Safety Rules & Regs

Air Safety Week, Oct 13, 2008

Meeting: Civil Supersonic Aircraft Panel Discussion This notice advises interested persons that the FAA is participating in a panel session on civil supersonic aircraft research. The session will include presentations on current research programs and a question and answer session for attendees. The FAA is seeking to raise public awareness of the continuing technological advances in supersonic aircraft technology aimed at reducing the intensity of sonic boom. The public session will take place on October 24, 2008. The panel discussion is from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Rosemont, IL.

Proposed Rule: Notification And Reporting Of Aircraft Accidents Or Incidents And Overdue Aircraft, And Preservation of Aircraft Wreckage, Mail, Cargo, And Records - The National Transportation Safety Board is proposing to amend its regulations concerning notification and reporting requirements with regard to aircraft accidents or incidents. The existing regulations do not include certain events that the NTSB has determined to be necessary. The NTSB anticipates that these proposed amendments will enhance aviation safety by providing the NTSB with direct notification of events that involve safety concerns, thereby enabling the NTSB to conduct investigations, identify necessary corrective actions in a timely manner, and work to prevent transportation accidents. Submit comments on or before December 8, 2008.

Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments Final Rule. SUMMARY: This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes 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 designedto provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

Airworthiness Directive; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SR. Final Rule. SUMMARY: For certain airplanes, this AD requires a material type inspection to determine if the lower forward corner reveal of the number 3 main entry doors (MEDs) is a casting. If the reveals are castings, this AD requires repetitive inspections of the reveals for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. If the reveals are not castings, this AD requires a detailed inspection of the reveals for a sharp edge and repetitive inspections of the reveals for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires only a detailed inspection of the reveals for a sharp edge and repetitive inspections of the reveals for cracking, and corrective action if necessary. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires repetitive inspections of the reveals for cracking only, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also allows a certain replacement as an optional action for the material type inspection for certain airplanes. This AD results from reports of cracking and/or a sharp edge in the lower forward corner reveal of the number 3 MEDs. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the lower forward corner reveal of the number 3 MEDs, which could lead to the door escape slide departing the airplane when the door is opened and the slide is deployed, and consequent injuries to passengers and crew using the door escape slide during an emergency evacuation.

Airworthiness Directive; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 Final Rule; Request for Comments. SUMMARY: This AD requires repetitive external detailed inspections or non-destructive inspections to detect cracks in the fuselage skin along the chem-mill steps at stringers S-1 and S-2R, between station (STA) 400 and STA 460, and repair if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracks in the fuselage skin common to stringer S-1 and between STA 400 and STA 460. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin panels at the chem-mill steps, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the fuselage skin panels, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directive; Hawker Beechcraft Model BAe.125 Series 800A (including C-29A and U-125) Airplanes, and Hawker Beechcraft Model Hawker 800XP. Final Rule; Request for Comments. SUMMARY: This AD requires doing an inspection to determine the serial number and part number on the main landing gear (MLG) upper casing, and replacing the MLG assembly with a serviceable MLG assembly if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that the MLG casings have received improper hydrogen embrittlement relief. We are issuing this AD to prevent a fracture of the MLG casings and a collapse of the affected MLG, which could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe flight and landing.