Department of Transportation 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model 600N helicopters, that currently requires inspecting both upper tailboom attachment fittings, nut plates and both angles for a crack or thread damage, and repairing or replacing any cracked or damaged part. That AD also requires replacing the upper right tailboom attachment bolt with a new attachment bolt, and if the upper right attachment bolt is broken, replacing the three remaining attachment bolts with airworthy bolts. Adding a washer to each bolt and modifying both access covers is also required. Thereafter, inspecting the upper tailboom attachments and repairing or replacing any cracked part is required by that AD. That AD was prompted by the discovery of a cracked attachment bolt on a helicopter. This AD requires those same actions, plus installing additional inspection holes in the aft fuselage skin panels and inspecting the upper and lower tailboom attachment fittings, the upper longerons, and the angles and nut plates for cracks. It also requires, within a specified time, replacing the upper right tailboom attachment fitting, painting the inspection area, and replacing existing nut plates. Additionally, it requires inspecting the attachment bolts for any damage or wear. This amendment is prompted by an accident involving a Model 600N helicopter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the tailboom attachment fittings, separation of the tailboom from the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This document confirms the effective date of the direct final rule which establishes a Class E enroute domestic airspace area, Vandenberg AFB, CA, to replace existing Class G uncontrolled airspace.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 207, Airport Security Access Control Systems.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD requires modifying the wiring on an alternating current (AC) service bus contactor that is located in the avionics bay. This AD results from incidents of short circuit failures of certain AC contactors located in the avionics bay. We are issuing this AD to prevent short circuit failures of certain AC contactors, which could result in arcing and consequent smoke or fire.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 757-200 and -200PF series airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections to detect and correct any gap between the strut fitting and the forward engine mount assembly and applicable related investigative actions, corrective actions, and other specified actions. This AD results from a report indicating that gaps had been found between the strut fitting and the forward engine mount assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any gaps between the strut fitting and the forward engine mount assembly of both engines, which could result in separation of the engine from the wing and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FHWA proposes to revise its regulation that prescribes procedures for obtaining basic uniformity of traffic control devices on Federal-aid and other streets and highways. This notice of proposed rulemaking makes some nomenclature changes, provides clarification on the meaning of ``substantial conformance'' and ``roads open to public travel,'' and removes certain outdated references.

This document announces a decision by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that certain 2003 Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant passenger cars that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S. certified version of the 2003 Audi RS6 and RS6 Avant passenger cars), and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at the Searcy County Municipal Airport under the provisions of Title 49 United States Code, Section 47153.

The FAA proposes to revise an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Mitsubishi Heavy Industries MU-2B series airplanes. The earlier NPRM would have required you to do the following: Remove and visually inspect the wing attach barrel nuts, bolts, and retainers for cracks, corrosion, and fractures; replace any cracked, corroded, or fractured parts; inspect reusable wing attach barrel nuts and bolts for deformation and irregularities in the threads; replace any deformed or irregular parts; and install new or reusable parts and torque to the correct value. The earlier NPRM resulted from a recent safety evaluation that used a data-driven approach to evaluate the design, operation, and maintenance of the MU- 2B series airplanes in order to determine their safety and define what steps, if any, are necessary for their safe operation. This proposed AD would retain the actions from the earlier NPRM, add airplanes to the applicability, revise the serial numbers of the affected airplanes, and update the manufacturer's contact information. This proposed AD results from the manufacturer revising the service information to include two additional airplane models. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these additional actions.

The FHWA proposes to require the use of high-visibility safety apparel for workers who are working within the Federal-aid highway rights-of-way. This action would decrease the likelihood of fatalities or injuries to workers on foot who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction vehicles or equipment while working within the rights-of-ways of Federal-aid highways. This proposal is in response to section 1402 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59, 119 Stat. 1227.

This final rule will revise the Class E airspace area at Herlong, CA. Additional controlled airspace is necessary for the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft during airborne holding. Holding airspace is designed with specific altitudes and lateral boundaries within controlled airspace. This airborne holding procedure is also an integral part of a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at the Amedee Army Air Field (AFF), Herlong, CA.

This action revises Class E airspace at Middleton Island, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing two new and two amended Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). This rule results in revised Class E airspace established upward from 700 feet (ft.) and 1,200 ft. above the surface at Middleton Island, AK.

