Department of Transportation 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Aerospatiale Model ATR-42-200, ATR 42-300, and ATR42-320 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspections to determine the proper installation of rivets in certain key holes and to detect cracks in the area of the key holes where rivets are missing; and correction of discrepancies. The existing AD also requires various inspections of the subject area for discrepancies, and corrective actions if necessary; and replacement of certain cargo door hinges with new hinges. For certain airplanes, the existing AD also requires replacement of friction plates, stop fittings, and bolts with new parts. This proposed AD would require additional corrective actions for certain airplanes. This proposed AD is prompted by discovery of cracks around key holes on certain fuselage frames where rivets were missing. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue cracks of the cargo door skin, certain frames, and entry door stop fittings and friction plates, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

This action changes the using agency of Restricted Areas R- 2510A & R-2510B, from ``CO, Yuma MCAS, AZ,'' to ``Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, San Diego, CA.'' The FAA is taking this action in response to a request from the United States Navy to reflect an administrative change of responsibility for the restricted areas. There are no changes to the boundaries; designated altitudes; time of designation; or activities conducted within the affected restricted areas.

This Notice amends and updates the list of devices that conform to the Model Specifications for Screening Devices to Measure Alcohol in Bodily Fluids.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CT7-5A2, -5A3, -7A, -7A1, -9B, -9B1, and -9B2 turboprop engines, with stage 2 turbine aft cooling plate, part number (P/N) 6064T07P01, 6064T07P02, 6064T07P05, or 6068T36P01 installed. This AD requires a onetime eddy current inspection (ECI) of certain P/N stage 2 turbine aft cooling plate boltholes. This AD results from reports of six stage 2 turbine aft cooling plates found cracked during inspection. We are issuing this AD to prevent stage 2 aft cooling plate separation, resulting in uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

FRA announces the next meeting of the RSAC, a Federal Advisory Committee that develops railroad safety regulations through a consensus process. The RSAC meeting topics include a briefing on the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; the National Rail Safety Action Plan; the new precess for rail safety oversight; Congressional reports; and the railroad industry's response to natural disasters. Status reports will be given on the Passenger Safety, Railroad Operating Rules, Roadway Worker, and other active working groups. The Committee will be asked to vote on the Passenger Safety Working Group (1) Emergency Preparedness recommendations for a proposed rescue window access time line, (2) Mechanical recommendations and (3) Crashworthiness recommendations for the notice of proposed rulemaking.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2005 (70 FR 51857) a notice of a public meeting concerning the implementation of the North American Standard for Protection Against Shifting or Falling Cargo. The meeting was scheduled to be held on September 29-30, 2005 at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi. However, due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the location of this meeting has been moved from Biloxi, Mississippi, to the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis which is located at One South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis IN 46204. Reservations can be made by contacting the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis by phone (317) 632-1234 or by fax (317) 616-6299.

The Department of Transportation is directing all interested persons to show cause why it should not issue an order finding PM Air, LLC fit, willing, and able, and awarding it a certificate of public convenience and necessity to engage in interstate scheduled air transportation of persons, property, and mail operating no more than two aircraft in scheduled service under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all British Aerospace Model BAC 1-11 200 and 400 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to contain applicable AFM amendments, which advise the flightcrew of information pertaining to safely operating the fuel system. The proposed AD would also require revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to include certain repetitive maintenance tasks intended to improve the safety of the fuel system. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent potential ignition sources inside the fuel system, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747- 200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SR series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection to determine whether any steel doubler (small or large) is installed at the lower forward and upper aft corners of the fuselage cutout at main entry doors (MEDs) number 3. Depending on the results of this inspection, this proposed AD also would require repetitive inspections for cracks of the skin, bearstrap, and small steel doubler (if installed) at the applicable corner or corners of the fuselage cutouts, and related investigative/ corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would provide the optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections of installing a large steel doubler at the affected corners. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of cracks in the skin and bearstrap at the upper aft corner and at the lower forward corner of the fuselage cutout at MEDs number 3. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the skin, bearstrap, and small steel doubler (if installed), which could propagate and result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

