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

This document makes a correction to Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2006-10-07. That AD applies to Hamilton Sundstrand Model 14RF-9 propellers. We published AD 2006-10-07 in the Federal Register on May 12, 2006 (71 FR 27600). An incorrect phrase was used in the compliance section, which impacts the intent of the compliance. This document corrects that phrase. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330, A340-200, and A340-300 airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the attachment landing assemblies of certain blow-down panels of the wing leading edges with new, improved landing assemblies. This proposed AD results from several reports of full or partial loss of certain blow-down panels of the wing leading edges during flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent damage to the airplane and hazards to persons or property on the ground.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes); and A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required a one-time inspection of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA), corrective actions if necessary, and follow-on repetitive tasks. The original NPRM resulted from reports of THSAs that have reached their design operational life. This operational life can be extended provided an initial inspection and follow-on repetitive tasks are accomplished. This action revises the original NPRM by revising the initial compliance time. It also allows the component maintenance manual as an alternative repair method. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to extend the operational life of the THSA to prevent a possible failure of high-time THSAs, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt Mr. Thomas Deke from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemption will enable Mr. Deke to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Federal Highway Administration has submitted the following request for emergency processing of a public information collection 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 Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to OMB for review, comment and approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and the expected burden. Comments: Comments should be directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for the Federal Highway Administration. Type of Request: New.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for proposed transportation improvements in Davis County, Utah.

These special conditions are issued to Innovative Solutions & Support (IS&S), 720 Pennsylvania Drive, Exton, PA 19341-1129, for a Supplemental Type Certificate for the Pilatus PC-12, PC-12/45, and PC- 12/47 airplanes. These airplanes will have novel and unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisaged in the applicable airworthiness standards. These novel and unusual design features include the installation of two 12'' x 9'' Integrated Flat Panel Display (IFPD) Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS), manufactured by IS&S, and components associated with this display system. The applicable regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate airworthiness standards for the protection of these systems from the effects of high intensity radiated fields (HIRF). These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to the airworthiness standards applicable to these airplanes.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the City of Vero Beach, Florida under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On October 28, 2003, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Vero Beach, Florida under part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On April 28, 2006, the FAA approved the Vero Beach Municipal Airport noise compatibility program. Most of the recommendations of the program were approved.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing brackets that hold the P5 panel to the airplane structure, the standby compass bracket assembly, the generator drive and standby power module, and the air conditioning module. This AD also requires, among other actions, inspecting for wire length and for damage of the connectors and the wire bundles, and doing applicable corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from an electrical burning smell in the flight compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent wire bundles from contacting the overhead dripshield panel and modules in the P5 overhead panel, which could result in electrical arcing and shorting of the electrical connector and consequent loss of several critical systems essential for safe flight.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 airplanes and Model A310 airplanes and for certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the wing and center fuel tanks to determine if certain P-clips are installed and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD also would require an inspection of electrical bonding points of certain equipment in the center fuel tank for the presence of a blue coat and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD also would require installation of new bonding leads and electrical bonding points on certain equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks, as necessary. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to ensure continuous electrical bonding protection of equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks and to prevent damage to wiring in the wing and center fuel tanks, due to failed P- clips used for retaining the wiring and pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source in the fuel tanks.

