14 CFR Chapter III, Subchapter C - LICENSING

We are revising an earlier notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-05-02, which applies to all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233, and A321 series airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by proposing to require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new or revised structural inspection requirements and adding airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to address 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 revising an earlier notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-500 and -600 series airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by including new inspection locations for certain airplanes, and removing incorrect part numbers. We are proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions impose an additional burden over those proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-08-01, for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2014-08-01 currently requires an inspection for part numbers of the interconnecting struts and, for affected interconnecting struts, identification of the part and serial numbers of the associated target and proximity sensors and replacement or re-identification of the flap interconnecting strut if necessary. Since we issued AD 2014-08-01, we have determined that certain airplanes must be inspected to verify the interconnecting strut part number. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of low clearance in the aft equipment bay between auxiliary power unit (APU) generator power cables and a hydraulic line, which can cause damage to wire insulation. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the APU generator power cables and the adjacent hydraulic line for damage, and repair, if necessary; and modification of the APU generator power cable installation. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking found at a certain fuselage frame inner chord. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for any cracking of a certain fuselage frame inner chord; for certain airplanes, an identification of the material of a certain fuselage frame inner chord; and applicable corrective actions. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to modify Class D airspace, Class E airspace designated as a surface area, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and remove Class E airspace designated as an extension of Class D airspace at Kenosha Regional Airport, Kenosha, WI. The FAA is proposing this action due to the decommissioning of the Kenosha VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) facilities, which provided navigation guidance for portions of the affected routes. This action would enhance the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport. Additionally, the airport name and geographic coordinates would be adjusted in the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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 safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that wear of the bearing plate slider bushings could cause disconnection of certain elevator hinges, which could excite the horizontal stabilizer under certain in-flight speed/altitude conditions and lead to degradation of the structure. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections and checks of certain elevator hinges and related components, repetitive replacements and tests of the bearing plate, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Airbus Model A380-800 series airplanes. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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 non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 747-8 series airplanes. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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 non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 560XL airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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 non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Embraer S. A. (Embraer) Model EMB-135BJ airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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 non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on Airbus Models A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of cracking of the vertical stiffener in the nose wheel well. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the nose wheel well bulkhead stiffener for any cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Bombardier Aerospace Inc. (Bombardier) Model BD-100-1A10 airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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 action modifies Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Haskell Municipal Airport, Haskell, TX. The decommissioning of the Haskell radio beacon (RBN) and cancellation of RBN approach makes it necessary to implement new area navigation (RNAV) procedures for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport.

This action modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey, ID, to support the implementation of new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) at the airport. Additionally, this action updates the airport's geographic coordinates in the Class D description, and amends the legal description of Class E surface area airspace adding the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) part-time status information.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending up to 700 feet above the surface at Central Wisconsin Airport, Mosinee, WI, to accommodate new standard instrument approach procedures for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Mosinee outer marker (OM) and DANCI locator outer marker (LOM) and cancellation of the associated approaches, and would enhance the safety and management of IFR operations at the airport. This action would also update the geographic coordinates of the airport and the Wausau VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range and Collocated Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC). This proposal would also update the geographic coordinates in Class D and Class E surface area airspace, and would make an editorial change in the legal description by replacing Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement.

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace extending up to 700 feet above the surface at Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (formerly Brainerd-Crow County Regional Airport), Brainerd, MN. Airspace reconfiguration is necessary due to the decommissioning of the Brainerd (BRD) VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range Tactical Air Navigation Aid (VORTAC), and cancellation of the VOR approach. This action would also update the geographic coordinates of the airport and the airport name in the Class E airspace above and in Class E surface area airspace. Additionally, an editorial change would be made to the Class E surface area airspace legal description replacing Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement.

These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 700 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 that provides control through pilot inputs to the flight computer. 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 non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Gulfstream Aerospace LP (GALP) Model Gulfstream 200 airplane, as modified by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream). Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-03-12 for all Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50 airplanes. AD 2013-03-12 required revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or revised maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by issuance of a revision to the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) that introduces new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON airplanes; all Model FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes; and all Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that inspections for discrepancies of the fuselage bulkhead are necessary. This AD requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the fuselage bulkhead, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is correcting a final rule published on September 7, 2016. In that rule, the FAA amended its regulations to relocate and update the content of SFAR No. 108 to the newly created subpart N of part 91 in order to improve the safety of operating the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) MU-2B series airplane. This document corrects two errors in the codified text of the final rule.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that an oxygen bottle was found loose while the clamp strap was in the locked position. This proposed AD would require modification of the clamp strap and installation of additional shims, as applicable, to the flight crew's oxygen bottle retaining structures. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for non-rechargeable lithium battery installations on the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GV-SP airplane. Non-rechargeable lithium batteries are a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. 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.