Department of Transportation 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action establishes three area navigation (RNAV) routes over Southwestern and South Central United States in support of the High Altitude Redesign (HAR) program. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace.

This document proposes regulations on the control of internal corrosion when designing and constructing new and replaced gas transmission pipelines. The proposed rule would require an operator to take steps in design and construction to reduce the risk that liquids collecting within the pipeline could result in failures because of internal corrosion. These changes would ease steps an operator must take in operating and maintaining the pipeline to minimize internal corrosion.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, and 727-100C series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracks in the body skin and bear strap at the upper and lower hinge cutouts of the mid-cabin galley doorway, along the upper fastener row of the stringer 14R lap splice, and in the doorstop fitting adjacent to the upper hinge cutout; and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD also provides for optional terminating action for certain inspections. This proposed AD results from reports of skin and bear strap cracking at the upper and lower hinge cutout and along the upper fastener row of the stringer 14R lap splice, and cracking in the doorstop fitting adjacent to the upper hinge cutout. There are also reports of cracking on airplanes previously modified to prevent such cracking. We are proposing this AD to find and fix fatigue cracking of the fuselage, which could result in reduced structural integrity and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

This document grants in full the petition of General Motors Corporation, (GM) for an exemption in accordance with Sec. 543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard, for the Pontiac G6 vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2007. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 22 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from vision standards if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the City of Aiken to waive the requirement that approximately 94 acres of surplus property, located at the Aiken Municipal Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

This notice proposes to establish Class E airspace at Nicholasville, KY. Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) Runway (RWY) 9 and RWY 27 have been developed for Lucas Field Airport. As a result, controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain the SIAPs and for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at Lucas Field Airport. The operating status of the airport will change from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to include IFR operations concurrent with the publication of the SIAPs.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Sabreliner Model NA-265-40, NA-265-50, NA-265-60, NA-265-70, and NA-265-80 series airplanes. That AD currently requires 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. This new AD expands the applicability of the existing AD and requires new repetitive 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. This AD also requires related investigative and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracking in the upper and lower flanges of the front and rear spars of the wing near the wing center section, and in the lugs on the rear spar. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking or other discrepancies in these areas, which could result in structural failure of the wing.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-243, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211 TRENT 700 engines. This AD requires modifying the cowl assemblies of the left- and right-hand thrust reversers. This AD results from a review of certification tests of the thrust reverser, which revealed that certain structural components within the C-duct need strengthening to meet high fatigue loads and maintain structural integrity. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the hinges integrated into the 12 o'clock beam of the thrust reversers, which could result in separation of a thrust reverser from the airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus transport category airplanes. This AD requires repetitive eddy current inspections for cracks of the stiffener fittings of the fuselage at frame (FR) 12A, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also provides a terminating action for the inspections. This AD results from reports of cracks on the upper attachment fitting of the stiffener fitting at FR12A. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the stiffener fittings, which could result in the reduced structural integrity of the floor and rods around FR 12A.

The Department is considering amending its rule on price advertising, and it is seeking comment on several options. Under the existing rule, the Department considers any advertisement that states a price for air transportation that is not the total price the consumer will pay to be unfair or deceptive in violation of the statute under which this provision was adopted in 1984. Although it has not amended the codified rule, in practice the Department has long allowed an exception to it for certain taxes, fees, and other charges that are imposed by a government entity. As a matter of prosecutorial discretion, the Department does not take enforcement action against any advertisement that omits these charges from the quoted fare, provided that the charges are collected on a per-passenger basis and are not ad valorem in nature, and provided further that the advertisement clearly indicates the existence and amount of these charges so that consumers can easily calculate the total fare. The Department has consistently prohibited sellers of air transportation from breaking out other cost elements, such as fuel surcharges, from the advertised fare. Although the Department has denied a recent request to allow separate listing of the fuel surcharges that carriers are adopting in response to soaring fuel costs, the Department has also decided that the time is ripe after 21 years of marketing innovations for a reexamination of the fare- advertising rule and its long-time enforcement policy. Therefore, the Department is asking interested persons to comment on four alternative options: Maintain the current practice either with or without codifying all of its elements in the rule; end the exception for government- imposed charges and enforce the rule as written; revise the rule to eliminate most or all requirements for airfare advertisements but to require that consumers be apprised of the total purchase price before the purchase is made; or eliminate the full-fare advertising rule in its entirety.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing clamps on certain end caps of the overhead distribution ducts, and doing other specified and related investigative actions as necessary. This proposed AD results from finding that the end caps of the overhead distribution ducts for the air conditioning system were not bonded to the ducts with an adhesive. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct loosened end caps, which could change the air flow balance in the airplane. During a smoke event in the cargo or main electronics compartments, the incorrect balance of air flow could change the smoke clearance air capacity and result in smoke and toxic fumes penetrating the flight deck and main cabin.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, - 145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the pitot static heating relay K0057 for damage to the pin-type contacts, relay enclosure, and finishing material and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require doing a terminating modification, which ends the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD results from a report of a burning drain hose and smoke caused by an overheated pitot static heating relay. We are proposing this AD to prevent overheating of a certain pitot static heating relay, which could result in the burning of the windowsill drain hoses and consequent smoke or fire in the airplane cockpit.

