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

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 Surface Transportation Board proposes to adopt 1.019 (1.9%) as the measure of average change in railroad productivity for the 2000-2004 (5-year) averaging period. This value is a decline of 1 percentage point from the current measure of 2.9% that was developed for the 1999-2003 period.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain RECARO Model 3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 791, 792, and 795 series seats. This proposed AD would require replacing the existing attachment bolts for the seat belts with longer attachment bolts. This proposed AD results from a report of short attachment bolts that don't allow enough thread to properly secure the locknuts. We are proposing this AD to prevent a seat belt from detaching due to a loose locknut and attachment bolt, which could result in injury to an occupant during emergency conditions.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 767 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive measurements of the rudder and elevator freeplay, repetitive lubrication of rudder and elevator components, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of freeplay-induced vibration of the rudder and the elevator. The potential for vibration of the control surface should be avoided because the point of transition from vibration to divergent flutter is unknown. We are proposing this AD to prevent excessive vibration of the airframe during flight, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing all domed anchor nuts at all attachment locations of the upper fuel access panels of the center wing in the wet bay location with new nuts. This proposed AD results from reported cases of corroded dome anchor nuts at the attachment locations of the upper surface of the fuel access panel of the center wing. We are proposing this AD to prevent corrosion or perforation of domed anchor nuts, which could result in arcing and ignition of fuel vapor in the center wing fuel tank during a lightning strike and consequent explosion of the fuel tank.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, and - 400F series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to require the flightcrew to maintain certain minimum fuel levels in the center fuel tanks, and to prohibit the use of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank. This proposed AD would require installing new integrated display software in the integrated display units and electronic flight instrument system/engine indication and crew alerting system interface units (EIUs) of the flight deck. This proposed AD also would require revising the AFM to include procedures to prevent dry operation of the center wing and horizontal stabilizer fuel tanks; for maintaining minimum fuel levels; and for de- fueling fuel tanks. For certain airplanes, the proposed AD also requires removing G13 pin ground wires of a certain wire integration unit of the EIUs at certain connector locations. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to reduce the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD's) intention to request extension of approval for three years of a currently approved information collection.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD requires modifying the passenger door and installing new placards. This AD results from reports of the airstairs-type passenger door opening during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent rapid decompression of the airplane, or ejection of a passenger or crew member out the door during flight.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for proposed transportation improvements in San Juan County, Utah.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Short Brothers Model SD3-60 and SD3-SHERPA airplanes. That AD currently requires an inspection of the fork end of the rear pintle pin on each main landing gear (MLG) to verify that sealant is properly applied and is undamaged, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires an additional inspection for correctly applied sealant on the MLG rear pintle pin assemblies, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD also expands the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results from a new report of a cracked pintle pin fork end. We are issuing this AD to prevent stress-corrosion cracking and subsequent failure of the MLG.

