Results
2009-08-07: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. ALF502L-2 and ALF502L-2C turbofan engines with certain high-pressure compressor (HPC) first stage discs installed. This AD requires performing a dimensional inspection to determine if excessive disc balance material was removed and a magnetic particle inspection if the disc passes the dimensional inspection. This AD results from reports of discs found with excessive material removed from the balancing locations of the disc. We are issuing this AD to prevent the discs from fracturing before reaching the currently published life limit. A disc fracture could result in an uncontained failure of the disc and damage to the airplane.
2009-08-03: We are adopting a superseding airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206L-4, 222, 222B, 222U, 230, 407, 427, and 430 helicopters. That AD currently requires replacing each affected tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade that has a serial number not listed in the Rotor Blades, Inc. (RBI) document that is attached to each of the Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) listed in the applicability section of the AD. That AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of Canada. The MCAI states that there have been three reports of blade tip weights departing from the blade during flight. Since issuing that AD, BHTC has issued revised service information to correct part numbers and serial numbers listed in the RBI document that is attached to each BHTC ASB and to add additional part-numbered and serial-numbered blades to the list. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
2009-08-05: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Liberty Aerospace Incorporated Model XL-2 airplanes. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the exhaust muffler for cracks and to replace the exhaust muffler when cracks are found. This AD is the result of reports that cracks have been found in the exhaust muffler during maintenance and service inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the exhaust muffler, which could result in carbon monoxide entering the cabin through the heating system. Carbon monoxide entering into the airplane cabin could lead to incapacitation of the pilot.
2009-08-01: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Honeywell FMSs served by Honeywell NZ-2000 navigation computers and IC-800 integrated avionics computers. That AD currently requires identifying affected computers by part number and software modification level and revising the Limitations section of applicable airplane flight manuals to provide procedures for retaining optimum position determination and intended navigation. This new AD requires upgrading new software, which terminates the existing requirements. This AD results from reports of in-flight unannunciated shifts of computed position in airplanes with the subject FMS computers. We are issuing this AD to prevent a shift in the FMS computed position, which could result in uncommanded deviations from the intended flight path of the airplane, and, if those deviations are undetected by the flight crew, compromised terrain/traffic avoidance. DATES: This AD becomes effective May 14, 2009. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of May 14, 2009. On April 18, 2007 (72 FR 15818, April 3, 2007), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Honeywell Technical Newsletter A23-6111-008, Revision 001, dated February 22, 2007.
2009-07-13: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) model helicopters that requires, within 30 days, reducing the current gross weight limit to a maximum gross weight limit of 5,400 pounds and inserting a copy of this AD into the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) or making certain optional modifications that constitute terminating actions. This amendment is prompted by flight tests that show that the information currently listed in the Limitations section of the RFM is inconsistent with the actual performance of the helicopter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of directional control of the helicopter.
2009-08-02: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas airplanes identified above. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to provide the flightcrew with procedures to preclude dry running of the fuel pumps. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent pump inlet friction (i.e., overheating or sparking) when the fuel pumps are continually run as the center wing fuel tank becomes empty, and/or electrical arc burnthrough, which could result in a fuel tank fire or explosion.
2009-07-14: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: A number of wings manufactured by Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. in Canada have been found to exhibit voids in the adhesive joint between the main spar caps and the upper wing skins. The available information indicates that wings with voids continue to meet the certification design limits, provided the voids are within established criteria. However, to detect any wings that may have voids exceeding these criteria, Diamond has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB-40-060 and MSB-F4-016 (single document) that describes instructions for inspection of the aircraft that had these wings installed during manufacture. Aircraft that have voids within the inspectioncriteria may continue to operate without restriction, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. Aircraft that have voids exceeding the inspection criteria must be repaired. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
2009-07-09: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: It has been evidenced in-service that aileron trim actuator and rod spring lever attachment bracket--between frame 18 and 19 LH--on some aircraft may present loose rivets. If left uncorrected, this condition could lead to the separation of the attachment bracket which could result in loss of aileron trim and loss of artificial force feedback, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
2009-07-04: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD requires modifying the auxiliary hydraulic power system (including doing all applicable related investigative and corrective actions). This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, as well as reports of shorted wires in the right wheel well and evidence of arcing on the power cables of the auxiliary hydraulic pump. We are issuing this AD to prevent shorted wires or electrical arcing at the auxiliary hydraulic pump, which could result in a fire in the wheel well; and to reduce the potential of an ignition source adjacent to the fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
2008-23-15: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -400ER series airplanes. This AD requires installing new relay(s), circuit breakers as applicable, and wiring to allow the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the in- flight entertainment (IFE) systems and certain circuit breakers through a utility bus switch, and doing other specified actions. This AD results from an IFE systems review. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to IFE systems and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight compartment. The flightcrew's inability to turn off power to IFE systems and other non-essential electrical systems during a non-normal or emergency situation could result in the inability to control smoke or fumes in the airplane flight deck or cabin.