Department of Transportation October 1, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA previously announced its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 59 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 exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747- 200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required adding two new indicator lights on the P10 panel to inform the captain and first officer of a low pressure condition in the left and right override/jettison pumps of the center wing tanks. The original NPRM would also have required replacing the left and right override/jettison switches on the M154 fuel control module on the P4 panel with improved switches and doing the associated wiring changes. The original NPRM would have also required a revision to the maintenance program to incorporate airworthiness limitation No. 28-AWL-22. The original NPRM resulted from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This action revises the original NPRM by adding a revision to the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew what to do in the event that the pump low pressure light on the flight engineer's panel does not illuminate when the pump is selected off; and requiring, for certain airplanes, installation of a mounting bracket for the new indicator lights. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent uncommanded operation of the override/ jettison pumps of the center wing tanks, and failure to manually shut off the override/jettison pumps at the correct time, either of which could lead to an ignition source inside the center wing tank. This condition, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a center fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections for cracking on the hinge bearing lugs of the left and right sides of the center section ribs of the horizontal stabilizer, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of cracks found on either the left or right (or in one case, both) sides of the center section ribs of the horizontal stabilizer. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the hinge bearing lugs of the center section of the left and right ribs, which could result in failure of the hinge bearing lugs and consequent inability of the horizontal stabilizer to sustain the required loads.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model 45 airplanes. This proposed AD would require a general visual inspection for damage of wiring (including chafing, pinched wires, and exposed wires) and correct routing of wires in the left and right circuit breaker panels, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of wire damage on the pilot and copilot circuit breaker panels caused by a short circuit between chafed wires. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damaged or misrouted wires, which could result in a short circuit and the loss of systems associated with the wiring (including fire suppression function for one engine and essential avionics systems).

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The nature of the information collection is described as well as its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 23, 2010. No comments were received.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD's) intention to request extension of approval for three years of a currently approved information collection.

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2010-0083 at https://www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 12121 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the Secretary of Transportation, announced a meeting of the FAAC Subcommittee on Labor and World-class Workforce, which will be held via teleconference. A call-in number and pass code will be issued upon registration. This notice announced the date and time of the meeting, which will be open to the public. The purpose of the FAAC is to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation to ensure the competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry and its capability to effectively manage the evolving transportation needs, challenges, and opportunities of the global economy. The subcommittee is charged with ensuring the availability and quality of a workforce necessary to support a robust, expanding commercial aviation industry in light of the changing socio-economic dynamics of the world's technologically advanced economies. Among other matters, the subcommittee will examine three issues affecting the future employment requirements of the aviation industry: (1) The need for science, technology, engineering, and math skills in the industry; (2) the creation of a culture of dignity and respect in workplace; and (3) the effect of NextGen on various workforces. This teleconference meeting was described as ``solely for discussion with Mr. Joshua M. Javits, a professional arbitrator and mediator, who has mediated a number of air carrier labor-management disputes.'' However, at the subcommittee meeting on September 23, 2010, it was determined additional time would be needed during the October 1, 2010, meeting to refine the subcommittee's topic proposals for presentation to the full FAAC on October 20, 2010. Accordingly, in addition to the scheduled discussion with Mr. Javits on October 1, the subcommittee will discuss possible actionable items for presentation at the October 20 FAAC meeting in Los Angeles, California, and work related to the general responsibilities of the subcommittee.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This 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: * * * * * Two cases of complete nose landing gear (NLG) shock absorber bolts failure were reported to the manufacturer. In both cases, the crew was unable to retract the gear and was forced to an In Flight Turn Back. In one case, the aircraft experienced a low speed runway excursion. The root cause of the bolts failure has been identified being due to a bolt(s) over-torque. The investigation has highlighted that the design of the NLG shock absorber was not tolerant to the over-torque, and an inspection plan has been developed to track any NLG shock absorber-to-main barrel attachment bolts status. * * * * * * * * We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, and MD-11F airplanes. This AD requires installing an in-line fuse in certain float level switches and sleeving the wires between the fuel tank and the in- line fuse. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires installing an in-line fuse in certain fuel pump pressure switches. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.