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), PHMSA is publishing the following list of special permit applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 92- 07-05, which applies to certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (Raytheon) 65, 90, 99, and 100 series airplanes. AD 92-07-05 currently requires you to inspect the rudder trim tab for proper moisture drainage provisions, and if the correct drainage provisions do not exist, prior to further flight, modify the rudder trim tab. Since we issued AD 92- 07-05, FAA has received and evaluated new service information that requires the actions of AD 92-07-05 for the added serial numbers LJ-1281 through LJ- 1732 for the Model C90A airplanes. Consequently, this proposed AD retains all the actions of AD 92-07-05 and adds serial numbers LJ-1281 through LJ-1732 for the Model C90A airplanes in the applicability section. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent water accumulation in the rudder trim tab, which could result in a change in the mass properties and thus result in the lower flutter speed of the airplane. Airplane flutter could result in failure and loss of control of the airplane.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 airplanes, and EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, - 145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the pilot's and co-pilot's seat tracks for proper locking of the seats, and adjusting or replacing the seat tracks if necessary. This AD also requires replacement of the seat locking pin on certain SICMA-brand seats. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent uncommanded movement of the pilot's or co-pilot's seat, which could interfere with the operation of the airplane and consequent temporary loss of airplane control. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain transport category airplanes, identified above. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks of the doorjamb corners of the main cabin cargo door, and repair if necessary. This AD also provides an optional preventive modification that extends certain repetitive intervals. This AD results from reports of cracks in the fuselage skin at the corners of the doorjamb for the main cabin cargo door. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks in the fuselage skin, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on the Draft EA for the Oklahoma Spaceport. On October 23, 2002, the FAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority's (OSIDA) proposal to operate a commercial launch facility at the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark (CSIA) located in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. After substantial changes to the proposed action, the FAA reconsidered the scope of the analysis required to support the proposed action and alternatives and determined that an EA would more appropriately address the environmental consequences of the proposed action and alternatives. On October 7, 2005, the FAA issued a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the proposed action would be addressed in an EA. Under the proposed action, the FAA would issue a launch site operator license to OSIDA to operate a launch facility at the CSIA and approve the land transfer of the CSIA from the city of Clinton to OSIDA. The EA evaluates potential impacts to the environment from launches and landings of three types of suborbital horizontally launched reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) \1\ from the CSIA. The FAA may use the analysis in the EA as the basis for making a determination to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or a Finding of No Significant Impact regarding the issuance of a launch site operator license as well as the licensing or permitting of the launch of certain types of launch vehicles, and the transfer of ownership of the CSIA from the City of Clinton to OSIDA.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General MachineDiecron, Inc. (GMD) actuator nut assembly, part number (P/N) GMD115-810029-17 and P/N GMD115-810029-23, that are installed on certain airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to determine by maintenance records check and/or inspection whether any actuator nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-17 or P/N GMD115-810029-23, is installed on the right main landing gear (MLG) actuator, and, if installed, would require you to replace it with a new actuator nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-23B or FAA-approved equivalent P/N. This proposed AD results from several reports of failures of the actuator nut assembly, P/N GMD115-810029-17 and P/N GMD115-810029-23. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent failure of the actuator nut assembly for the right MLG actuator, which could result in failure of the MLG. This failure could prevent the extension or retraction of the MLG.

This notice revises program apportionment or allocation amounts published in the December 20, 2005, FTA notice entitled ``FTA Fiscal Year 2006 Apportionments and Allocations.'' The revisions are required because Public Law 109-148, the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006, mandates an across-the- board rescission of one percent of every program, project, and activity in fiscal year 2006. In addition, this notice identifies other changes or corrections to the December 20, 2005, notice. The notice also identifies the States selected for participation in a Section 5310 Pilot Program.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the England Economic and Industrial Development District for Alexandria International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et. seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of BTS collecting reports from air carriers on the aggregated indebtedness balance of a political candidate or party for Federal office. The reports are required when the aggregated indebtedness is over $5,000 on the last day of a month.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics invites the general public, industry and other governmental parties to comment on the continuing need for and usefulness of BTS requiring certificated air carriers to preserve accounting records, consumer complaint letters, reservation reports and records, system reports of aircraft movements, etc. Also, public charter operators and overseas military personnel charter operators are required to retain certain contracts, invoices, receipts, bank records and reservation records.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announces a grant program to improve State traffic safety information systems under Section 2006 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA-LU). This Notice informs the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, through their Governors' Representatives for Highway Safety, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (on behalf of the Indian tribes), of the application procedures to receive grants to be made available in fiscal years 2006 through 2009.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, - 145MP, and -145EP airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying the routing of wire harness W407 near the fire extinguishing tube in the area of each engine, and installing new supports for related wiring. This proposed AD results from reports of chafing of wire harness W407 against the supports and nacelle structure in the engine area. We are proposing this AD to prevent such chafing, which could result in an engine shutting down during flight.