Department of Transportation January 3, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Each year pipeline operators randomly select employees to test for prohibited drugs. The number of selections may not be less than the minimum annual percentage rate the Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) determines, either 50 percent or 25 percent of covered employees, based on the industry's positive rate of random tests. In accordance with applicable standards, RSPA/OPS has determined that the positive rate of random drug tests reported by operators this calendar year for testing done in calendar year 2003 is less than 1.0 percent. Therefore, in calendar year 2005, the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing is 25 percent of covered employees.

The FAA proposes to adopt 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 proposed AD would require modifying the side cowl assemblies on the engines by replacing existing wear plates with new extended wear plates and installing new stop fittings. This proposed 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 proposing 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.

This document corrects a typographical error that appeared in airworthiness directive (AD) 2004-24-06 that was published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2004 (69 FR 69505). The typographical error resulted in incorrect reference to certain main landing gear (MLG) part numbers as retract actuator bracket attachment bolt (RABAB) part numbers. This AD is applicable to certain Saab Model SAAB SF340A and SAAB 340B series airplanes. This AD requires replacement of the RABAB of the MLG with a new RABAB; reidentification of the MLG shock strut; an inspection for corrosion, fretting, or other damage of certain RABABs; and applicable corrective actions.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron (BHTC) model helicopters. This action requires certain checks and inspections of the tail rotor blades. If a crack is found, before further flight, this AD requires replacing the tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade. This amendment is prompted by three reports of cracked blades found during scheduled inspections. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect a crack in the blade and prevent loss of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is revising the regulations concerning registering aircraft and recording security documents. The Cape Town Treaty establishes a new International Registry for registering interests against certain aircraft and aircraft engines. Section 4 of the Cape Town Treaty Implementation Act of 2004 requires the FAA to make certain changes. This action will enable persons to transmit information to the new International Registry concerning certain aircraft and aircraft engines by making the FAA Aircraft Registry the U.S. authorizing entry point to the International Registry. We are also making unrelated technical changes to other portions of the regulations in this document.