Department of Transportation 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act) prohibits the sale, manufacture for sale, import or introduction into interstate commerce of a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment, unless fully compliant with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). The FMVSS set a threshold of performance that a vehicle or equipment item must attain, at a minimum, to meet the need for safety. The Safety Act also requires a manufacturer or distributor of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment to certify that the vehicle or equipment complies with applicable FMVSS. This notice reestablishes NHTSA's longstanding position that the FMVSS test conditions and procedures apply to NHTSA's compliance testing, and that manufacturers are not required to ensure that their vehicles are designed in such a manner as to ensure that the vehicles are capable of being tested pursuant to such standards as a condition of self-certification. This notice also discusses NHTSA's enforcement with respect to vehicles with novel or innovative designs that preclude them from being tested for FMVSS compliance using NHTSA's FMVSS test procedures. This notice supersedes prior contrary statements the Agency has madeincluding those in NHTSA's 2016 letter of interpretation to Google, Inc.stating that manufacturers could not validly certify FMVSS compliance unless NHTSA could verify compliance using the FMVSS test procedures.

By Federal Register notice of Friday, November 27, 2020, titled Notice of Availability; Notice of Virtual Public Meetings; Request for Comments, the Maritime Administration (MARAD), in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), announced the availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Texas GulfLink LLC (GulfLink) deepwater port license application for the export of crude oil from the United States to nations abroad. Publication of this notice announced a 45-day comment period, requested public participation in the environmental impact review process, provided information on how to participate in the environmental impact review process, and announced the two virtual public meetings and an informational open house website for the DEIS. The notice advised that the comment period for Texas GulfLink would end on January 11, 2021. MARAD and USCG have determined that an extension of the public comment period to January 22, 2021 for the GulfLink application is necessary to allow the public and interested parties a full 45 days to review the application and provide written feedback to the agencies. This extension is due to delays in getting the DEIS fully posted on the project's docket at www.regulations.gov. This notice announces the extension of the comment period and new comment period end date.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), in accordance with the National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, announce the next meeting of the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG). This notification provides the date, format, and agenda for the meeting.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L, AS332L1, AS332C, and AS332C1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the failure of a second stage planet gear installed in the main gearbox (MGB). This proposed AD would require identifying the part number of each second stage planet gear assembly installed in the MGB, replacing an MGB having certain second stage planet gear assembly part numbers with a serviceable MGB, modifying the helicopter by installing a full flow magnetic plug (FFMP), repetitively inspecting the FFMP and the MGB bottom housing and conical housing for metal particles, analyzing any metal particles that are found, and applying corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 8, 2020.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFM International, S.A. (CFM) LEAP-1A23, LEAP-1A24, LEAP- 1A24E1, LEAP-1A26, LEAP-1A26CJ, LEAP-1A26E1, LEAP-1A29, LEAP-1A29CJ, LEAP-1A30, LEAP-1A32, LEAP-1A33, LEAP-1A33B2, LEAP-1A35A model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an investigation by CFM that showed a subsurface anomaly in a part manufactured using the same material as the LEAP-1A high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 2 disk. This AD requires an ultrasonic inspection (UI) of the HPT stage 2 disk and replacement of any HPT stage 2 disk that fails the UI with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that some piccolo ducts for the wing anti-ice system have bleed holes that do not conform to requirements. This proposed AD would require, depending on airplane configuration, inspection for the presence of affected wing anti-ice system piccolo ducts and corrective actions, or replacement of affected piccolo ducts with new piccolo ducts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03- 18, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318-111, -112, -121, and - 122 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, -113, -114, -115, -131, -132, and -133 airplanes; and Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and - 233 airplanes. AD 2019-03-18 required repetitive general visual inspections for cracks, and replacement if necessary, of certain main landing gear (MLG) sliding tubes that were subject to improperly performed magnetic particle inspections. This AD continues to require repetitive general visual inspections of the affected MLG sliding tubes for cracks and replacement if necessary, and requires inspections, and replacement if necessary, of additional MLG sliding tubes; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by the identification of additional MLG sliding tubes that might have been subject to the same improperly performed magnetic particle inspection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant Netradyne, Inc's. (Netradyne) application for a limited 5-year exemption to allow its Driveri[supreg] Dash Cam to be mounted lower in the windshield on commercial motor vehicles (CMV) than is currently permitted. The Agency has determined that lower placement of the Driveri[supreg] Dash Cam would not have an adverse impact on safety and that adherence to the terms and conditions of the exemption would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety provided by the regulation.