This action revises Class E airspace at Togiak Village, AK to provide adequate controlled airspace to contain aircraft executing two new and two amended Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). This rule results in revised Class E airspace established upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at Togiak Village, AK.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of proposed Interim Guidelines for Certification and Continued Airworthiness of Unbalanced Control Surfaces with Freeplay and Other Nonlinear Features.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model ERJ 170 airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting for excess sealant applied to the attachment bolts of the negative pressure relief valve, and performing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports that excess sealant was applied to the attachment bolts of the negative pressure relief valve, which interfered with the valve's movable diaphragm. We are proposing this AD to prevent incorrect operation of the negative pressure relief valve, which could result in negative pressures that exceed the structural strength limits of the airframe and lead to reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-21- 08, which applies to certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-6 airplanes. AD 2002-21-08 currently requires you to inspect the aileron assembly for correct configuration and modify as necessary. Since we issued AD 2002-21-08, the FAA determined the action should also apply to all the models of the PC-6 airplanes listed in the type certification data sheet of Type Certificate (TC) No. 7A15 that are produced in the United States through a licensing agreement between Pilatus and Fairchild Republic Company (also identified as Fairchild Industries, Fairchild Heli Porter, or Fairchild-Hiller Corporation). In addition, the intent of the applicability of AD 2002-21-08 was to apply to all the affected serial numbers of the airplane models listed in TC No. 7A15. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain all the actions of AD 2002-21-08, would add those Fairchild Republic Company airplanes to the applicability of this proposed AD, and would list out the individual specific airplane models. We are proposing this AD to correct improper aileron assembly configuration, which could result in failure of the aileron mass balance weight. Such failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared for the proposed 3,400-foot (1.0 km) extension of North Hillside Road from its current terminus northward to U.S. Route 44 in Tolland County, Connecticut.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive detailed and ultrasonic inspections of the thrust links of the rear engine mounts for any crack or fracture and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive replacement of the thrust links with new or overhauled thrust links, which ends the repetitive detailed and ultrasonic inspections. This AD results from the finding of fractured and cracked forward lugs of the rear engine mount thrust link on the number one strut on two airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracked or fractured thrust links that could lead to the loss of the load path for the rear engine mount bulkhead and damage to other primary engine mount structure, which could result in the in-flight separation of the engine from the airplane and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) PW535A turboshaft engines with serial numbers (SNs) lower than DC0241, and with hydromechanical fuel control (HFC) part number (P/N) 819735-4, 819735-5, or 819735-6 installed. This AD requires inspection and verification of the proper adjustment of the ratio unit setscrew adjustment of installed HFC units. This AD results from incidents of PW535A turboshaft engines experiencing lack of response to the power lever input during attempted engine acceleration, due to an incorrect adjustment of the HFC ratio unit setscrew. We are issuing this AD to prevent lack of engine response to power lever input, which could cause a single or dual engine in-flight shutdown event.

This notice announces the availability of and requests comments on a proposed advisory circular (AC) which sets forth an acceptable means, but not the only means, of demonstrating compliance with the provisions of the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes related to damage tolerance inspections for repairs. This proposed AC complements revisions to the airworthiness standards that are being proposed by a separate notice. This notice is necessary to give all interested persons an opportunity to present their views on the proposed AC.

In order to communicate safety information to the commercial aviation community more effectively, the FAA Flight Standards Service has issued FAA Order 8000.87, Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO). The public and operators can access this order at this Web site: https:// www.faa.gov/othervisit/aviationindustry/airlineoperators/ airlinesafety/safo.

This action proposes to establish Control 1485L and revise Control 1485H offshore airspace in the vicinity of Barrow, AK. These proposed actions would establish controlled airspace outside of 12 nautical miles (NM) of the U.S. shoreline upward from 1,200 feet mean sea level (MSL) along the North Slope of Alaska. Additionally, this proposal would revise the altitudes of Control 1485H from FL 230/FL 450 to FL 180/FL 600. The FAA is proposing these actions to provide additional controlled airspace for aircraft executing instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airfields along the North Slope of Alaska in anticipation of establishing Terminal Arrival Areas associated with Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Arrival Procedures (SIAPs).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD). This proposed AD is for Pratt & Whitney (PW) PW4077D, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines that were reassembled with certain previously used high pressure compressor (HPC) exit brush seal assembly parts and certain new or refurbished HPC exit diffuser air seal inner lands. This proposed AD would require replacing the HPC exit inner and outer brush seal packs with new brush seal packs, or replacing the HPC exit brush seal assembly with a new HPC exit brush seal assembly. This proposed AD results from a report of oil leaking into the high pressure turbine (HPT) interstage cavity and igniting, leading to an uncontained failure of the 2nd stage turbine air seal and engine in-flight shutdown. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure, damage to the airplane, and injury to passengers.