Federal Aviation Administration 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Honeywell International Inc. Model AS907-1-1A and AS907-2-1G engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of compressor surge, including a dual engine compressor surge, during takeoff climb out through a steep temperature inversion, causing a loss of engine thrust control. This proposed AD would require either the replacement of a certain electronic control unit (ECU) software version installed on AS907-1-1A engines with updated software or the replacement of certain ECUs installed on AS907-1-1A engines with ECUs eligible for installation. This proposed AD would also require the replacement of certain ECUs installed on AS907-2-1G engines with ECUs eligible for installation. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Aviation (Dassault) Model Falcon 6X airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with flight-envelope protections, in icing and non-icing conditions, that use high-incidence protection to automatically advance throttles when the airplane angle of attack (AoA) reaches a predetermined value. 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 notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation 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 nor omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-21-11, which applies to all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) Model PW4074D, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines with a low- pressure compressor (LPC) fan hub, part number (P/N) 51B821 or P/N 52B521, installed. AD 2018-21-11 requires performing repetitive eddy current inspections (ECIs) and fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPIs) for cracks in certain LPC fan hubs and removing LPC fan hubs from service that fail any inspection. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-21-11, the FAA determined that affected LPC fan hub assemblies can meet the published certificated life limit without the need for the required repetitive FPI inspections in AD 2018-21-11, and the repetitive ECI inspections require shortened intervals. Based on a report of another incident, the FAA determined that the unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on additional LPC fan hub assemblies and PW model engines. This proposed AD would expand the applicability to include Model PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 engines with any part number LPC fan hub assembly installed and would require performing repetitive ECIs of the LPC fan hub assembly and, depending on the results of the inspections, removal of the LPC fan hub assembly from service. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-260 in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Marion, IA. This action supports new public instrument procedures.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A318 series airplanes; Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, -233, -251N, -252N, - 253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain overheat detection system (OHDS) sensing elements installed at certain positions might not properly detect thermal bleed leak events due to a quality escape during the manufacturing process. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part installed at an affected position and replacement if necessary, and prohibits the installation of affected parts at affected positions, as specified in a 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 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Dassault Aviation (Dassault) Model Falcon 6X 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 requiring flight-control surface position awareness. 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.

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 February 1, 2023. The collection involves voluntary reporting of bird/other wildlife strike information following a wildlife strike incident with aircraft. This data becomes part of the publicly available National Wildlife Strike Database. Strike reports provide critical information that allows the FAA to determine high-risk species, track national trends, evaluate the FAA's wildlife hazard management program, and provide scientific foundation for regulatory guidance. Additionally, this essential information allows engine and airframe manufacturers to evaluate the effectiveness of aircraft components. It also helps airports identify and mitigate hazardous species and the location of wildlife attractants, affords a better understanding of strike dynamics, and provides key metrics for an airport to evaluate the effectiveness of its wildlife management program.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Polk County Airport/ Cornelius Moore Field, Cedartown, Georgia, has been designed as a new instrument approach procedure for this airport. This action would also update this airport's name and geographic coordinates to coincide with the FAA's database.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD is prompted by modifications developed by Airbus to address a report of an emergency exit window that required excessive pushing force to jettison. This AD requires removing skived polytetrafluoroethylene tape (PTFE tape) (if installed) and replacing certain polychloroprene seals with silicone seals, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also prohibits installing a jettisonable window unless the actions required by this AD have been accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Allied Ag Cat Productions, Inc. (Allied Ag Cat) Model G-164A and G-164B airplanes with certain supplemental type certificates (STCs) installed. This AD was prompted by an accident involving an Allied Ag Cat Model G- 164B airplane where the airplane's propeller pitch control (PPC) linkage detached from the PPC of the engine and resulted in an accident that significantly damaged the airplane and injured the pilot. This AD requires installing a secondary retention feature (bolt, washer, and safety wire) on the PPC lever and the PPC assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-05-06 and AD 2021-08-19, which both applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, -9, and -10 airplanes. AD 2018-05-06 required repetitive inspections of the bilge barriers located in the forward and aft cargo compartments for disengaged decompression panels, and reinstalling any disengaged panels; and required replacing the existing decompression panels with new panels and straps, which terminated the repetitive inspections. AD 2021-08-19 required repetitive general visual inspections for disengaged or damaged decompression panels of the bilge barriers located in the forward and aft cargo compartments, reinstallation of disengaged but undamaged panels, and replacement of damaged panels. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple incidents of torn decompression panels found in the bilge area, and the development of new procedures for changing or replacing the bilge barrier assembly in the forward and aft cargo compartments. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2021-08-19 and requires changing or replacing the bilge barrier assembly in the forward and aft cargo compartments, which terminates the repetitive inspections. 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 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159A and G-1159B airplanes and all Model G-IV and GIV-X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the ground spoiler actuator installation does not preclude improper hydraulic line connections that could result in unintended asymmetrical spoiler deployment. This AD requires incorporating corrective actions that physically prevent improper connection of the hydraulic lines to the ground spoiler actuator. 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 De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and - 402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on the horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel, including a finding of corrosion where the skin thickness had been substantially reduced, which affected design margins. This AD requires inspecting the horizontal stabilizer lower center skin panel for corrosion, and reworking, repairing, or replacing the lower center skin panel if 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 Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of broken lower attachment studs on the AFT galley complex. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the lower attachment studs and, depending on findings, replacement of the lower attachment studs, as specified in a 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-18- 09, which applied to all Lockheed Martin Corporation/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Model 382, 382B, 382E, 382F, and 382G airplanes; and Model C-130A, HP-C-130A, EC-130Q, C-130B, and C-130H airplanes. AD 2019-18-09 required a visual inspection of the center wing upper and lower rainbow fittings for cracks, an eddy current inspection of the center wing lower rainbow fittings for cracks, and replacement if necessary. This AD was prompted by an analysis of reported cracks showing repetitive inspections are needed to adequately address cracked inner tangs of the center wing lower rainbow fittings. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the center wing upper and lower rainbow fittings for cracks and replacement if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model Arrius 2B2 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM), introducing new and more restrictive tasks and limitations for certain life-limited parts. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing EMM or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, as specified in a 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of an electrical burning smell in the cabin without the presence of smoke. This proposed AD would require revising the Limitations Section of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for your airplane, as specified in a 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 action revokes Colored Federal airways Blue 38 (B-38) and Blue 40 (B-40) in the vicinity of Haines, AK due to the pending decommissioning of the Haines (HNS) Non-directional Beacon (NDB).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC155B1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failure of the main gearbox (MGB) oil cooling fan hub (fan hub). This proposed AD would require for helicopters with an affected part (fan hub) installed, using an endoscope, repetitively inspecting the fan hub, including the area around the fan hub attachment screws, for a crack. Depending on the inspection results, this proposed AD would require performing additional inspections and replacing an affected fan hub. This proposed AD would also allow an affected fan hub to be installed on a helicopter if certain actions are accomplished, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 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 special conditions for the Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) Model H160B helicopter. This helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for helicopters. This design feature is the extended duration of safe flight beyond 30 minutes after the loss of main gearbox lubrication. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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 action proposes to modify the Class E airspace designated as a surface area and modify the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Ralph M. Calhoun Memorial Airport, Tanana, AK. Additionally, this action proposes several administrative amendments to update the airport's existing Class E airspace legal descriptions. These actions would support the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Sonora, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Sonora non-directional beacon (NDB).