NHTSA is soliciting applications for appointment/reappointment to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) NEMSAC. The purpose of NEMSAC is to serve as a nationally recognized council of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) representatives and consumers to provide advice and recommendations regarding EMS to DOT. Through NHTSA, NEMSAC's advice is provided to the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS).

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Rolls-Royce plc) (RRD) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, 772B-60 and 772C-60 model turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement of high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades with parts eligible for installation before exceeding specified flight cycles since new. This AD was prompted by several reports from the manufacturer that HPT blades on RB211 Trent 700 model turbofan engines have been subject to high levels of corrosion fatigue, leading to blade cracking and eventual release, resulting in an aborted take-off and in-flight shut- downs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On July 22, 2020, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

This notice announces actions taken by TxDOT and Federal agencies that are final. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for these projects are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to an assignment agreement executed by FHWA and TxDOT. The actions relate to various proposed highway projects in the State of Texas. These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the projects.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 560XL airplanes. This AD was prompted by an incident where a Model 560XL airplane experienced an uncommanded engine acceleration with the left engine throttle unresponsive to power commands, including engine shut-off. This AD requires an inspection of the rivet of the left and right throttle quadrant assembly (TQA) sensor link and sensor drive arm pivot for correct installation and corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-19-25, which applies to all Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model CN-235, CN-235-100, CN-235-200, and CN-235-300 airplanes; and Model C- 295 airplanes. AD 2017-19-25 requires repetitive inspections and operational checks of the affected fuel valves, and corrective actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-19-25, it has been determined that it is necessary to limit the installation of affected parts specified in AD 2017-19-25 to those parts that are maintained in accordance with certain instructions. This proposed AD would continue to require repetitive inspections and operational checks of the affected fuel valves, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also limit the installation of affected parts to those that that are maintained in accordance with certain instructions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes (Boeing) Model 777-9 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport- category airplanes. This design feature is an overhead flightcrew rest (OFCR) compartment occupiable during taxi, takeoff, and landing (TT&L). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the El Paso International Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

The FAA proposes to rule and invite public comment on the release of land at the Monroe Regional Airport under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-12- 12, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B and EC130B4 helicopters. AD 2014-12-12 required inspecting and, if necessary, replacing parts of the sliding door star support attachment assembly. This AD requires modifying the sliding door star support stringer as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). This AD was prompted by several incidents involving helicopter left-hand side doors (both swinging and sliding) that revealed weaknesses in the locking mechanism. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-9, V-63, V-100, V-158, and V-171; amend Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-325; and remove VOR Federal airway V-127 in the vicinity of Rockford, IL. The air traffic service (ATS) route modifications are necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Rockford, IL, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/ DME) navigation aid (NAVAID). Except for RNAV route T-325, the Rockford VOR/DME NAVAID provides navigation guidance for portions of the affected routes listed above. The Rockford VOR is being decommissioned as part of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70/75/ P2, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx- 1B76A/P2, and GEnx-2B67/P model turbofan engines with a certain high- pressure turbine (HPT) rotor stage 2 disk installed. This AD was prompted by a report of the potential for undetected subsurface anomalies formed during the manufacturing process that could result in uncontained failure of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk. This AD requires an immersion ultrasonic inspection (USI) of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the HPT rotor stage 2 disk with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 and EMB-545 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks, delamination, and failure of the flight deck side windows during certification fatigue tests. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the flight deck side windows for any cracking or delamination, corrective action if necessary, and eventual replacement of the windows, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.