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A300 B2, A300 B4, and A300-600 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have superseded two existing ADs. One AD currently requires an inspection for cracks of the lower outboard flange of gantry No. 4 in the main landing gear (MLG) bay area, and repair if necessary. The other AD currently requires, among other actions, repetitive inspections of the gantry lower flanges, and repair if necessary. The original NPRM proposed to require new repetitive inspections for cracks in the lower flange of certain gantries, and repair if necessary, which ends the existing inspection requirements. The original NPRM also provided for optional terminating actions for the new repetitive inspections. This new action revises the original NPRM by including additional airplanes that were excluded from the applicability. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct fatigue cracks in the lower flanges of gantries 1 through 5 inclusive in the MLG bay area, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the fuselage, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would require fabrication and installation of a wire harness guard in the right wheel well of the main landing gear (MLG), and related investigative and corrective actions as necessary. For certain airplanes, the proposed AD also would require replacement of the electrical connectors of the auxiliary hydraulic pumps with improved electrical connectors and related investigative and corrective actions. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent damage to the wire support bracket and wiring of the auxiliary hydraulic pump and, for certain airplanes, water intrusion through the electrical connectors of the auxiliary hydraulic pump. These conditions could lead to a potential ignition source in the right wheel well of the MLG around the fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number of the upper and lower stop pad support fittings of all the lower cargo doors, repetitive inspections of all early configuration stop pad support fittings, and corrective action if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report of cracks found in the area of the upper and lower stop pad support fittings of the cargo door pan on numerous airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the cargo door pan, which could result in the inability to fully pressurize an airplane, possible pressure loss, or possible rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding two existing airworthiness directives (ADs); one AD is applicable to all Boeing Model 747 airplanes and the other AD is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The first AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the horizontal stabilizer center section and the rear spar upper chord, and repair if necessary. The other AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and the rear spar structure, hinge fittings, terminal fittings, and splice plates; and repair if necessary. This new AD adds, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections for cracking of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and repair if necessary. For certain other airplanes, this new AD adds a detailed inspection to determine the type of fasteners, related investigative actions, and repair if necessary. This new AD also revises the compliance times for certain inspections and adds alternative inspections for cracking of the upper skin of the center section and rear spar upper chord. This AD results from reports of cracking in the outboard and center section of the aft upper skin of the horizontal stabilizer, the rear spar chord, rear spar web, terminal fittings, and splice plates; and a report of fractured and cracked steel fasteners. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct this cracking, which could lead to reduced structural capability of the outboard and center sections of the horizontal stabilizer and could result in loss of control of the airplane.

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 2006-24794 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.

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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S sailplanes. This proposed AD would require you to modify the elevator control at the stabilizer assembly, replace a placard on the fin, and incorporate changes in the FAA- approved sailplane flight manual. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are proposing this AD to prevent the rigging of the horizontal stabilizer without properly connecting the elevator, which, if not prevented, could lead to an inoperative elevator.

This document amends NHTSA's regulation on civil penalties by increasing the maximum civil penalties for violations of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended (Vehicle Safety Act). This action is taken pursuant to the Federal Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, which requires NHTSA to review and, as warranted, adjust penalties based on inflation at least every four years. In addition, this document codifies amendments to the penalty provisions of the Vehicle Safety Act by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity ActA Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and makes a technical correction to the text of the agency's penalty regulation.

This final rule updates information in the FAA's regulations on certain civil monetary penalties authorized for violations of statutes and regulations we enforce in accordance with legislation enacted since the last update. The rule also includes references to additional and revised statutes and regulations. In addition, the rule makes inflation-based adjustments to civil penalties where indicated. Finally, it makes a technical correction to conform regulatory language on the inflation adjustment process to the provisions of the applicable statute.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A310-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the flap transmission shafts, and replacing the transmission shafts if necessary. This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD results from reports of longitudinal cracks due to stress corrosion in the transmission shafts between the power control unit (PCU) and the torque limiters of the flap transmission system. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the flap transmission shaft, which could compromise shaft structural integrity and lead to a disabled flap transmission shaft and reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD requires an inspection for signs of arcing or heat damage of the electrical connections of the terminal blocks, ground studs, and the end of the wires and surrounding insulation for the windshield and side window anti-ice systems; and repairing any arced or damaged electrical connection. This AD also requires re-torquing electrical connections of the terminal blocks and ground studs for the windshield and side window anti-ice systems. This AD results from an in-service incident involving smoke and odor in the cockpit. We are issuing this AD to prevent loose electrical connections that could arc and overheat, and cause wiring damage of the windshield and side window anti-ice systems. Such wiring damage could result in smoke and/or fire in the flight compartment.

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.