Federal Aviation Administration 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of DC motor pump (DCMP) failures during production flight tests. This AD requires installing a redesigned DCMP electric motor assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a broken Titanium (Ti) bolt. This AD requires removing certain Ti-bolts from service and prohibits installing these Ti-bolts in a critical area. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-12-51, which applies to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2016-12-51 prohibits all further flight of Model AS332L2 and Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2016-12-51 was prompted by an accident in which the main rotor hub detached from the main gearbox (MGB). Since the FAA issued AD 2016-12-51, the design approval holder has developed procedures that address failure of the main rotor system. This proposed AD would require replacing certain second stage planet gear assemblies, removing certain epicyclic modules, installing a full flow magnetic plug (FFMP), revising the existing rotorcraft flight manual (RFM) for your helicopter, repetitively inspecting the MGB particle detectors, repetitively inspecting the MGB oil filter and oil cooler, and corrective action if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The actions specified in the proposed AD would terminate the flight prohibition. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is considering a proposal to change 0.50 acres (future Parcel 17D) of Clear Zone Easement contained in Parcel 17B to Avigation Easement in exchange for converting 2.94 acres of land currently not controlled by the Airport Sponsor (future Parcel 36) to an Avigation Easement for approach protection. Both Parcel 17B and future Parcel 36 are owned by Crossing Rivers Health Center (and are being sold to a commercial developer) and located adjacent to Prairie du Chien Municipal Airport, Prairie du Chien, WI. The proposed release of 0.50 acres of Clear Zone Easement to Avigation Easement is not in the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). The release of 0.50 acres from Clear Zone Easement to Avigation Easement is required to allow development on the property that is being sold by the Crossing Rivers Health Center. The conversion from Clear Zone Easement to Avigation Easement will not result in any impact to surfaces protected by Part 77 or airport design surfaces. The Clear Zone Easement was originally purchased to enable the Airport to ensure airport compatible land use. The proposed future use of 0.50 acres of the land will be a compatible land use.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of wear damage found between the bonding clamps and the fuel feed tubes inside the left- and right-hand fuel tanks. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the fuel feed tubes for damage, replacement if necessary, and modification of the fuel feed line installation inside the left- and right-hand fuel tanks, which would terminate the repetitive inspections, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at South Texas Regional Airport at Hondo, Hondo, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Hondo non- directional beacon (NDB). The name and geographic coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend the Class D airspace and Class E airspace at Columbus, OH, and revoke the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Dan Darby Airport, Columbus, OH. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Rickenbacker International Airport runway 5R middle marker and the cancellation of instrument procedures at Dan Darby Airport. The name and geographic coordinates of various airports would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by corrosion on the inlet check valve banjo fitting of emergency flotation system (EFS) float assemblies. This proposed AD would require visually inspecting each banjo fitting installed on an affected EFS float assembly, and depending on the results, removing the banjo fitting from service. This proposed AD would also require applying corrosion inhibiting compound to each banjo fitting installed on an affected EFS float assembly and prohibit installing an affected EFS float assembly unless the banjo fitting inspection, banjo fitting replacement, and corrosion inhibiting compound application requirements have been accomplished as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a meeting of the NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new airworthiness limitations for structural inspections and safe life components are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-17- 08, which applied to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2015-17-08 required installing new cable assemblies with a pull-down resistor. This AD requires modifications to the nose wheel steering (NWS) system. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that several failure modes of the NWS system may cause the loss of feedback from both rotary variable differential transformers to the steering control unit. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 and Model MBB- BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a determination that a life limit for the adapter forward (FWD) of the outboard load system, repetitive inspections of other components of that system, and for certain helicopters, a modification of the outboard load system, are necessary to address the unsafe condition. This AD requires a modification of the outboard load system for certain helicopters, repetitive inspections of the outboard load system and its components for any defect (including cracking, damage, corrosion, and incorrect installation) and applicable corrective actions, and implementation of a new life limit for the FWD adapter, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes (Boeing) Model 737-800 airplane. This airplane, as modified by Haeco Cabin Solutions (Haeco), 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 structure-mounted airbags designed to protect each occupant from serious head injury in the event of an emergency landing. 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.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by two events of uncommanded emergency flotation system (EFS) deployment during flight. This proposed AD would require replacing certain part-numbered EFS control panels and prohibit installing them. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action removes Colored Federal airway, R-50, and amends Alaskan VOR Federal airway, V-319, and United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Routes T-219 and T-269 in Alaska. The modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Nanwak Non- Directional Beacon (NDB) and Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) in Mekoryuk, AK, which provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected routes. The Nanwak NDB/DME (AIX) is to be decommissioned effective June 17, 2021 due to the high cost of maintenance.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-19-11 for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. AD 2020-19-11 requires repetitive borescope inspections of the 90-degree tail rotor gearbox (TGB) and depending on the inspection results, removing the TGB from service. Since the FAA issued AD 2020- 19-11, it was determined that additional parts may be susceptible to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the inspection requirements of AD 2020-19-11, and revise the compliance time and applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action removes VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-242 in the northcentral United States to reflect changes being made by NAV CANADA in Canadian airspace. The airway removal is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Atikokan, Ontario (ON), Canada, NDB navigation aid (NAVAID), which provides navigation guidance for V-242. The Atikokan NDB is being decommissioned as part of NAV CANADA's NAVAID Modernization Program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters. This AD was prompted by the failure of a second stage planet gear installed in the main gearbox (MGB). This AD requires repetitively inspecting the MGB particle detector and the MGB bottom housing (oil sump) for metal particles, analyzing any metal particles that are found, and replacement of the MGB if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model BO-105A, BO-105C, BO- 105S, and BO-105LS A-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that aging of the elastomeric material in a tension torsion strap (TT-strap) could affect the structural characteristics of the TT-strap. This AD requires replacement of certain TT-straps with serviceable parts and implementation of a new storage life limit for TT-straps, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Palestine Municipal Airport, Palestine, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review due to the decommissioning of the Palestine non- directional beacon (NDB). The geographical coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in Muscle Shoals, AL, due to the decommissioning of the Muscle Shoals Very High Frequency Omni- Directional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC), and cancellation of the associated approach at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport. This action would also update the airport name under the Class E surface airspace. This action would also make an editorial change replacing the term Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement in the legal descriptions of associated Class E airspace. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to supersede AD 2002-08-16, which applies to certain Eurocopter France SA341G, SA342J, and SA-360C helicopters. The NPRM proposed to require removing certain main rotor head torsion tie bars (tie bars) from service and revising the limitations section of the existing maintenance manual for your helicopter by adding life limits for those tie bars. The NPRM was prompted by the determination that another part- numbered tie bar was affected by the same unsafe condition. This action reopens the comment period because a significant amount of time has elapsed since the NPRM was published. This action also revises the NPRM by updating the type certificate holder's name, updating the estimated cost information, clarifying the requirements and compliance times, and adding parts installation prohibitions. The FAA is proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, the agency is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directives (AD) 2000-23- 04 R1 and AD 2018-20-14, which applied to certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 airplanes. AD 2000-23-04 R1 and AD 2018-20-14 required revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new and/or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters. This AD was prompted by false simultaneous in-flight disengagement of automatic flight control system (AFCS) channels 1 and 2. This AD requires temporarily revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter. This AD also requires installing an AFCS software upgrade and concurrently removing that RFM revision. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.