Department of Transportation March 15, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Surface Transportation Board seeks public comment on the desirability of establishing, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), a Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee, to provide independent advice and policy suggestions to the Board on issues related to the reliability of rail transportation of resources critical to the nation's energy supply, including, but not necessarily limited to, the rail transportation of coal and ethanol. Specifically, the Board seeks the views of interested persons on the utility of establishing such a committee, and, if established, the appropriate scope and the optimum size and composition of such a committee so as to reflect an appropriate and balanced cross-section of interested and affected stakeholders.

This document corrects the dates and addresses captions in a request for comments published in the Federal Register of February 27, 2007 (72 FR 8664), regarding the acquisition of new and updated manufacturers' future product plans to aid in implementing the President's plan for reforming and increasing corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for passenger cars and further increasing the already reformed light truck standards. The DATES caption did not include the correct date for submission of light truck product plans, and the addresses caption did not include a complete docket number.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitively resetting the display units (DUs) for the electronic instrument system (EIS), either by switching them off and back on again or by performing a complete electrical shutdown of the airplane. This proposed AD would require installing new software, which would end the actions required by the existing AD. This proposed AD also would add additional airplanes that may be placed on the U.S. Register in the future. This proposed AD results from an incident in which all of the DUs for the EIS went blank simultaneously during flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent automatic reset of the DUs for the EIS during flight and consequent loss of data from the DUs, which could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to control the airplane during adverse flight conditions.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks and/or corrosion of the girt bar support fitting at certain main entry doors (MED), and repair or replacement of the support fitting. The existing AD also provides for various terminating actions for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would require the following additional actions: An inspection, for certain airplanes, for correct installation of square and conical washers in the girt bar support fitting; an inspection, for certain other airplanes, to determine if the washers are installed; and related investigative and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report that the square and conical washers may be installed incorrectly in the girt bar support fitting on airplanes on which the support fitting was repaired or replaced in accordance with the requirements of the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of the girt bar support fitting, which could result in separation of the escape slide from the lower door sill during deployment, and subsequently prevent proper operation of the escape slides at the main entry doors during an emergency. We are also proposing this AD to detect and correct incorrect installation of the square and conical washers in the girt bar support fitting, which could result in failure of the escape slide when deployed.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that FHWA will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the relocation of railroad lines in Knox County, Indiana and Lawrence County, Illinois. The proposed rail relocation study will involve the relocation of the two CSX Transportation (CSXT) railroad mainline tracks, the north-south mainline and the east-west mainline that traverses through the City of Vincennes and portions of Knox County, Indiana and Lawrence County Illinois.

FRA is issuing this notice to advise the public that FRA and the California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) will jointly prepare a project level Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and project level Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the section of the Authority's proposed California High-Speed Train (HST) System from the City of Los Angeles (Union Station) to Orange County (Anaheim) in compliance with relevant State and federal laws, in particular the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 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 the Authority and its representatives will be considered in the preparation of the combined EIR/EIS. The Authority and FRA completed a Program EIR/EIS for the California HST System in 2005 as the first-phase of a tiered environmental review process for the proposed California HST System. The Authority certified the Final Program EIR and issued a decision, and FRA issued a Record of Decision in November 2005 on the Final Program EIS, selecting the HST Alternative for further project level environmental review and selecting corridor alignments and potential station locations, including a corridor between Los Angeles and Orange County. The preparation of this project level Los Angeles-Orange County HST EIR/EIS will involve development of preliminary engineering designs and assessment of environmental effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the HST system, including track, ancillary facilities and stations, along the previously selected Los Angeles-Orange County corridor.

This action updates the name of the controlling agency for Restricted Area R-6601, Fort A.P. Hill, VA. The FAA is taking this action to reflect the correct facility name. This is an administrative change that does not alter the boundaries, designated altitudes, time of designation, or activities conducted within R-6601.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Rolls Royce plc (RR) RB211-524 series turbofan engines with certain part number (P/N) intermediate pressure compressor (IPC) stage 5 disks installed. That AD currently requires new reduced IPC stage 5 disk cyclic limits. This AD requires the same reduced IPC stage 5 disk cyclic limits, requires removal from service of affected disks that already exceed the new reduced cyclic limit, and, removal from service of other affected disks before exceeding their cyclic limits using a drawdown schedule. This AD also exempts disks reworked to RR Service Bulletin (SB) No. RB.211-72-E182, Revision 1, dated July 30, 2004, and allows an on-wing eddy current inspection (ECI) on RB211-524G and RB211-524H series engines. This AD results from the manufacturer issuing a revised Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) to remove certain disks from applicability, and to allow an on-wing ECI on RB211-524G and RB211-524H series engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the IPC stage 5 disk, which could result in uncontained engine failure and possible damage to the airplane.

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) Models 58 and G58 airplanes with optional propeller unfeathering accumulators installed. This AD requires you to inspect the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly for any chafing; replace the propeller accumulator oil tube assembly if any chafing is found; and reposition and secure with clamps both the left engine manifold pressure hose and its metal identification tags to avoid contact with other tubes, hoses, electrical wires, parts, components, and structure. This AD results from several reports on the affected airplanes of chafing damage on the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect, correct, and prevent any chafing damage of the left propeller accumulator oil tube assembly, which could result in loss of engine oil. Loss of engine oil may lead to fire or smoke in the engine compartment, inability to unfeather the propeller, engine damage, or loss of engine power.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Airbus Model A318-100 and A319-100 series airplanes, Model A320-111 airplanes, and Model A320-200, A321-100, and A321-200 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the upper and lower attachments of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer actuator (THSA) to measure for proper clearance and to detect cracks, damage, and metallic particles. The existing AD also requires corrective actions, if necessary, and reports of inspection findings. This new AD shortens the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. This AD results from new test results on the secondary load path, which indicated the need to shorten the repetitive interval for inspecting the upper THSA attachment. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct failure of the THSA's primary load path, which could result in latent (undetected) loading and eventual failure of the THSA's secondary load path and consequent uncontrolled movement of the horizontal stabilizer and loss of control of the airplane.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City and County of Honolulu, Department of Transportation Services (DTS) intend to prepare an EIS on a proposal by the City and County of Honolulu to implement a fixed-guideway transit system in the corridor between Kapolei and the University of Hawai[revaps]i at M[amacr]noa with a branch to Waik[imacr]k[imacr]. Alternatives proposed to be considered in the draft EIS include No Build and two Fixed Guideway Transit alternatives. The EIS will be prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and its implementing regulations. The FTA and DTS request public and interagency input on the purpose and need to be addressed by the project, the alternatives to be considered in the EIS, and the environmental and community impacts to be evaluated.

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 September 14, 2006, vol. 71, no. 178, page 54330. The FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) conducts this survey in order to obtain industry input on customer service standards which have been developed and distributed to industry customers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the release of 250.357 acres of vacant airport property currently being used for agricultural purposes for the proposed development of bulk warehouse/distribution facilities as a component of the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park. The land was acquired by the Rickenbacker Port Authority through Quitclaim Deed dated March 30, 1984 from the Administrator of General Services for the United States of America. There are no impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to dispose of the property. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the disposal of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The CRAA will receive $5,383,000 for the parcel. 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.