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

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 727-100 and -100C series airplanes, that would have required repetitive inspections of the frame inner chord, outer chord, and web of the forward and aft edge frames of the lower lobe forward cargo door (FCD) cutout, and corrective action if necessary. This new action revises the proposed rule by adding high frequency eddy current inspections and a detailed inspection for cracks of certain areas described above. This new action also removes one airplane from the applicability. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the forward and aft edge frames of the lower lobe FCD cutout, which could result in the loss of the FCD and rapid decompression of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier Model DHC-7 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require implementing a corrosion prevention and control program (CPCP) either by accomplishing specific tasks or by revising the maintenance inspection program to include a CPCP. This proposed AD is prompted by the determination that, as airplanes age, they are more likely to exhibit indications of corrosion. We are proposing this AD to prevent structural failure of the airplane due to corrosion.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all CENTRAIR 101 Series gliders. This proposed AD would require you to make pen and ink changes to the Limitations Section of the glider maintenance manual to eliminate contradictory information concerning the structural life limit. This proposed AD results from a review by FAA of the Limitations Section of the CENTRAIR Model 101AP glider maintenance manual that revealed conflicting information concerning the structural life limit. We are issuing this proposed AD to assure that the published life limit is adhered to and to prevent structural failure of the glider once this life limit is reached.

This final rule amends the Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) for seat belt assemblies to redefine the requirements and to establish a new test methodology for emergency-locking retractors. Specifically, this final rule establishes a new acceleration-time corridor, adds a figure illustrating the new acceleration-time corridor, provides a tolerance on angle measurements, and adopts the same instrumentation specifications currently found in other FMVSSs containing crash tests.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 207, Airport Security Access Control Systems.

This action corrects a direct final rule; request for comments that was published in the Federal Register on Friday, July 29, 2005 (70 FR 43741) (FR Doc. 05-21707). It removes the reference to Class C Airspace at Lincoln, NE.

These special conditions are issued for the McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by the Federal Express Corporation, will have an advanced enhanced flight visibility system (EFVS). The EFVS is a novel or unusual design feature which consists of a head up display (HUD) system modified to display forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery. 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes. This AD requires a general visual inspection for damage to the Firex discharge pipes and wye assembly of the fire extinguishing system of the number 2 engine; and corrective and other specified actions, as applicable. This AD results from reports of freezing damage to the Firex discharge pipes and wye assembly of the number 2 engine, and one report of a level 1 ENG FIRE AGENT LO alert during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent accumulation of water in the discharge pipes and possible consequent freezing damage to the discharge pipes and wye assembly, which could lead to failure of the fire extinguishing system during a fire in the number 2 engine.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD requires installing additional shielding of the hydraulic lines in the wing box area. This AD results from the determination that the additional hydraulic line shields will protect the lines from possible impact by tire debris if the tire tread fails. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the hydraulic lines and subsequent leakage from the two hydraulic systems, which could result in loss of braking capability on the affected side of the airplane, asymmetrical braking, and reduced directional controlparticularly during a rejected takeoff.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Bombardier Model DHC-8-100, DHC-8-200, and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires installation of a placard on the instrument panel of the cockpit to advise the flightcrew that positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop during flight is prohibited. Additionally, the existing AD requires eventual installation of an FAA-approved system that would prevent such positioning of the power levers during flight. Installation of that system terminates the requirement for installation of a placard. This new AD requires operators who have incorporated a certain Bombardier service bulletin to perform repetitive operational checks of the beta lockout system and to revise the Airworthiness Limitations document. This AD is prompted by in-service issues reported by operators who incorporated Bombardier Service Bulletin 8-76-24 as an alternative method of compliance to the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent the inadvertent activation of ground beta mode during flight, which could lead to engine overspeed, engine damage or failure, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF6-45A, CF6-50A, CF6-50C, and CF6- 50E series turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require removing from service pre-GE Service Bulletin (SB) No. CF6-50 S/B 72-1268 configuration low pressure turbine (LPT) stage 2 interstage seal assemblies and stage 3 interstage seal assemblies. The proposed AD would also require installing new or reworked configuration stage 2 interstage seal assemblies and stage 3 interstage seal assemblies. This proposed AD results from reports of fan mid shaft separation, leading to separation of the LPT stage 1 disk, disk overspeed, and uncontained engine failure. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

