Department of Transportation February 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice seeks comments about what revisions are needed for the Model Specifications for Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (Model Specifications) published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the Federal Register on April 7, 1992 (57 FR 11772). Model specifications are guidelines for the performance and testing of breath alcohol ignition interlock devices (BAIIDs). These devices are designed to prevent a driver from starting a motor vehicle when the driver's breath alcohol content (BrAC) is at or above a set alcohol level. Because changes may be necessary after more than 13 years of experience with this technology, NHTSA is seeking comments regarding the need for revisions to the model specifications.

This document grants in full the petition of Ford Motor Company, (Ford) in accordance with Sec. 543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard, for the Focus vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2006. 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Models PC-12 and PC-12/45 airplanes equipped with certain crew seat bucket assemblies with and without a backrest recline system. This proposed AD would require you to replace the backrest tubes on these crew seat bucket assemblies at a specified time and adds a life limit for these backrest tubes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Switzerland. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent cracks in the backrest tubes of certain crew seat bucket assemblies, which could result in failure of the seat system. This failure could lead to the pilot and co-pilot's reduced ability to control the airplane. This failure could also affect the proper function of the seat restrain system in the case of an emergency landing.

This notice requests public participation in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval process for the renewal of an existing PHMSA information collection. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below has been forwarded to OMB for extension of the currently approved collection. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden. PHMSA published a Federal Register Notice soliciting comments on the following information collection and received none. The purpose of this notice is to allow the public an additional 30 days from the date of this notice to submit comments.

This notice denies a petition from InterModal Technologies, Inc., for a temporary exemption from certain requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, Air brake systems. The denial is based on the petitioner's failure to persuade the agency that the safety device in question provides a safety level at least equal to that of the applicable Federal standard. Further, it failed to articulate how the exemption would make easier the development or field evaluation of the safety device for which the exemption is being sought. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a notice of receipt of the application on July 19, 2004, and afforded an opportunity for comment.\1\

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require doing repetitive rotating probe inspections for any crack of the rear spar internal angle and the left and right sides of the tee fitting, and doing related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would also require modifying the holes in the internal angle and tee fitting by cold expansion. This proposed AD results from full-scale fatigue tests, which revealed cracks in the lower rear spar internal angle, and tee fitting. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks of the rear spar internal angle and tee fitting, which could lead to the rupture of the internal angle, tee fitting, and rear spar, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the wings.

This notice announces a public meeting of the FAA's Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to discuss rotorcraft issues.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to authorize the release of a portion of the airport property. The City of Oconto WI is proposing to swap 13.9 acres of existing airport land for 13.9 acres of land from an adjacent landowner. The swap will allow the airport to acquire land in fee that lies under the approach to Runway 22. Both parcels are vacant land in the northeast corner of the airport and are deemed of equal value. The acreage being released is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. The acreage comprising this parcel was originally acquired under Grant No. AIP 3-55-SBGP-20-04 (Oconto AIP06). The City of Oconto (Wisconsin), as airport owner, has concluded that the subject airport land is not needed for expansion of airport facilities. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. No revenue will be derived as the parcels are of the same value. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the disposal of the airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) renewal of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notices with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on December 5, 2005, vol. 70, 232, page 72496. The data from this report will be used to assist the principal maintenance or avionics inspector in preparing the annual FAA surveillance requirements of the leading contract maintenance providers to the air operators.

As authorized by Public Law 105-383 and Public Law 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 2006-23743 at https:// dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

As authorized by Public Law 105-383 and Public Law 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket 2006-23745 at https://dms.dot.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.-flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for a proposed State Highway (SH) 99 (Grand Parkway Segments H and H-1) connecting US 59 (N) to IH 10 (E) in Montgomery, Harris, Liberty, and Chambers Counties, Texas.

This notice supplements the notice concerning FTA Fiscal Year 2006 Apportionments, Allocations and Program Information, dated as of December 20, 2005, as changed and corrected by the FTA Fiscal Year 2006 Apportionments and Allocations Changes and Corrections; Announcement of States Selected for Participation in Section 5310 Pilot Program, dated as of February 3, 2006.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Final Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared for the proposed Airport Development Program at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. FAA is seeking comments on new information disclosed in section 4.2 of the Final EIS.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Turmo IV A and IV C series turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires borescope and eddy current inspections or ultrasonic inspections of centrifugal compressor intake wheel blades for cracks and evidence of corrosion pitting, and replacement with serviceable parts. This proposed AD would require the same actions, but would require borescope inspections at more frequent intervals for certain engines. This proposed AD results from Turbomeca's review of the engines' service experience that determined more frequent borescope inspections are required on engines not modified to the TU 191, TU 197, or TU 224 standard. We are proposing this AD to prevent centrifugal compressor intake wheel blade cracks, which can result in engine in-flight power loss, engine shutdown, or forced landing.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness of the Maintenance Requirements Manual to include revised threshold and repeat inspection intervals for the cargo door skin cut- out. This proposed AD results from a report that a crack was discovered at the lower forward corner of a cargo door skin cut-out during fatigue testing. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the lower forward corner of the cargo door skin cut-out, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on November 23, 2005. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 19 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions will enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision standard.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 6 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.

This document denies the petition for rulemaking submitted by Mr. Bernard Cox, requesting that NHTSA amend the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for rearview mirrors to require manufacturers to install a mirror of unit magnification (a flat mirror) on the passenger's side of multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) or less when such vehicles are equipped with a tow hitch package. Accordingly, manufacturers of MPVs, trucks, and buses (other than school buses) with a GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 pounds) or less continue to have the option of installing either a flat mirror or a convex mirror on the passenger's side of the vehicle provided that either mirror meets the applicable requirements of the standard.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes; A320-111 airplanes; A320-200 series airplanes; and A321-100 and A321-200 series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the horizontal hinge pin of the 103VU electrical panel in the avionics compartment to determine if the hinge pin can move out of the hinge, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report indicating that electrical wire damage was found in the 103VU electrical panel due to contact between the hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness. We are issuing this AD to prevent contact between the horizontal hinge pin and the adjacent electrical wire harness, which could result in damage to electrical wires, and consequent arcing and/or failure of associated systems.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This AD requires an initial ultrasonic inspection for cracks of the studbolts of the inboard and outboard hinge fittings of the left and right outboard flaps of the wings. Based on the inspection results, this AD also requires doing repetitive ultrasonic inspections, replacing upper and/or lower studbolts with new or serviceable studbolts, doing a detailed inspection for corrosion of the upper studbolts, doing a magnetic particle inspection for cracks of studbolts, and changing the protection treatment; as applicable. This AD results from reports of corrosion and failures of the upper and lower studbolts of the outboard flaps inboard and outboard hinge fittings. We are issuing this AD to prevent corrosion and subsequent cracking of studbolts, which could result in failure of the flap hinge fittings and their possible separation from the wing rear spar, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.