Department of Transportation November 9, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval for a new information collection related to the Nation's ferry operations. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 30, 2005 (70 FR 51409) and the comment period ended on October 30, 2005. The 60-day notice produced no comments.

On November 1, 2005, the Surface Transportation Board issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), notice of availability of a draft Scope of Study for the EIS, notice of scoping meetings, and request for comments for the subject proceeding that contained an inadvertent error (see 70 FR 65976). The due date for comments was identified as January 13, 2005. The correct date is January 13, 2006. Please revise your copies accordingly.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required verifying the part and serial numbers of certain main landing gear (MLG) bogie beam pivot pins; replacing those pivot pins with new or overhauled pivot pins if necessary; and ultimately replacing all pivot pins with new, improved pivot pins. The original NPRM was prompted by reports indicating that numerous fractures of the MLG bogie beam pivot pin have been found and that some pivot pins may have had improper rework during manufacture. This action revises the original NPRM by adding new inspections; revising the inspection thresholds and repetitive intervals; and revising the compliance time for replacing all pivot pins with new- material pins. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent fracture of the MLG bogie beam pivot pin, which could lead to possible loss of the MLG truck during takeoff or landing and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the lower web of the aft fairing of engine struts for any discoloration and doing any related investigative and corrective action if necessary; inspecting the heat shield castings for any damage and doing any corrective action if necessary; installing gap cover strips; and replacing insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. This proposed AD results from a report that several discolored fairing lower webs and some damaged/ deteriorated insulation blankets were found in the aft fairings of engine struts. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of lower webs of the aft fairings, which could result in flammable hydraulic fluid leaking onto or near an ignition source, and possibly result in an uncontrollable fire in the engine strut area.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing a rivet and washer in the hole of the upper frame of the auxiliary power unit (APU) firewall. This proposed AD results from a report indicating that, during production, a pinhole was left open at the upper frame of the APU firewall. We are proposing this AD to ensure that the APU compartment is isolated from the rest of the airplane in the event of an APU fire.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems (formerly Sundstrand Power Systems) auxiliary power units (APUs) models T-62T-46C2, T-62T-46C2A, T-62T- 46C3, T-62T-46C7, and T-62T-46C7A, with compressor impeller assembly, part number (P/N) 4502020 or 4502020A, installed. This AD requires removal from service of those compressor impeller assemblies at reduced service life limits. This AD results from two reports of uncontained failures of compressor impeller assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncontained APU failure and damage to the airplane.