Department of Transportation May 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This purpose of this report is to determine the effect of rear turn signal color on the likelihood of being involved in a rear-end crash. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108 allows rear turn signals to be either red or amber in color. The primary conclusion is that amber rear turn signals are 5.3% more effective than red rear turn signals at preventing involvement in crashes where a careful driver would typically use the turn signals. The result is shown to be statistically significant and consistent with other published analyses on the influence of rear turn signal color.

This special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) amends the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes by adding new cabin interior criteria for operators of private use, not for hire, not for common carriage airplanes. These standards may be used instead of the specific requirements that affect transport category airplanes operated by air carriers. These standards supplement the requirements for operation under the air traffic and general operating rules. This SFAR provides alternative criteria for transport category airplanes that are operated for private use while continuing to provide an acceptable level of safety for those operations.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI (two different MCAI) describe the unsafe conditions as:

By petition filed on August 28, 2008, the Port of Moses Lake (Port) seeks an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 to construct rail lines in Grant County, Washington. In the same petition, the Port also seeks an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 to acquire an existing segment of rail line from Columbia Basin Railroad Company, Inc. The proposed project, known as the Northern Columbia Basin Railroad Project, includes the construction of two new rail line segments and the acquisition and refurbishment of an existing rail segment to provide rail access to land designated and zoned for industrial uses along Wheeler Road (Road 3 NE) and at the Grant County International Airport. The entire proposed route would extend approximately 11.5 miles.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed and high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracks of the backup intercostals and the upper sill of the forward airstair doorway, and applicable corrective actions. This AD also provides for an optional terminating action, which would eliminate the need for repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report indicating that cracks were found in the backup intercostals and upper sill web of the forward airstair doorway. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the backup intercostals and upper sill web of the forward airstair doorway, which could result in a rapid loss of cabin pressure.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive external surface high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracks in the radius detail of the upper lobe doubler on both sides of the airplane, and applicable corrective action. This AD results from reports of cracks in the radius detail of the upper lobe doublers. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the upper lobe doublers. Such cracks could result in significant degradation of the fuselage structure and reduce its ability to carry flight loads from the vertical stabilizer, which could adversely affect the controllability of the airplane.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 17 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision standard. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300 and 737-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the aft fuselage skin, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of cracks in the aft fuselage skin on both sides of the airplane. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the aft fuselage skin along the longitudinal edges of the bonded skin doubler, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that an Information Collection Request (ICR) in support of the New Car Assessment Program has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on March 9, 2009 74 FR 44, pages 10122 and 10123, or U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2009-0032.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. That AD currently requires operators to determine the number of flight cycles accumulated on each component of the main landing gear (MLG) and the nose landing gear (NLG), and to replace each component that reaches its life limit with a serviceable component. The existing AD also requires operators to revise the Airworthiness Limitations (AWL) section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) in the aircraft maintenance manual to reflect the new life limits for structurally significant items. This new AD requires a new revision of the AWL section of the ICA to incorporate revised life limits for structurally significant items, operational and functional tests of certain systems, and instructions to retain critical ignition source prevention features during configuration changes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of certain structurally significant items, including the MLG and the NLG, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane; and to prevent fuel vapor ignition sources, which could result in fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is correcting a typographical error in an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register on March 24, 2009 (74 FR 12247). The error resulted in publication of an incorrect AD number. This AD applies to certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD requires the installation of improved cockpit door latch/striker assemblies.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule that establishes Class E Airspace at Clewiston, FL needed to support new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) developed for Airglades Airport. As a result, controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain the SIAP and for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations changing the operating status of the airport from Visual flight Rules (VFR) to include IFR operations concurrent with the publication of the SIAP.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule establishing Class E Airspace at Morehead, KY. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain the Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at the airport.

FMCSA announces that the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) will hold a committee meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

The Board adopts its 2009 User-Fee Update and revises its fee schedule to reflect increased costs associated with the January 2009 government salary increases, changes to the Board's overhead costs, and to also reflect changes in the government fringe benefits.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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:

FMCSA announces that the Rotel North American Tours, LLC (Rotel), has applied for amendment of its existing exemption that permits 22 named drivers, employed by Rotel and possessing German CDLs, to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the U.S. without a CDL issued by one of the States. Rotel proposes to amend the roster of 22 exempt Rotel drivers in order to substitute three new Rotel drivers for three drivers no longer employed by Rotel. The new Rotel drivers would be subject to all the terms and conditions of the current exemption, including its expiration date of July 30, 2010.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for PW JT9D-7R4 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires removing certain reduced cooling flow 2nd stage high-pressure turbine (HPT) vane assemblies installed in certain 2nd stage HPT vane cluster assemblies. It also requires a visual and a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the 2nd stage HPT air seal assembly, part number (P/N) 815097. This AD requires a visual and FPI of all P/N 2nd stage HPT air seal assemblies that were used with reduced cooling flow 2nd stage HPT vane assemblies. This AD results from PW identifying additional P/N air seal assemblies that are affected by the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the 2nd stage HPT air seal assembly, leading to engine in-flight shutdown and damage to the airplane.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 19 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

This action proposes to establish VOR Federal Airway 626 (V- 626) located between the Myton, UT, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) and the Salt Lake City terminal Area. This route would improve aircraft flow during busy traffic periods into the Salt Lake City terminal area. This new jet route would provide a more precise means of navigation and reduce controller workload.