These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 737- 200/200C/300/400/500/600/700/700C/800/900 series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, include a new flammability reduction means that uses a nitrogen generation system to reduce the oxygen content in the center wing fuel tank so that exposure to a combustible mixture of fuel and air is substantially minimized. This system is intended to reduce the average flammability exposure of the fleet of airplanes with the system installed to a level equivalent to 3 percent of the airplane operating time. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for the design and installation of this system. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to ensure an acceptable level of safety for the installation of the system and to define performance objectives the system must achieve to be considered an acceptable means for minimizing development of flammable vapors in the fuel tank installation.

This notice announces the availability of, and requests comment on draft Technical Standard Order (TSO) C-172, Cargo Restraint Strap Assemblies. This draft TSO tells persons seeking a TSO authorization or letter of design approval what minimum performance standards (MPS) their Cargo Restraint Strap Assemblies must meet to be identified with the appropriate TSO marking.

This amendment amends Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed 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 FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines without modification TU22 incorporated. This AD requires initial and repetitive visual checks of the free turbine shield for cracks. This AD results from reports of several free turbine shields found with large circumferential cracks. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the free turbine shield, leading to engine misalignment, in-flight engine shutdown, emergency autorotation landing, or accident.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 airplanes equipped with CFE Company CFE738- 1-1B turbofan engines. This AD requires 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 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 issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the engine mount, which could result in possible separation of an engine from the airplane.

The FRA is updating its announcement of RSAC's Working Group activities to reflect its current status.

The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-300 and -300F series airplanes. The proposed AD would have required a one- time operational test of the pilots' seat locks and the seat tracks to ensure that the seats lock in position and the seat tracks are aligned correctly; and re-alignment of the seat tracks, if necessary. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have received new data that the affected airplanes are included in the applicability of an existing AD that addresses the unsafe condition. Accordingly, the proposed AD is withdrawn.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT8D-1, -1A, -1B, -7, -7A, -7B, -9, -9A, -11, -15, -15A, -17, -17A, -17R, and -17AR series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires revisions to the engine manufacturer's time limits section (TLS) to include enhanced inspection of selected critical life- limited parts at each piece-part opportunity. This AD modifies the airworthiness limitations section of the manufacturer's manual and an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program to add an eddy current inspection. An FAA study of in-service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating engine parts has indicated the need for mandatory inspections. The mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in uncontained failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

Under the provisions of title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), the Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on the Kenton County Airport Board's request to trade a portion (1.5 acres) of airport property to V.H. Florence, LLC for a portion (1.5 acres) of V.H. Florence, LLC property effectively changing the airport portion from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and changing the V.H. Florence, LLC from non-aeronautical use to an aeronautical use. The property is to be traded to V.H. Florence, LLC, Florence, Kentucky for a ``Walmart'' development project. The Kenton County Airport Board's 1.5 acres is located on the southern boundary of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport; is a portion of a 238.774 acre parcel; and has no direct access except through adjoining airport property or adjacent V.H. Florence, LLC property, Boone County, Kentucky. The V.H. Florence, LLC's 1.5 acres is located on the southern boundary of Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport; and has no direct access except through adjoining V.H. Florence, LLC property or adjacent airport property, Boone County, Kentucky.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4000 series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires revisions to the engine manufacturer's time limits section (TLS) to include enhanced inspection of selected critical life- limited parts at each piece-part opportunity. This AD modifies the airworthiness limitations section of the manufacturer's manuals and an air carrier's approved continuous airworthiness maintenance program by adding eddy current inspections for front compressor hubs installed in PW 4000-94'' engine models. This AD also adds the PW4062A engine to the applicability. An FAA study of in-service events involving uncontained failures of critical rotating engine parts has indicated the need for mandatory inspections. The mandatory inspections are needed to identify those critical rotating parts with conditions, which if allowed to continue in service, could result in uncontained failures. We are issuing this AD to prevent critical life-limited rotating engine part failure, which could result in an uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.