Department of Transportation April 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for a proposed highway project in the City of San Diego, California.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection for scribe lines and cracks in the fuselage skin at certain lap joints, butt joints, external repair doublers, and other areas; and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of fuselage skin cracks adjacent to the skin lap joints on airplanes that had scribe lines. Scribe line damage can also occur at many other locations, including butt joints, external doublers, door scuff plates, the wing-to-body fairing, and areas of the fuselage where decals have been applied or removed. We are proposing this AD to prevent rapid decompression of the airplane due to fatigue cracks resulting from scribe lines on pressurized fuselage structure.

The Federal Transit Administration is revising its rule on state safety oversight of rail fixed guideway systems not regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Since January 26, 1996, when the rule took effect, the agency has gained experience and insight concerning the benefits of and recommended practices for implementing state safety oversight requirements. This final rule revises the State Safety Oversight rule and adds clarifying sections, further specification concerning what the state must require to monitor safety and security of non-FRA rail systems, and incorporates into the body of the regulation material previously incorporated by reference. The revised part should be easier to understand and ensure greater compliance of the State oversight agencies, and enhance the safety and security of the rail systems governed by this part.

This action modifies Federal Airway 208 (V-208) by changing the originating point of the airway from the Santa Catalina, CA, Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) to the Ventura, CA, VORTAC. This modification extends V-208 by incorporating a route segment that air traffic control (ATC) frequently assigns to aircraft arriving in the Los Angeles, CA, terminal area. This action will enhance air safety, simplify routings, and reduce controller workload in the Southern California area.

The FAA is correcting a typographical error in an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register on March 14, 2005 (70 FR 12401). The error resulted in specifying a non-existing part number. This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-300, - 400, and -500 series airplanes modified in accordance with STC ST00127BO. This AD requires installation of bonding straps to the safe side harnesses of the digital transient suppression device of the fuel quantity indicating system.

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption, part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains the disposition of certain petitions previously received. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing brackets that hold the P5 panel to the airplane structure, the standby compass bracket assembly, the generator drive and standby power module, and the air conditioning module. This proposed AD also would require, among other actions, inspecting for wire length and for damage of the connectors and the wire bundles, and doing applicable corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by an electrical burning smell in the flight compartment. We are proposing this AD to prevent wire bundles from contacting the overhead dripshield panel and modules in the P5 overhead panel, which could result in electrical arcing and shorting of the electrical connector and consequent loss of several critical systems essential for safe flight.

In accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) (42 U.S.C. 13211-13219) as amended by the Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-388), and Executive Order (EO) 13149, ``Greening the Government Through Federal Fleet and Transportation Efficiency,'' the Department of Transportation's FY 2004 annual alternative fuel vehicle report is available on the Department of Transportation Web site: https://isddc.dot.gov/OLPFiles/OST/ 011928.pdf. The report is also available at: https://isddc.dot.gov, follow the search instructions to search for ``DOT FY04 AFV.''

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application to impose and use the revenue from a PFC at Arcata Airport, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 40117 and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158).

This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace area at Sutton, WV. The development of a Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) based on area navigation (RNAV) to serve flights into Braxton County Airport, Sutton, WV under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) has made this proposal necessary. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain aircraft executing the approach. The area would be depicted on aeronautical charts for pilot reference.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Model Hawker 800XP airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to detect damage of certain wiring in the flight compartment, performing corrective actions if necessary, modifying certain wiring connections, and revising the airplane flight manual. This AD is prompted by reports of miswiring in the power distribution system. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is aware of the source of battery power for certain equipment, and to prevent damage to wiring and surrounding equipment that could result in smoke or fire on the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dornier Model 328-300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the electrical wiring of the fuel pumps; installing insulation at the flow control and shut-off valves, and other components of the environmental control system; installing markings at fuel wiring harnesses; replacing the wiring harness of the auxiliary fuel system with a new wiring harness; and installing insulated couplings in the fuel system; as applicable. This proposed AD also would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new inspections of the fuel tank system. This proposed AD is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews conducted by the airplane manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the agency has published six amendments and has held one public meeting on standards for reinforcing flightdeck doors. The FAA sought public comments for each amendment, but all six were effective immediately on publication. The agency disposed of some comments that related specifically to the reinforced door requirements in later amendments. This action disposes of the remaining comments.

This action amends Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations, part 71 (14 CFR 71) by revising Class E airspace areas at Columbus, NE. A review of the Class E airspace surface area and the Class E airspace area extending upward from 700 feet above ground level (AGL) at Columbus, NE reveals neither area complies with criteria for extensions nor reflects the current Airport reference point (ARP) for the Columbus Municipal Airport. Also, the legal descriptions of both areas are not in proper format. These airspace areas and their legal descriptions are modified to conform to the criteria in FAA Orders.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of the airport property. The proposal consists of 2 parcels of land totaling approximately 6.13 acres. Current use and present condition is as an overflow parking area for car rental vehicles on the southern portion of subject parcels. The northern portion of subject parcels is vacant, unimproved land. The land was not acquired with federal funds. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. The proposal concerns selling the land to a corporation that will construct a commercial office building on the site. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of the airport property will be in accordance FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the top and side panel webs and panel stiffeners of the nose wheel well (NWW), and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD expands the area of inspection, adds a new ``secondary'' inspection if certain cracking is found, and reduces the intervals for the repetitive inspections. This AD is prompted by a report of an in-flight decompression of a Model 747-100 series airplane that had accumulated 27,241 total flight cycles. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks in the top and side panel webs and stiffeners of the NWW, which could compromise the structural integrity of the NWW and could lead to the rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD requires an inspection of the Thales Avionics distance bearing indicator (DBI) to determine part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N), and replacement of the affected DBI with a new or modified DBI. This AD is prompted by a report of defective electrical insulators in DBIs. We are issuing this AD to prevent a short circuit in the DBI due to defective electrical insulation, which could potentially cause a loss of primary navigation instruments (such as airspeed indicator, altimeter, and global positioning system (GPS) information).

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all LET a.s. (formerly LET n.p.) (LET) Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes. This AD requires you to replace the original control bridge with the new strengthened control column mounting bridge. This AD is the result of a report of one case of cracks in the attachment of control levers on the control bridge. We are issuing this AD to correct cracks in the bedding of the front and rear control levers, which could result in failure of the control bridge for the sailplane. This failure could lead to loss of sailplane control.

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 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, that would have required repetitive operation of the exterior emergency door handle of the forward passenger door to determine if binding exists in the exterior emergency control handle mechanism, and corrective action, if necessary. This new action revises the proposed rule by requiring revised procedures for the operational test. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the forward passenger doors to operate properly in an emergency condition, which could delay an emergency evacuation and possibly result in injury to passengers and flightcrew. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.