Department of Transportation 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 14 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the vision standard prescribed in 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published in the Federal Register of April 6, 2006, a final rule establishing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for light trucks manufactured in model years 2008 through 2011. Inadvertently, the document had the wrong docket number; footprint and target fuel economy values provided in example calculations did not have the correct number of decimal places; the definition of ``footprint'' in the regulatory text was incorrect; and Figure 1 of the regulatory text incorrectly referenced ``model,'' as opposed to ``model type.'' Additionally, there was a typographical error in the regulatory text regarding the flat floor provision. This document makes the appropriate corrections.

Notice is hereby given of a meeting of the National Grain Car Council (NGCC), pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law No. 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C., App. 2).

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-145XR airplanes. This proposed AD would require modification of the flap system interface wiring. This proposed AD results from a finding that the aural and visual warnings, which should be activated when the flaps are set to 22 degrees during takeoff, were not enabled during the manufacture of certain Model EMB- 145XR airplanes. We are proposing this AD to prevent overrunning the runway during takeoff.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-145XR airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacement of certain segments of the passenger seat tracks with new, improved seat tracks. This proposed AD results from instances where the shear plungers of the passenger seat legs were not adequately fastened. We are proposing this AD to prevent inadequate fastening of the seat leg shear plungers, which could result in failure of the passenger seat tracks during emergency landing conditions and consequent injury to passengers.

This action corrects an error in the geographic coordinates of a waypoint (WP) listed in the description of route T-210 in a final rule published in the Federal Register on March 27, 2006 (71 FR 15027), Airspace Docket No. 05-ASO-10. This action also makes an editorial change to the order of the points listed in the route description.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the availability of final policy on Lightning Direct Effects Compliance.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA-360C, SA-365C, SA-365C1, and SA-365C2 helicopters. This action requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) base plate for a crack and replacing the MGB if a crack is found. This amendment is prompted by the discovery of a crack in a MGB base plate. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect a crack in a MGB base plate and prevent failure of one of the MGB attachment points to the frame, which could result in severe vibration and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sicma Aero Seat (formerly Farner) cabin attendant seats series 150 type FN and series 151 type WN. This AD requires installing two protection fairings over the upper seat structure to cover the gap between the upper and lower seats and prevent any contact with the bottom seat folding mechanisms. This AD results from a child catching its fingers in the folding mechanism of the bottom of the attendant seat. We are issuing this AD to prevent injury resulting from contact with the bottom folding mechanism.

FMCSA invites public comment on its plan to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to collect information on new forms entitled ``Carrier Contact Information Sheets.'' The information will be collected from United States and Canada-based motor carriers through the use forms, and used by FMCSA Safety Auditors and Safety Investigators to prepare in advance for Compliance Reviews (CRs) and New Entrant Program Safety Audits (NEPSAs); Pre-authority Safety Audits (PASAs) and CRs of certain Mexico-domiciled motor carriers; and NEPSAs and CRs of Non-North American motor carriers. FMCSA conducts CRs to determine motor carrier compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and other regulations overseen by FMCSA. In accordance with section 350 of the 2002 DOT Appropriations Act and the Agency's regulations, all Mexico-domiciled long-haul carriers must successfully complete a PASA before receiving authority to operate in the United States and must receive a CR within their first 18 months of operations in the United States. All other motor carriers receive CRs to determine their safety fitness. FMCSA conducts NEPSAs in accordance with section 210 of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999, which requires safety reviews of all new entrants during their first 18 months of operations. The information collected from motor carriers will be used to assist safety investigators to become familiar with the motor carrier's operation prior to visiting the carrier's place of business. The information collected will include, but is not limited to, company information and contact persons, business type, insurance, type of cargo transported, vehicle and driver information and controlled substance testing information. Additional information will be collected from carriers who transport hazardous materials, household goods, and passengers or are domiciled in Mexico. This notice is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This document responds to two petitions for reconsideration of our September 2004 final rule amending the Federal motor vehicle safety standard for power-operated windows, partitions, and roof panel systems. The amendments required that switches for these windows and other items in new motor vehicles be resistant to accidental actuation that causes those items to begin to close. The purpose of the amendments was to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities to people, especially children, that occur when they unintentionally close the power-operated items on themselves by accidentally leaning against or kneeling or standing on the switch or when other occupants accidentally actuate the switch in that manner. The petitions for reconsideration requested that the agency adopt additional amendments. The petitions are granted in part and denied in part. In responding to the petitions' request to require ``pull-up-to- close'' power window switches, we are simultaneously implementing a congressional mandate to require such switches. In addition, through this document, we are amending the standard to make a number of technical amendments.

