if the washers move. As published, AD 2015-12-09 referenced an incorrect date for the service information in the Credit for Previous Actions section. This AD corrects the error while retaining the requirements of AD 2015-12-09. These actions are intended to prevent loss of concerned control axis and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.