Department of Transportation June 20, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A300 airplanes and Model A310 airplanes, and certain Airbus Model A300-600 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have superseded an existing AD that currently requires an inspection of the wing and center fuel tanks to determine if certain P-clips are installed and corrective action if necessary; an inspection of electrical bonding points of certain equipment in the center fuel tank for the presence of a blue coat and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; and installation of new bonding leads and electrical bonding points on certain equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks, as necessary. The original NPRM proposed to require, for certain airplanes, installation of bonding on an additional bracket. The original NPRM resulted from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This new action revises the original NPRM by adding a requirement, for certain airplanes, to modify the fuel/defuel valves on the left-hand wing. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to ensure continuous electrical bonding protection of equipment in the wing, center, and trim fuel tanks and to prevent damage to wiring in the wing and center fuel tanks, due to failed P-clips used for retaining the wiring and pipes, which could result in a possible fuel ignition source in the fuel tanks.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of each fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wire harness connector for corrosion of the shield-to-backshell connection, corrosion on the ground jumper, and damage to the ground jumper; a loop resistance test of each FQIS wire harness; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of corrosion of the out-tank wire harness of the spar connector backshell for the FQIS. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of the out-tank wire harness, which could prevent correct grounding of the lightning shield and result in total loss of the electrical grounding between the lightning shield and the airplane structure. This condition, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This notice sets forth the schedule for an additional meeting of the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Advisory Committee. Pursuant to section 4135 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), the Secretary of Transportation established this advisory committee to study and address current impediments and foreseeable challenges to the commercial driver's license program's effectiveness and measures needed to realize the full safety potential of the commercial driver's license program. Members of the advisory committee include State motor vehicle administrators, organizations representing government agencies or officials, members of the Judicial Conference, representatives of the trucking industry, representatives of labor organizations, and safety advocates.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 5 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that will be equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

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 airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a fire in the auxiliary power unit air intake. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. That AD currently requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to require the flightcrew to maintain certain minimum fuel levels in the center fuel tanks, and to prohibit the use of the horizontal stabilizer fuel tank. This new AD requires installing new integrated display system (IDS) software; and also requires revising the AFM to include procedures to prevent dry operation of the center wing and horizontal stabilizer fuel tanks, for maintaining minimum fuel levels, and for de-fueling fuel tanks. For certain airplanes, this new AD also requires removing certain program pin ground wires of the IDS. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to reduce the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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), which applies to certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340- 200, and A340-300 series airplanes; and Model A340-541 and -642 airplanes. That 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 new AD requires installing new software, which would end the actions required by the existing AD. This new AD also adds additional airplanes that may be placed on the U.S. Register in the future. This AD results from an incident in which all of the DUs for the EIS went blank simultaneously during flight. We are issuing 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP series airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manuals (AFMs) of those airplanes, and doing repetitive functional checks of the forward water drain/supply valves and applicable corrective actions. This AD also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive functional checks. This AD results from reports of failed forward water drain/ supply valves on numerous airplanes, and reports of ice striking the wing-to-body fairings and engine nose cowls of several airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent leakage from failed water drain/supply valves allowing the build-up of ice on the airplane, which could separate and strike the airplane structure aft of the failed valves; become ingested by a propulsion engine; or become a hazard to persons or property on the ground.

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), PHMSA is publishing the following list of special permit applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. This notice is abbreviated to expedite docketing and public notice. Because the sections affected, modes of transportation, and the nature of application have been shown in earlier Federal Register publications, they are not repeated here. Request of modifications of special permits (e.g. to provide for additional hazardous materials, packaging design changes, additional mode of transportation, etc.) are described in footnotes to the application number. Application numbers with the suffix ``M'' demote a modification request. These applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.