This document makes a correction to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2006 by changing the amendment number to a notice number. The NPRM proposed to extend, by 12 months, the date for operators to comply with the fire penetration resistance requirements of thermal/acoustic insulation used in transport category airplanes manufactured after September 2, 2007.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 F4-600R series airplanes and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes. This proposed AD would require modifying certain structure in the fuselage zone at the lavatory venturi installation in the nose section, and performing a related investigative action and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD results from an analysis that revealed that airplanes equipped with Airbus Modification 08909 had a concentration of loads higher than expected in the fuselage zone (high stress) at the lavatory venturi installation in the nose section, which could be the origin of cracks that developed in the fuselage skin and propagated from the edge of the air vent hole. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin, which could result in loss of the structural integrity of the fuselage and consequent rapid depressurization of the airplane.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, - 700C, and -800 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires replacing the point ``D'' splice fitting between windows number 1 and 2 with a new splice fitting; performing an eddy current inspection for cracking of the holes in the structure common to the new splice fitting, including doing any related investigative actions; and performing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would add repetitive inspections for cracking of the skin just below each splice fitting, and related corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from full-scale fuselage fatigue testing on the splice fitting that failed prior to the design objective on Boeing Model 737-800 series airplanes, and a report of a cracked splice fitting on an operational airplane. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the existing fitting, which may result in cracking through the skin and consequent decompression of the flight cabin.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135BJ airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting for missing fire blocking material on the left- and right-hand partitions of the forward baggage compartment door; replacing the seal on both partitions; and performing corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report indicating that certain airplanes were delivered with the fire blocking material missing and the seal improperly installed on the partitions of the forward baggage compartment door. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such discrepancies on the partitions of the forward baggage compartment door, which, in the event of a fire in the baggage compartment, could result in smoke propagating into the main cabin.

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2005-05-20 that was sent previously to all known affected U.S. operators of certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747- 200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SP, 747SR, 767-200, 767-300, 777- 200, 777-300, and 777-300ER series airplanes by individual notices. This AD requires modification of certain flight deck door electronic equipment. This AD results from a report indicating that this equipment is defective. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of this equipment, which could jeopardize flight safety.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747 airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the web of the station (STA) 2360 aft pressure bulkhead around the fastener heads in the critical fastener rows in the web lap joints, from the Y-chord to the inner ring; and repair if necessary. This proposed AD also would require a modification, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD results from analysis by the manufacturer that the radial lap splices of the STA 2360 aft pressure bulkhead are subject to widespread fatigue damage. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the bulkhead web at multiple sites along the radial lap splice, which could join together to form cracks of critical length, and result in rapid decompression and loss of control of the airplane.

This document proposes to modify Class E airspace at Fremont, MI. Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed for Fremont Municipal Airport, Fremont, MI. 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 would increase the area of the existing controlled airspace for Fremont, MI.

These special conditions are issued for McDonnell Douglas DC- 8-72F airplanes modified by Avionics and Systems Integration Group, LLC. These modified airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. The modification incorporates the installation of Universal Avionics Systems Corporation EFI-600 Electronic Flight Instruments that perform critical functions. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety 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 that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Aerospatiale Model ATR42 airplanes. This AD requires one-time inspections to detect discrepancies (e.g., cracking, loose/sheared fasteners, distortion) of the upper skin and rib feet of the outer wing boxes, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a report of cracking on the upper skin and ribs of the outer wing box on an in- service airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct these discrepancies, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes, as listed above. That AD currently requires an initial general visual or dye penetrant inspection, repetitive dye penetrant inspections, and replacement, as necessary, of the rudder pedal bracket. This new AD also requires, for certain airplanes, replacing the rudder pedal bracket assemblies with new, improved parts, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report of numerous cracked rudder pedal brackets found during inspections of certain affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the rudder pedal bracket assembly, which could result in the loss of rudder and braking control at either the captain's or first officer's position.