Regulatory Log

Air Safety Week, Sept 6, 1999

Items in the Regulatory Log are based on agency announcements in the Federal Register unless otherwise noted; Federal Register publication dates are in boldface.

Key:

AD = Airworthiness Directive.

NPRM = Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Federal Aviation Administration

August 9

Boeing 747-400: AD, final rule, requires repetitive inspections of the E-42 satellite communications (SATCOM) rack and fuselage (supporting) structure to detect fatigue cracking of the area surrounding the fastener holes, and to detect broken or missing fasteners. Actions are to detect and repair fatigue cracking of the E-42 SATCOM rack and its supporting structure. Effective August 24. Docket No. 99-NM-61-AD; Amendment 39-11245; AD 99-16-10. Contact: Jon Mowery, 562/627-5322; fax 562/627-5210.

Boeing 737-600, -700, and -800: AD, final rule, requires a test of the squib circuit ground studs of the engine fire extinguisher bottles to measure the resistance, and repair or replacement of the ground stud with a new ground stud, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of improper grounding of the squib circuit. Such a condition would prevent the engine fire extinguisher bottle from discharging when commanded, which could result in the inability to extinguish an engine fire. Effective August 24. Docket No. 99-NM-188-AD; Amendment 39-11246; AD 99-16-11. Contact: Bernie Gonzalez, 425/227-2682; fax 425/227-1181.

Airbus A300, A310, and A300-600 Series: AD, final rule, requires a one-time inspection of the autopilot systems for proper engagement to determine if the main electro valve electrical connectors of the yaw, roll, and pitch autopilot actuators are correctly installed; and corrective actions, if necessary. Actions are to prevent erratic movements of the ailerons, elevator, and/or rudder that are commanded by discrepant autopilot actuators. Effective August 24. Docket No. 99-NM-189-AD, Amendment 39-11249, AD 99-16-14. Contact: Norman B. Martenson, 425/227-2110; fax 425/227-1149.

Boeing 747-400: AD, final rule, requires repetitive inspections of the doubler on the upper rudder pedal cover to determine whether it is securely bonded to the upper rudder pedal cover, and corrective action, if necessary. Actions are to detect and correct disbonding of the doubler on the upper rudder pedal cover. Effective August 24. Docket No. 99-NM-180-AD; Amendment 39-11243; AD 99-16-08. Contact: R.C. Jones, 425/227-1118; fax 425/227-1181.

Airbus A310: AD, final rule, requires repetitive inspections to detect cracked or broken support brackets of the upper wing-to-fuselage fairings, and replacement of any discrepant support brackets with new brackets. Actions are to prevent reduced structural integrity of the fairing support brackets. Effective September 13. Docket No. 99-NM-17-AD; Amendment 39-11242; AD 99-16-07. Contact: Norman B. Martenson, 425/227-2110; fax 425/227-1149.

August 10

McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F: Proposed AD to require a one-time inspection to determine if metallic transitions are installed on wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps, and to determine if damaged wires are present; and repair, if necessary. Actions are to prevent wire chafing and damage. Comments due September 24. Docket No. 99-NM-71-AD. Contact: Roscoe Van Dyke, 562/627-5254; fax 562/627-5210.

Boeing 727: Proposed AD to supersede an existing AD requires repetitive inspections of the front spar web between the upper and lower seals of the center section of the wings, and repair, if necessary. New action would require a new terminating modification for the repetitive inspections. For certain airplanes, this action would require new repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the front spar web. Actions are to prevent fatigue cracks in the front spar web. Comments due September 24. Docket No. 97-NM-323-AD. Contact: Walter Sippel, 425/227-2774; fax 425/227-1181.

August 12

McDonnell Douglas DC-9-80, MD-90-30, and MD-88 Airplanes: Proposed AD to require that a determination be made of whether, and at what locations, metallized polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) insulation blankets are installed, and replacement of MPET insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. Actions are to ensure that insulation blankets constructed of MPET are removed from the fuselage. Comments due September 27. Docket No. 99-NM-161-AD. Contact: Robert Stacho, 562/627-5334; fax 562/627-5210.

McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 and -30F, and MD-11 and -11F Series: Proposed AD to require that a determination be made of whether, and at what locations, metallized polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) insulation blankets are installed, and replacement of MPET insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. Actions are to ensure that insulation blankets constructed of MPET are removed from the fuselage. Comments due September 27. Docket No. 99-NM-162-AD. Contact: Robert Stacho, 562/627-5334; fax 562/627-5210.

Boeing 737-200, -200C, -300, and -400 Airplanes: Proposed AD to supersede an existing AD that currently requires repetitive visual inspections to detect cracking of the corners of the door frame and the cross beams of the aft cargo door, and corrective actions, if necessary. New action would add requirements for repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections, and corrective actions, if necessary. Actions are to prevent fatigue cracking of the corners of the door frame and the cross beams of the aft cargo door. Comments due September 27. Docket No. 99-NM-84-AD. Contact: Rick Kawaguchi, 425/227-1153; fax 425/227-1181.