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

The FAA recently issued a letter responding to a request from the Regional Airlines Association (RAA) for a blanket waiver of the minimum slot usage requirement for all slots at the three High Density Traffic Airports. The text of that letter is set forth in this notice.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the FAA's Record of Decision (ROD), resulting from an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its I-49 Connector Highway Project (State Project No. 700-24-0073 and Federal Aid Project No. DE-0009 (802) through Lafeyette, Louisiana.

This notice publishes FMCSA's receipt of applications from 49 individuals for an exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the vision standard prescribed in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Model 500, 550, S550, 560, 560XL, and 750 airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing identification sleeves on the wires for the positive and negative terminal studs of the engine and/or auxiliary power unit (APU) fire extinguishing bottles, as applicable, and re-connecting the wires to the correct terminal studs. This proposed AD results from a report of mis-wired fire extinguishing bottles. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the fire extinguishing bottles are activated in the event of an engine or APU fire, and that flammable fluids are not supplied during a fire, which could result in an unextinguished fire in the nacelle or APU.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 airplanes equipped with CFE Company CFE738-1-1B turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require determining the serial number of the engines installed on the airplane, inspecting any affected engine to verify that a spherical bearing is installed on the attachment fitting of the engine mount, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of a missing spherical bearing on the attachment fitting of the front engine mount on an in-service airplane, and subsequent damage and abnormal fatigue of the attachment fitting. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the engine mount, which could result in possible separation of an engine from the airplane.

The FAA is correcting a typographical error in an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register on September 15, 2005 (70 FR 54474). The error resulted in an inadvertent reference to a nonexistent paragraph. This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747- 200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed and ultrasonic inspections of the thrust links of the rear engine mounts for any crack or fracture and corrective actions if necessary.

The FAA is correcting a typographical error in an NPRM that was published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2005 (70 FR 54318). The error resulted in an incorrect Docket No. The NPRM applies to certain Sabreliner Model NA-265, NA-265-20, NA-265-30, NA-265-40, NA-265-50, NA-265-60, NA-265-65, NA-265-70, and NA-265-80 series airplanes. The NPRM would require repetitive inspections for discrepancies in the front and rear spars of the wing in the area of the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar and wing trailing edge panel rib, and corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM also would require inspections for fuel leaks of the front and rear spars of the wing, and for discrepancies in the front and rear spars of the wing in the area of the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar and wing trailing edge panel rib; and related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary.

The FAA is correcting a typographical error in an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2005 (70 FR 54249). The error resulted in an incorrect Docket No. This AD applies to certain Aerospatiale Model ATR42-500 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting for correct installation of the fastener that attaches the ground braids on the elevator, modifying the forward bonded assembly of the elevator control rod, and corrective action if necessary.

This document revises the list of vehicles not originally manufactured to conform to the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) that NHTSA has decided to be eligible for importation. This list is contained in an appendix to the agency's regulations that prescribe procedures for import eligibility decisions. The list has been revised to add all vehicles that NHTSA has decided to be eligible for importation since October 1, 2004, and to remove all previously listed vehicles that are now more than 25 years old and need no longer comply with all applicable FMVSS to be lawfully imported. NHTSA is required by statute to publish this list annually in the Federal Register.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-200C, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747- 400F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of certain fuselage internal structure, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by fatigue tests and analysis that identified areas of the fuselage where fatigue cracks can occur. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of the structural integrity of the fuselage, which could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all the Airbus models identified above. This AD requires modifying the electrical power supply logic for the integral lighting of the standby horizon indicator in the cockpit, accomplishing repetitive operational tests of the integral lighting logic system, and performing corrective action if necessary. This AD is prompted by a report of temporary loss of six cathode ray tube (CRT) flight displays and the integral lighting of the standby horizon indicator backlight in the cockpit during takeoff, due to failure of the normal electrical power circuit. That power circuit supplies power to both the CRTs and the standby horizon indicator backlight. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of the integral lighting due to failure of the normal electrical power circuit, which could result in inability of the pilot to read the backup attitude information during takeoff, and possible deviation from the intended flight path.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and 767-300 series airplanes. This AD requires performing a general visual inspection to determine the part number of the I-beams of the center overhead stowage bin modules to identify I-beams having 9.0g (gravitational acceleration) tie rods attached and to determine the configuration of the center overhead stowage bin modules. For certain center overhead stowage bin modules, this AD requires installing support straps. This AD results from tests conducted by the airplane manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the attachment of the 9.0g tie rods to the center overhead stowage bin modules. This failure could result in collapse of those stowage bin modules, and consequent injury to passengers and crew and interference with their ability to evacuate the airplane in an emergency.

FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to specify that a driver who passed knowledge and skills tests approved by the Agency for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) school bus endorsement prior to September 30, 2002, meets the requirements of 49 CFR 383.123. FMCSA also amends the FMCSRs to provide that States have until September 30, 2006, to administer knowledge and skills tests that comply, to all school bus drivers. Finally, to conform with extension of the compliance date, the expiration date for allowing States to waive the driving skills test under 49 CFR 383.123(b) is extended to September 30, 2006. As a result of this interim rule, the 2-year exemptions for drivers in 11 States from the knowledge and skills testing requirement proposed in the FMCSA notice published July 14, 2005, are no longer necessary.

This action proposes to establish seven Area Navigation Instrument Flight Rules Terminal Transition Routes (RITTR) in the Jacksonville, FL, terminal area. RITTRs are low altitude Air Traffic Service routes, based on Area Navigation (RNAV), for use by aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR)-approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The purpose of RITTR is to expedite the handling of IFR overflight aircraft through busy terminal airspace areas. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace in the Jacksonville, FL, terminal area. This proposed rulemaking action was originally published in the Federal Register on July 1, 2005 (70 FR 38053). On that date, the proposal was listed in the table of contents under Proposed Rules, ``Class E airspace,'' rather than ``Area navigation routes.'' Following the close of the comment period, the FAA was contacted by an aviation organization stating that they had not seen the NPRM for this action and desired to submit comments. It was determined that no comments had been received during the comment period. Therefore, the FAA has decided to reopen the comment period for 30 days to provide an additional opportunity for any similarly affected parties to submit comments.

The purpose of this Notice is to make available for public review and comment the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the Port of Anchorage, Cherry Hill Gravel Extraction Project (Project). The DEA analyzes the potential impacts on the natural and manmade environment associated with gravel extraction from Elmendorf Air Force Base to be used as fill for the Port of Anchorage Intermodal Expansion.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes, and A340-541 and A340-642 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine if certain emergency escape slides/slide rafts (referred to as slide/rafts) are installed in certain crew/passenger doors; and, if so, performing a one-time inspection to determine if the electrical harnesses of the slide/rafts are properly routed, and rerouting the harnesses if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report that a slide/raft failed to deploy properly during a deployment test. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct improper routing of the electrical harnesses of certain slide/rafts, which could prevent proper deployment of the slide/rafts and delay evacuation of passengers and flightcrew during an emergency.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the lubrication passage and link assembly joint in the inboard and outboard flaps of the trailing edge for discrepancies, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD would require new inspections for cracking or severe wear of the bearings of the link assembly, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require inspecting any link assembly not previously inspected for damage and replacing it with a new assembly if necessary. This proposed AD also ends the existing repetitive inspections for certain airplanes, and extends the repetitive interval for the existing repetitive inspections and the compliance time for the corrective action on certain other airplanes. This proposed AD also provides an optional terminating action that would end the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD results from additional reports indicating fractured bearings of the link assembly joint in the inboard and outboard flaps of the trailing edge. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the bearings in the link assembly joint, which could result in separation of the inboard or outboard flap and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration are issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for proposed highway and transit improvements in the Interstate 5 Columbia River Crossing (CRC) corridor between the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver/ Clark County, Washington area.

This final rule amends the FAA's regulations on the crashworthiness of passenger and flight attendant seats on transport category airplanes used in part 121 passenger-carrying operations. This final rule requires those transport category airplanes type- certificated after January 1, 1958 which have not yet been manufactured that are used in part 121 passenger-carrying operations to have passenger and flight attendant seats that meet the current improved crashworthiness standards. This action is necessary because research, accident data, and analysis show that these improvements provide increased occupant protection in airplanes involved in impact- survivable accidents.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A318- 121 and A318-122 airplanes equipped with Pratt and Whitney PW6000 engines. These airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes, associated with engine size and torque load, which affect sudden engine stoppage. 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.

This action modifies Restricted Area R-3004, Fort Gordon, GA, by vertically subdividing the airspace into two separate areas; R-3004A (surface to 7,000 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL)) and R-3004B (7,001 feet MSL to 16,000 feet MSL). This modification will not alter the existing lateral boundary or current upper limit of restricted airspace, or change the use of the area. The FAA is taking this action to allow for more efficient real-time utilization of the airspace during periods when only the lower segment of the restricted area is needed for military operations.