This amendment establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and/or Weather Takeoff Minimums 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.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)Proposed New Runways and Associated Development at Washington Dulles International Airport, has been prepared and is available for public review and comment. The FEIS incorporates a Final Air Quality General Conformity Determination (FGCD), (Preliminary) Final Section 106 Historic Resources Report and a Virginia Coastal Zone Consistency Determination. Written requests for the FEIS and written comments on the FEIS and related documents can be submitted to the individual listed in the section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The EPA 30-day Hold Period and FEIS comment period will commence on August 19, 2005, and will close on September 19, 2005. FEIS Availability: Copies of the FEIS and related documents may be viewed during regular business hours at the following locations: 1. Centreville Regional Library, 14200 St. Germaine Drive, Centreville, VA. 2. Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, VA. 3. Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. 4. Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center Street, Herndon, VA. 5. Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, VA. 6. Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA. 7. Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Road, Ashburn, VA. 8. Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, VA. 9. Middleburg Library, 101 Reed Street, Middleburg, VA. 10. Purcellville Library, 220 E. Main Street, Purcellville, VA. 11. Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise Street, Sterling, VA. 12. Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, VA. 13. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA. A limited number of copies of the FEIS and related documents will also be available for review by appointment only at the following FAA/ Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Offices. Please call to make arrangements for viewing: Federal Aviation Administration, Washington Airports District Office, 23723 Air Freight Lane, Suite 210, Dulles, VA, (703) 661-1368; Washington Dulles International Airport, Airport Managers Office, Main Terminal Baggage Claim Level, Dulles, VA, (703) 572-2710. An Executive Summary will be available August 13, 2005 on Dulles Airport's Web site at https://www.mwaa.com/dulles/ EnvironmentalStudies/RunwaysEIS.htm.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of final policy on Replacing Restraint Systems on Forward and Aft Facing Seats.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, exemptions from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Request of modifications of exemptions (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' demote a modification request. There applications have been separated from the new application for exemption to facilitate processing.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the very high frequency (VHF) antenna located in position 1 of the fuselage with a new, improved VHF antenna. This proposed AD results from a report of the loss of all voice communications due to a lightning strike damaging all the VHF antennas. We are proposing this AD to prevent the loss of voice communication, which when combined with the complexity of the national airspace system, could result in reduced flightcrew situational awareness, increased flightcrew workload, and increased risk of human error, and consequent reduced ability to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by Capital Region Airport Authority under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On February 7, 2005 the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by Capital Region Airport Authority under part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On August 5, 2005, the FAA approved the Capital City Airport noise compatibility program. All of the recommendations of the program were approved. No program elements relating to new or revised flight procedures for noise abatement were proposed by the airport operator.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for Santa Barbara Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150 by City of Santa Barbara. This program was submitted subsequent to a determination by FAA that associated noise exposure maps submitted under 14 CFR part 150 for Santa Barbara Airport were in compliance with applicable requirements, effective June 28, 2005, (FR Vol. 69 pages 40452-40453 published on July 2, 2004). The proposed noise compatibility program will be approved or disapproved on or before January 29, 2006.

This final rule amends the definition of ``low-speed vehicle'' (LSV) in two ways. First, it eliminates the exclusion of trucks from that class of vehicles. Second, it limits the class of LSVs to those vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 1,134 kilograms (2,500 pound).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Model A319-100 series airplanes, Model A320-111 airplanes, Model A320-200 series airplanes, and Model A321-100 series airplanes equipped with any additional center tank (ACT). This proposed AD would require identifying the part number of the ACT and, for certain ACTs, replacing the outer ACT manhole cover and seal. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of an ACT fuel transfer failure due to air leakage around the seal of the outer manhole covers of the ACTs. We are proposing this AD to prevent this leakage, which could result in fuel or fuel vapor leaking into the cargo compartment, and consequent increased risk of a fire in the cargo compartment.

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.

Our safety standard on theft protection specifies vehicle performance requirements intended to reduce the incidence of crashes resulting from theft and accidental rollaway of motor vehicles. As a result of technological advances in the area of theft protection, the terminology used in the regulatory text of the Standard has become outdated and incompatible with key-locking systems that employ electronic codes to lock and unlock the vehicle, and to enable engine activation. This document proposes to amend and reorganize the regulatory text of the Standard so that it better correlates to modern theft protection technology and reflects the agency's interpretation of the existing requirements. The proposed requirements would not impose any new substantive requirements on vehicle manufacturers.

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.