Department of Transportation December 12, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document makes a correction to airworthiness directive (AD) 2004-26-05 applicable to certain Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 series turbofan engines that was published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2005. The part number UL29916 in the Applicability section is incorrect. This document corrects that part number. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

These special conditions are issued to AmSafe, Inc. for the installation of an AmSafe, Inc., Inflatable Three-Point Restraint Safety Belt with an Integrated Airbag Device on Pilatus models PC-12, PC-12/45 and PC-12/47. These airplanes, as modified by AmSafe, Inc. for the installation of this inflatable safety belt, will have novel and unusual design features associated with the lap-belt restraint portions of the three-point safety belt, which contains an integrated airbag device. 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.

FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that it will jointly prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) with the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ TRANSIT) and in cooperation with the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK), to study improvements to enhance the capacity and improve the operation of the Portal Bridge, a two-track moveable swing-span bridge crossing over the Hackensack River along AMTRAK's Northeast Corridor rail line. AMTRAK and NJ TRANSIT are proposing to enhance the capacity and improve the operation of the Portal Bridge. FRA is issuing this notice to solicit public and agency input into the development of the scope of the EIS and to advise the public that outreach activities conducted by NJ TRANSIT and its representatives will be considered in the preparation of the EIS. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is a cooperating agency for the environmental review. FTA will contribute information for which it has special expertise and ensure the EIS is prepared in compliance with its environmental regulations. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) of 1969 and the applicable regulations implementing NEPA as set forth in 64 FR 28545 (May 26, 1999) and 23 CFR part 771. The EIS will also address as necessary Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C. 303) (DOT Act) and other applicable Federal, and State laws and regulations. The EIS will evaluate a ``No Action Alternative'' along with various build alternatives which could retain, replace, or modify the existing Portal Bridge. Alternatives proposing to retain the existing bridge would include the rehabilitation of the existing structure to a state of good repair, along with the construction of an additional bridge for added capacity. The new bridge could be either a moveable or a fixed bridge and its height above mean high water (MHW) would vary accordingly. The new structure may consist of a two- or three-track bridge. Alternatives proposing to replace the existing bridge would require the construction of two new bridges of varying heights, types, and number of tracks. The two new bridges could be built on new parallel alignments, or one new bridge could be built on the existing bridge alignment by use of a staged approach. Each of these new bridges would have two or three new tracks. Alternatives proposing to modify the existing bridge would entail rehabilitation and raising of the existing bridge to a new height. The existing bridge may be fixed in place or may remain moveable, depending on the proposed height above MHW. A new bridge could also be constructed on a different alignment.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Lockheed Model L-1011 series airplanes. This AD requires a one- time detailed inspection of the C112 harness clamp assembly for proper installation, a one-time detailed inspection of the C112 and C162 harness assemblies for damage, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of electrical arcing of the essential bus feeder cables behind hinged circuit breaker panel CB3 P-K. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing of essential bus feeder cables due to improper installation of the harness C112 clamp assembly, which could result in loss of electrical systems and smoke and/or fire behind the CB3 P-K hinged circuit breaker panel in the flight compartment.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11F airplanes. This AD requires a general visual inspection for installation of conduit and chafing damage on the auxiliary power unit (APU) power feeder wires and the upper surface of the auxiliary fuel tank and repair if necessary. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct unprotected APU power feeder wires that come into close proximity to the upper surface of the auxiliary ``piggy back'' fuel tank, which could result in a potential ignition source, and in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could cause a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on August 8, 2006, vol. 71, no. 152, pages 45092-45093. The Administrator has determined based on evaluation of previous accidents and other incidents that certain events involving malfunctions and defects may be precursors to the recurrence of these accidents. As a result, operators and repair stations are required to report any malfunctions and defects to the Administrator.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it has decided to discontinue preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for master plan improvements to Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California. The FAA's decision to discontinue preparation of the EIS is based upon the decision by Los Angeles World Airports, the owner of the airport, to discontinue pursuit of the master plan for Ontario International Airport at this time.