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

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 and -535 series turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive fluorescent penetrant inspections (FPI) and borescope inspections of the high pressure (HP) compressor stage 1 and 2 rotor discs for cracks. This proposed AD results from reports of low-cycle-fatigue cracks found at overhaul in the interface weld between the HP compressor stage 1 and 2 rotor disc. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lycoming Engines (L)O-360, (L)IO-360, AEIO-360, O-540, IO-540, AEIO-540, (L)TIO-540, IO-580, and IO-720 series reciprocating engines. This AD requires replacing certain crankshafts. This AD results from reports of 23 confirmed failures of similar crankshafts in Lycoming Engines 360 and 540 series reciprocating engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the crankshaft, which will result in total engine power loss, in-flight engine failure, and possible loss of the aircraft.

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes. These airplanes, modified by TIMCO Aviation Services, Inc. (TIMCO), will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with a forward lower lobe crew rest module (CRM). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which revises Class E airspace at Lake Ozark, MO.

This action modifies Class E airspace at Chamberlain, SD. Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed for Chamberlain Municipal Airport, Chamberlain, SD. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth is needed to contain aircraft executing these approaches. This action increases the area of the existing controlled airspace for Chamberlain, SD.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-10E series turbofan engines. This AD requires removing the main fuel pump (MFP) inlet strainer from certain MFPs, installing a certain replacement flange as an interim repair, and performing initial and repetitive visual inspections of the main fuel filter. This AD results from three reports of release of the tripod support legs on the MFP inlet strainer, leading to engine in-flight shutdown. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine in-flight shutdown due to MFP malfunctions.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. The existing AD requires repetitive inspections of the pitot static heating relay K0057 and corrective actions if necessary. The existing AD also requires doing a terminating modification, which ends the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would remove the existing repetitive inspections and instead would require a one-time detailed inspection for damage of the relay, relay socket, and silicone gasket; applicable corrective actions; and a new action to modify and re- identify the relay socket. This proposed AD would also revise the existing terminating modificationreplacing/rerouting the windowsill drain hosesinto two parts, each with a different, reduced compliance time. This proposed AD results from a report of smoke in the cockpit. We are proposing this AD to prevent ignition of a windowsill drain hose by an overheated relay, which could cause fire and smoke in the cockpit.

The FAA is proposing a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) applicable to the Mitsubishi MU-2B series airplane that would create new pilot training, experience, and operating requirements. Following an increased accident and incident rate in the MU-2B series airplane, the FAA conducted a safety evaluation of the MU-2B series airplane and found that changes in the training and operating requirements for that airplane are needed. These proposed regulations would mandate additional operating requirements and improve pilot training for the MU-2B series airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls-Royce Corporation (RRC) models 250-C30, 250-40, and 250-C47 series turboshaft engines with a third-stage turbine wheel, part number (P/N) 6898663 or P/N 23065843 installed, or a fourth-stage turbine wheel, P/N 6892764 or P/N 23066744, installed. This AD adds an additional life limit for third- and fourth-stage turbine wheels. This AD results from analysis by RRC of failures of third-stage turbine wheels. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of power, possible engine shutdown, or uncontained engine failure.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310 airplanes. This AD requires revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual by incorporating restrictions for high altitude operations. This AD results from several incidents of pitch oscillations with high vertical loads that occurred during turbulence at high altitudes. We are issuing this AD to prevent pitch oscillations during turbulence, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes, and Model DHC-8-200 and DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This AD requires performing a one-time general visual inspection for non-conforming chain links of chain assemblies of the elevator trim system and gust lock system, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires temporary revisions to the airplane flight manuals of the affected airplanes, which describe procedures for elevator trim checks. This AD results from reports of several failures of the elevator trim chain, due to hydrogen embrittlement. We are issuing this AD to prevent breakage of the elevator trim chain, which would prevent the actual position of the elevator trim tab from being annunciated to the flightcrew. Attempting to adjust the trim tab from the full nose up or full nose down position with a broken trim chain could result in misleading information relative to takeoff trim settings and consequent loss of control on takeoff.

Sabine Pass Liquefied Natural Gas (SPLNG) facility requests a waiver of compliance from the regulation that requires every Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility constructed after March 31, 2000 to comply with the National Fire Protection Association's standard 59A (NFPA 59A), 2001 Edition.

Pursuant to FAA's rulemaking provisions governing the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for exemption part 11 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), this notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces it has terminated its review of the noise compatibility program, at the request of the city of Fresno, owner and operator of Fresno Yosemite International Airport, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et. seq. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EADS SOCATA Model TBM 700 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect the pilot door locking stop-fittings for correct length and, if any incorrect length pilot door locking stop-fittings are found, replace them. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. We are proposing this AD to detect and replace incorrect length pilot door locking stop-fittings. This condition, if not corrected, could result in depressurization of the airplane.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and U.S. Coast Guard announce the availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the Main Pass Energy Hub (MPEH) Deepwater Port Amended License Application. We are also announcing the dates and locations of public hearings for input regarding the approval or denial of the license application. The application and the amendment describe a project that would be located in the Gulf of Mexico in Main Pass Lease Block 299 (MP 299), approximately 16 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. Draft and final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) evaluating the original application were published on June 17, 2005 and March 14, 2006, respectively. The Main Pass Energy Hub Deepwater Port License Application originally proposed the use of ``open-loop'' open rack vaporization (ORV). In the amended application, the applicant is proposing a ``closed-loop'' system using submerged combustion vaporization with selective catalytic reduction (SCV/SCR). Though similar, a more generic SCV/SCR system was analyzed in detail in the Final EIS (FEIS) as an alternative. The amended application provides expanded and refined design information regarding the proposed changes. The EA was prepared to provide analysis of the actual SCV/SCR design now being proposed and to determine if there were any significant impacts resulting from this change in proposed regassification technology in addition to or different from those previously assessed in the FEIS. The original application and environmental analysis contained in the FEIS still apply, including facilities, offshore and onshore pipelines, and salt cavern gas storage. Previous comments on the FEIS and application will continue to be considered in this process and need not be repeated. Based upon the EA, we have determined that the project changes as proposed in this amended application will not have a significant impact on the environment and we are therefore issuing a Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for public review and comment.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice of the ``Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2002,'' the No FEAR Act, to former and current STB employees and to applicants for STB employment.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended), this notice announces the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) intention to request renewal of a previously approved information collection.