Results
2006-10-14: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number of the upper and lower stop pad support fittings of all the lower cargo doors, repetitive inspections of all early configuration stop pad support fittings, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report of cracks found in the area of the upper and lower stop pad support fittings of the cargo door pan on numerous airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the cargo door pan, which could result in the inability to fully pressurize an airplane, possible pressure loss, or possible rapid decompression of the airplane.
2006-10-11: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the flap transmission shafts, and replacing the transmission shafts if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from reports of longitudinal cracks due to stress corrosion in the transmission shafts between the power control unit (PCU) and the torque limiters of the flap transmission system. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the flap transmission shaft, which could compromise shaft structural integrity and lead to a disabled flap transmission shaft and reduced controllability of the airplane.
2006-10-09: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes in operation. This AD requires replacing the protective tubes and conduits of the wiring harnesses of the refueling vent and pilot valves with non-conductive hoses; modifying the harness wiring and supports; and rerouting the harnesses to prevent interference with adjacent strobe light connectors; as applicable. This AD results from a fuel system review conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potential source of ignition near a fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion.
2006-10-06: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 and 440) airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the manufacturer's date code on certain electrical relays to identify defective Leach TDH- series electrical relays and replacement of identified relays. This AD results from a report of defective electrical relays affecting emergency equipment. We are issuing this AD to prevent the malfunction of emergency equipment (the passenger oxygen system, the thrust reverse control system, and the auxiliary power unit fire detection, warning, and extinguishing system) during an emergency.
2006-09-13: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. ALF502L series and ALF502R series turbofan engines. That AD currently establishes stress rupture retirement life limits for certain third stage turbine discs used in conjunction with certain third stage turbine nozzles. This AD brings requirements forward and unchanged, from the previous AD for ALF502R series turbofan engines. Also, this AD establishes new reduced stress rupture retirement life limits for certain part numbers (P/Ns) of third stage turbine disc and shaft assemblies installed in ALF502L series turbofan engines. This AD also requires removing those same parts from service using a drawdown schedule. This AD results from a report of failure of a third stage turbine disc and shaft assembly, leading to turbine blade release and separation of the exhaust nozzle. We are issuing this AD to prevent total loss of engine power, in-flight engine shutdown, release of turbine blades, separation of the exhaust nozzle, and possible damage to the airplane.
2006-10-02: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This AD requires the following actions for the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer: Repetitive detailed inspections for discrepancies and loose ball bearings; repetitive lubrication of the ballnut and ballscrew; repetitive measurements of the freeplay between the ballnut and the ballscrew; and corrective action if necessary. This AD results from a report of extensive corrosion of a ballscrew in the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer on a similar airplane model. We are issuing this AD to prevent an undetected failure of the primary load path for the ballscrew in the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent wear and failure of the secondary load path, which could lead to loss of control of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
2006-09-05: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires doing repetitive rotating probe inspections for any crack of the rear spar internal angle and the left and right sides of the tee fitting, and doing related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires modifying the holes in the internal angle and tee fitting by cold expansion. This AD results from full-scale fatigue tests, which revealed cracks in the lower rear spar internal angle, and tee fitting. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks of the rear spar internal angle and tee fitting, which could lead to the rupture of the internal angle, tee fitting, and rear spar, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wings.
2004-03-15 R1: The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, - 202, -301, -311, and -315 airplanes. That AD currently requires performing a one-time inspection to detect chafing of electrical wires in the cable trough below the cabin floor; repairing, if necessary; installing additional tie-mounts and tie-wraps; applying sealant to rivet heads; and modifying electrical wires in certain sections. We issued that AD to prevent chafing of electrical wires. This new AD, for certain airplanes, eliminates the requirement to modify electrical wires in certain sections. This AD results from a report indicating that the modification of electrical wires does not need to be done on certain airplanes subject to the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of electrical wires, which could result in an uncommanded shutdown of an engine during flight. DATES: The effective date of this AD is March 19, 2004.On March 19, 2004 (69 FR 7111, February 13, 2004), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-53-80, Revision "A", dated July 25, 2000. On October 27, 1998 (63 FR 50501, September 22, 1998) the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Bombardier Service Bulletin S.B. 8-53-66, dated March 27, 1998.
2006-09-08: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD requires modifying the wiring on an alternating current (AC) service bus contactor that is located in the avionics bay. This AD results from incidents of short circuit failures of certain AC contactors located in the avionics bay. We are issuing this AD to prevent short circuit failures of certain AC contactors, which could result in arcing and consequent smoke or fire.
2006-08-11: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes equipped with certain crew seat bucket assemblies with and without a backrest recline system. This AD requires you to replace the backrest tubes on these crew seat bucket assemblies at a specified time and adds a life limit for these backrest tubes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the backrest tubes of certain crew seat bucket assemblies, which could result in failure of the seat system. This failure could lead to the pilot and co-pilot's reduced ability to control the airplane. This failure could also affect the proper function of the seat restrain system in the case of an emergency landing.