Damage Tolerance and Fatigue Evaluation for Composite Rotorcraft Structures, and Damage Tolerance and Fatigue Evaluation for Metallic Structures; Correction
The FAA is correcting two final rules, "Damage Tolerance and Fatigue Evaluation for Composite Rotorcraft Structures" (76 FR 74655), published December 1, 2011, and "Damage Tolerance and Fatigue Evaluation for Metallic Structures" (76 FR 75435), published December 2, 2011. In the "Composite Rotorcraft Structures" rule, the FAA amended its regulations to require evaluation of fatigue and residual static strength of composite rotorcraft structures using a damage tolerance evaluation, or a fatigue evaluation if the applicant establishes that a damage tolerance evaluation is impractical. In the "Metallic Structures" rule, the FAA amended its regulations to address advances in structural fatigue substantiation technology for metallic structures to provide an increased level of safety by avoiding or reducing the likelihood of the catastrophic fatigue failure of a metallic structure. This document corrects errors in the preamble of those two documents by adding a statement advising that affected parties do not need to comply with the information collection requirements until the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves the collections.