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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection for corrosion and cracks of the station 980 upper deck floor beam, and repair and related investigative actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of corrosion under the cart lift threshold at the station 980 upper deck floor beam. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such corrosion, which could result in a cracked or broken floor beam, extensive damage to adjacent structure, and possible rapid decompression of the airplane.

This amendment establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, addition of new obstacles, or changes in air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This document corrects the final rule updating 49 CFR Part 24 published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2005 (70 FR 590). The FHWA is making two corrections. First, references to ``market value'' are corrected to ``fair market value.'' Second, in Appendix A, Section 24.103 the numerical reference is corrected.

This action revises Class E airspace at Nome, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP). This Rule results in additional Class E surface area and Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Nome, AK.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (Jetstream) Model 4101 airplanes. The existing AD 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 section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness in the aircraft maintenance manual to reflect the new life limits. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS to incorporate extended and more restrictive life limits for structurally significant items. This proposed AD is prompted by engineering analysis of fleet operations which resulted in more restrictive life limits. We are proposing 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead web for fatigue cracks, crack indications, discrepant holes, and corrosion, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of fatigue cracks in the aft pressure bulkhead web. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such fatigue cracks, which could result in a rapid decompression of the airplane.

FRA is issuing a safety advisory to facilitate improved cooperation in the investigation of collisions at highway-rail grade crossings. The advisory describes the roles of the Federal and state governments and of the railroads in highway-rail grade crossing safety. FRA reminds railroads of their responsibility to: Properly report any accident involving grade crossing signal failure; properly maintain records relating to credible reports of grade crossing warning system malfunctions; properly preserve the data from all locomotive-mounted recording devices following highway-rail grade crossing collisions; and cooperate fully with local law enforcement authorities during their investigations of such accidents. FRA also offers assistance to local authorities in the investigation of highway-rail grade crossing collisions where information or expertise within FRA's control is required to complete the investigation.