Department of Transportation June 13, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under 49 U.S.C. 10502, the Board is granting a petition for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323, et seq., for BNSF Railway Company, a Class I carrier, to acquire and operate approximately 25 miles of rail line of Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP), a Class I carrier, extending from UP milepost 81.1 at Union, CO, to UP milepost 56.1 at Sterling, CO.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800 and -900 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the aero/fire seals of the blocker doors on the thrust reverser torque boxes on the engines with new, improved aero/fire seals. This proposed AD results from a report that the top three inches of the aero/fire seals of the blocker doors on the thrust reverser torque boxes are not fireproof. We are proposing this AD to prevent a fire in the fan compartment (a fire zone) from migrating through the seal to a flammable fluid in the thrust reverser actuator compartment (a flammable leakage zone), which could result in an uncontrolled fire.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is giving notice that a portion of the airport property containing 16.6 acres located across the Waupaca River from the airport and is not needed for aeronautical use as currently identified on the Airport Layout Plan. This parcel was originally purchased as part of a larger City purchase in December 1944. The parcel is presently open and undeveloped. The land comprising this parcel is, therefore, no longer needed for aeronautical purposes. Income from the sale will be used to improve the airport. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. 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 proposes to amend the regulations governing objects that may affect the navigable airspace. Specifically, the FAA is proposing to add notification requirements and obstruction standards for electromagnetic interference and amend the obstruction standards for civil airport imaginary surfaces to more closely align these standards with FAA airport design and instrument approach procedure criteria. The FAA proposes to require proponents to file with the agency a notice of proposed construction or alteration of structures near private use airports that have an FAA approved instrument approach procedure. This proposal, if adopted, would also increase the number of days in which a notice must be filed with the FAA before beginning construction or alteration; add and amend definitions for terms commonly used during the aeronautical evaluation process; and remove the provisions for public hearings and antenna farms. Lastly, the FAA proposes to retitle the rule and reformat it into sections that closely reflect the aeronautical study process. These proposals incorporate case law and legislative action, and simplify the rule language. The intended effect of these proposed changes is to improve safety and promote the efficient use of the National Airspace System.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This AD requires certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, -106, -201, -202, -301, -311, -314, and -315 airplanes. This AD results from a report that, during structural testing of the cockpit door, the lower hinge block rotated and caused the mating hinge pin to disengage, and caused excessive door deflection. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a door attachment, which could result in uncontrolled release of the cockpit door under certain fuselage decompression conditions, and possible damage to the airplane structure.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Hamilton Sundstrand model 14RF-19 propellers. This AD requires replacing certain actuator yokes with improved actuator yokes. This AD results from certain propeller system actuator yoke arms breaking during flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent actuator yoke arms breaking during flight, which could cause high propeller vibration and contribute to reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 and A300-600 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in Gear Rib 5 of the main landing gear (MLG) attachment fittings at the lower flange, and repair, if necessary. That AD also requires modification of Gear Rib 5 of the MLG attachment fittings, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires new repetitive inspections at reduced compliance times. This new AD also requires new repetitive inspections of certain areas of the attachment fittings that were repaired in accordance with the actions specified in the existing AD. This AD results from new service information that was issued by the manufacturer and mandated by the French airworthiness authority. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the MLG attachment fittings, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.