This action codifies the requirements of the Advanced Qualification Program (AQP). Currently, the AQP requirements are in a Special Federal Aviation Regulation that expires on October 2, 2005. The AQP will continue as an alternative regulatory program for airlines seeking more flexibility in training than the traditional training program allows. The intended effect of this rule is to codify the AQP as a permanent, alternative method of compliance with the FAA's training requirements for carriers.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arrius 2 F turboshaft engines. This AD requires removing from service certain serial number (SN) fuel control units (FCUs) or replacing the constant delta pressure diaphragm in those FCUs. This AD results from a report of an accident in July 2005 involving a Eurocopter EC120B helicopter. We are issuing this AD to prevent an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown on a single-engine helicopter, resulting in a forced autorotation landing or an accident.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the dual side braces (DSBs), underwing midspar fittings, and associated parts; other specified actions; and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the inspections and other specified actions. This AD is prompted by reports of corroded, migrated, and rotated bearings for the DSBs in the inboard and outboard struts, a report of a fractured retainer for the eccentric bushing for one of the side links of a DSB, and reports of wear and damage to the underwing midspar fitting on the outboard strut. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of a DSB or underwing midspar fitting load path, which could result in the transfer of loads and motion to other areas of a strut, and possible separation of a strut and engine from the airplane during flight.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for damage (degraded finish; missing, lifted, peeling, or blistering paint; or signs of corrosion) of the interior skin in the forward and aft cargo compartments, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of skin corrosion on four Boeing Model 747 series airplanes that were delivered between 1995 and 1999. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, which can penetrate the thickness of the skin and cause cracking, and result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

The Department of Transportation has submitted the following emergency processing public information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). This notice announces that the Information Collection Requested (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. Comments should be directed to the Office of Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention NHTSA Desk Officer.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) Model 390 airplanes. This AD requires you to replace the rudder pedal arm assemblies used in the rudder control system with parts of improved design. This AD results from reports of cracks found on the rudder pedal arm assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the rudder pedal arm assemblies caused by fatigue cracks. This failure could lead to loss of rudder control, loss of nose gear steering, and loss of toe brakes on the side on which the failure occurs.

This is to notify the public that PHMSA is investigating the unauthorized marking of high- and low-pressure compressed gas cylinders, including fire extinguishers, oxygen cylinders, and self- contained breathing apparatus, by All-Out Fire Equipment Co., Inc. The company is located at 385 High Street, Holbrook, NY. On June 15, 2004, two inspectors from the Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement (OHMEEastern Region) conducted a compliance inspection of All-Out Fire Equipment Co., Inc. During the inspection, PHMSA obtained evidence that All-Out Fire Equipment Co., Inc. had marked, certified, and returned to service an undetermined number of cylinders as being properly tested in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), without conducting the required hydrostatic testing of those cylinders. All-Out Fire Equipment Co., Inc.'s retest records revealed that, from November 2003 through June 2004, All-Out Fire Equipment Co., Inc. had returned to service hundreds of cylinders without hydrostatically testing them. In addition, PHMSA found no records of hydrostatic testing for cylinders All-Out Fire Equipment Co., Inc. had requalified prior to November 2003. This and other evidence obtained by PHMSA indicates that All-Out Fire Equipment Co., Inc. also failed to perform required hydrostatic testing on cylinders it requalified prior to November 2003. Hydrostatic retesting and visual inspection, conducted as prescribed in the HMR, are used to verify the structural integrity of a cylinder. If the hydrostatic retesting and visual inspection are not performed in accordance with the HMR, a cylinder with compromised structural integrity may be returned to service when it should have been condemned in the first place. Extensive property damage, serious personal injury, or death could result from rupture of a cylinder. Cylinders that have not been retested in accordance with the HMR may not be charged or filled with compressed gas or other hazardous material.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirement (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. 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 July 6, 2005.

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. Requests 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'' denote a modification request. 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 Airbus transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the existing cabin altitude indicator in the cabin pressure control panel with a new, improved cabin altitude indicator. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of injuries occurring on in- service airplanes when crewmembers forcibly initiated opening of passenger/crew doors against residual pressure causing the doors to rapidly open. We are proposing this AD to prevent injury to crewmembers, and subsequent damage to the airplane caused by rapid opening of the door.