Results
2005-10-15: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus model airplanes, as specified above. This AD requires modifying the electrical bonding points of additional center tanks. This AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical arcing inside the fuel tank, due to insufficient bonding, which could result in the ignition of fuel vapors with a potential risk of explosion of the fuel tank.
2005-10-09: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive detailed inspections of the windshield wiper assembly for discrepant conditions, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the left and right wiper arm assemblies for damage, and corrective/related investigative actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by an additional incident of a windshield wiper blade separating from the wiper arm. We are issuing this AD to prevent separation of a wiper arm from the airplane, which could result in damage to the fuselage skin and propeller.
2005-06-07: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for GE CF6-80A1/A3 and CF6-80C2A series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires completing one of the following actions before further flight: Performing a directional pilot valve (DPV) pressure check for leakage, and, if necessary, replacing the DPV assembly with a serviceable assembly, or Replacing the DPV assembly with a serviceable assembly, or Deactivating the thrust reverser, and revising the FAA- approved airplane flight manual (AFM) to require applying performance penalties for certain takeoff conditions if a thrust reverser is deactivated. That AD also requires revising the Emergency Procedures Section of the FAA-approved AFM to include a flight crew operational procedure for use in the event of any indication of an in-flight thrust reverser deployment. This AD specifies the same requirements for leak checks, but increases the interval between required checks. This AD also removes the requirement to revise the Limitations Section and the Emergency Procedures Section of the applicable AFM when deactivating one or both thrust reversers. This AD results from Airbus Industrie, the airplane manufacturer, revising the master minimum equipment list (MMEL) to include procedures for operating the airplane with the thrust reversers deactivated, and revising the AFM to include procedures for emergency operation if the thrust reversers deploy while in flight. This AD also results from the engine manufacturer recommending extending the interval between inspecting or replacing the DPV. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent thrust reverser deployment, which, if it occurs in-flight, could result in loss of control of the airplane.
2005-09-04: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), MD-88, and MD-90-30 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the main landing gear (MLG) shock strut pistons, and replacement of a cracked piston with a new or serviceable part. This amendment removes certain airplanes but requires that the existing inspections, and corrective actions if necessary, be accomplished on additional MLG shock strut pistons. This amendment also requires replacing the MLG shock strut pistons with new improved parts, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking of the MLG pistons, which could result in failure of the pistons and consequent damage to the airplane structure or injury to airplane occupants. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. \n\n\nDATES: Effective June 2, 2005. \n\n\tThe incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-32A308, Revision 04, dated June 12, 2001, as listed in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 2, 2005. \n\n\tThe incorporation by reference of Boeing Service Bulletin MD80-32- 309, Revision 01, dated April 25, 2001, as listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 20, 2002 (67 FR 34823, May 16, 2002). \n\n\tThe incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-32A308, dated March 5, 1998; and McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-32A308, Revision 01, dated May 12, 1998; as listed in the regulations; was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of as of July 28, 1999 (64 FR 33392, June 23, 1999).
2005-06-14: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain British Aerospace Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. That AD currently requires a one- time measurement of the thickness of the outer links on the side stays of the main landing gear (MLG), and related investigative and corrective actions as necessary; and provides for replacement of a thin outer link with a new or serviceable part in lieu of certain related investigative inspections. This new AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the outer links on the MLG side stays, and corrective actions if necessary. This new action also expands the applicability, provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections, and reduces the repetitive inspection interval. This AD is prompted by new crack findings on airplanes not subject to the existing AD, and the determination that the profile gauge's slipping over the outer link profile is not a factorin the identified unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of the outer links of the MLG side stays, which could result in failure of a side stay and consequent collapse of the landing gear.
2005-07-24: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the thrust reversers for damage of the insulation blankets, the inner wall, and the compression and drag link fittings; and repair if necessary. This AD also requires applying sealant to certain areas of the thrust reverser. This AD is prompted by two reports of thrust reverser failure; investigation revealed that the inner wall of the thrust reversers had collapsed from exposure to hot engine core compartment air. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a thrust reverser and adjacent components and their consequent separation from the airplane, which could result in a rejected takeoff (RTO) and cause asymmetric thrust and consequent loss of control of the airplane during reverse thrust operation. If an RTO does not occur, these separated components could cause structural damage to the airplane or damage to other airplanes and possible injury to people on the ground.
2005-07-26: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Saab Model SAAB 2000 series airplanes. This AD requires a one- time inspection to detect a broken terminal stud on a main relay of the electrical power generator, and corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by disconnection of an electrical power generator during an inspection flight, which was caused by a broken terminal stud on the main relay. We are issuing this AD to prevent a broken terminal stud on the main relay of an electrical power generator, which could reduce the redundancy of electrical power systems, result in increased pilot workload, and contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.
2005-07-10: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited, Bristol Engine Division (RR) model Viper Mk.601-22 turbojet engines. That AD currently requires reducing the life of certain 1st stage turbine rotor blades from 7,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) to 4,600 hours TIS, and provides a drawdown schedule for blades that have already exceeded the new reduced life limit. This AD requires the same actions but changes certain compliance times to be in agreement with RR Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 72- A184, dated January 2001. This AD results from comments received on AD 2004-13-03, that the AD is unnecessarily more restrictive than the requirements in the associated RR ASB No. 72-A184. We are issuing this AD to prevent multiple failures of 1st stage turbine rotor blades that could result in a dual-engine shutdown.
2005-06-10: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the inboard fairing seal common to the vapor barrier seal of each strut assembly. This AD is prompted by discovery during production that a section of vapor barrier seal was missing from the spar web cavities of the upper aft struts of both wings. We are issuing this AD to prevent flammable fluids from leaking onto parts of a hot exhaust system of a shut-down engine of an airplane on the ground, which could result in ignition of the flammable fluids and an uncontained fire. This could also lead to an emergency evacuation of the airplane and possible injury to passengers.
2005-06-09: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, and 747SR series airplanes, equipped with GE CF6-45 or -50 series engines. This AD requires modifying the side cowl assemblies on the engines by replacing existing wear plates with new extended wear plates and installing new stop fittings. This AD is prompted by reports of a gap at the interface of the lower portion of the side cowl and the aft flange of the thrust reverser. We are issuing this AD to prevent an excessive quantity of air from entering the fire zone that surrounds the engine, which, in the event of an engine fire, could result in an inability to control or extinguish the fire.