Safety Rules & Regulations

Air Safety Week, Oct 20, 2008

Airworthiness Directive; MD Helicopters Model 600N Helicopter. Final Rule; Request for Comments. SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model 600N helicopters. The AD currently requires modifying the fuselage aft section within the next 24 months to strengthen the tail boom attachment fittings and upper longerons. This amendment retains the current required modification and adds the following requirements: Repetitively inspecting the tail boom attachment fittings; installing inspection holes and attachment bolt washers; modifying both access covers; and replacing broken attachment bolts. These additional requirements were inadvertently omitted from the current AD. This amendment is prompted by the need to correct our mistake and continue the repetitive inspections of the tail boom attachment fittings until the fuselage aft section is modified. This series of ADs is prompted by an accident due to failure of the tail boom attach points resulting in loss of control of the helicopter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the tailboom attachment fittings, separation of the tail boom from the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Airworthiness Directive; Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and - 900 Equipped With CFM56-7 Engines. Final Rule. SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, and -800 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect damage of the aft strut insulation blanket, and eventual replacement of the insulation blankets with new, improved blankets. This new AD adds airplanes to the applicability and requires installation of a new heat insulation blanket and new cover plate on the left and right side engine struts. This new AD does not retain the requirements of the existing AD but does terminate the requirements of the existing AD. This AD results from reports of damaged heat insulation blankets on the engine struts. We are issuing this AD to prevent exposure of the lower surface of the strut to extreme high temperatures, consequent creation of a source of fuel ignition, and increased risk of an uncontrollable fire and possible fuel tank explosion.

Airworthiness Directive; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500. Final Rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-300, - 400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the fuse pins of the inboard and outboard midspar fittings of the nacelle strut, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of corrosion damage of the chrome runout on the head side found on all four midspar fuse pins of the nacelle strut. Additionally, a large portion of the chrome plate was missing from the corroded area of the shank. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies of the fuse pins of the inboard and outboard midspar fittings of the nacelle strut, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuse pins and consequent loss of the strut and separation of the engine from the airplane.

Airworthiness Directive; Hawker Beechcraft Model 390 Final Rule; Request for Comments. SUMMARY: This AD requires you to modify the cabin barometric pressure switch and cabin altitude high switch installations and perform a functional test of the switches and related systems. This AD results from the possibility of barometric pressure switch electrical connections being incorrectly connected or inadvertently disconnected. We are issuing this AD to modify the cabin barometric pressure switch and cabin altitude high switch to prevent them from becoming incorrectly connected or inadvertently disconnected, which may result in no CABIN ALT HI annunciation in the cockpit and no automatic deployment of the cabin oxygen masks. This failure could lead to incapacitation of the crew due to hypoxia with possible inability to control the airplane.

Congestion Management Rule for John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. Final Rule. SUMMARY: This rule establishes procedures to address congestion in the New York City area by assigning slots at John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Liberty (Newark) International Airports in a way that allows carriers to respond to market forces to drive efficient airline behavior. The rule also extends the caps on the operations at the two airports, assigns to existing operators the majority of slots at the airports, and develops a robust secondary market by annually auctioning off a limited number of slots in each of the first five years of this rule.

Auction proceeds will be used to mitigate congestion and delay in the New York City area. The rule also contains provisions for minimum usage, capping unscheduled operations, and withdrawal for operational need. The rule will sunset in ten years.