Department of Transportation July 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model ATP airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate life limits for certain items and inspections to detect fatigue cracking in certain structures; to incorporate new inspections to detect fatigue cracking of certain significant structural items (SSIs); and to revise life limits for certain equipment and various components. This new AD requires revising the ALS of the ICA to include revised requirements. This AD results from the determination that additional and revised inspections of the fuselage are needed. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of certain structural elements, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 airplanes. This AD requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bombardier Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD requires revising the Certification Maintenance Requirements and the Maintenance Review Board Report sections of the Canadair Regional Jet Maintenance Requirements Manual to include changes and additions to checks of the aileron power control units (PCUs) and a change to the interval of the backlash check of the aileron control system. This AD results from a report that data collected from in- service airplanes show that approximately 19 percent of aileron backlash checks conducted at 4,000-flight-hour intervals reveal that aileron backlash wear limits are being exceeded. We are issuing this AD to prevent exceeded backlashes in both aileron PCUs, which, if accompanied by the failure of the flutter damper, could result in aileron vibration/flutter and reduced controllability of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 737-800 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting flight spoilers to determine spoiler position after every landing and after any rejected takeoff maneuver. For airplanes on which any flight spoiler is found in the up position with the speedbrake handle in the down position, the existing AD requires replacing the flight spoiler actuator with a flight spoiler actuator having a certain part number. The existing AD also requires an operational test of the speedbrake control system after any maintenance actions that operate the spoiler system, and replacement of the flight spoiler actuator if necessary. The existing AD also provides for optional terminating action for those requirements. This new AD requires the previously optional terminating action. This AD results from a report of seven flight spoiler actuator jams on Model 737-800 airplanes equipped for short field performance (SFP). The cause of the failure has been identified as interference within the actuator main control valve. We are issuing this AD to prevent operation with defective flight spoiler actuators, which could result in a flight spoiler actuator hardover, and could cause the flight spoiler surface to jam in the fully extended position. Two or more hardover failures of the flight spoiler surfaces in the up direction on the same wing, if undetected prior to takeoff, can cause significant roll and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 210, Cabin Management.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces it has terminated its review of the Noise Compatibility Program, at the request of the City of Atlanta, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47504 and 14 CFR Part 150.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-30F (KC- 10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes; and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This proposed AD would require installation of control cable freeze protection by making certain changes. This proposed AD results from reports of standing water on the horizontal pressure panel above the main and center landing gear wheel wells. We are proposing this AD to prevent the accumulation of ice on the flight control cables in the wheel wells. When the landing gear doors open or vibration in this area occurs, such ice accumulation could break off and can cause injury to people or damage to property on the ground, can affect landing gear controls and rear spar flight control systems, can cause damage to other control systems, and might cause loss of control of the airplane.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD's) intention to request extension of approval for three years of a currently approved information collection.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 64 individuals for exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision standard.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This information collection is associated with the agency's study by a research contractor which will investigate commercial motor vehicle driver risk factors. This information collection will aid FMCSA in developing future safety initiatives by examining a wide array of driver and situational factors to determine if they are associated with increased or decreased crash and incident involvement. On March 23, 2007 FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR. Two comments were received regarding the utility of the survey. These comments will be considered during the information collection activities for the study.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

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'' denote a modification request. There applications have been separated from the new application for special permits to facilitate processing.

This document contains a correction to the final rule (FAA- 2007-27594; 07-ASO-3), which was published in the Federal Register of May 8, 2007, (72 FR 25962), establishing Class D and E airspace at Aguadilla, PR. This action corrects errors in the summary and legal description for the Class E4 airspace at Aguadilla, PR.

Under 49 U.S.C. 10502, the Board is granting a petition for exemption from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10902 for Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Co., a Class II rail carrier, to lease and operate 4.8 miles of railroad in Milwaukee, WI, owned by Soo Line Railroad Company d/b/a Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). The subject trackage, known as the Glendale Line, extends southerly from the north line of Hampton Avenue at CPR milepost 93.2 on the Watertown Subdivision to CPR milepost 88.4, which end point is approximately 500 feet south of the southerly street line of State Street, and includes a portion of CPR's Glendale Yard known as the ``B'' yard.

This document grants in full the petition of Hyundai-Kia Motors Corporation (Hyundai) in accordance with 543.9(c)(2) of 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from the Theft Prevention Standard, for the Hyundai Azera vehicle line beginning with model year (MY) 2008. This petition is granted because the agency has determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard.

This notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition.

DOT proposes to relocate the time zone boundary in Indiana to move Knox, Daviess, Martin, Pike, and Dubois Counties from the Central Time Zone to the Eastern Time Zone. This action is taken at the request of the Boards of Commissioners of each of the counties. DOT requests comment on whether this change would serve the convenience of commerce, the statutory standard for a time zone change and whether the time zone boundary should be changed for other contiguous counties in southwestern Indiana. Persons supporting or opposing the change should not assume that the change will be made merely because DOT is making the proposal. The final rule will be based on all of the information received during the entire rulemaking proceeding and whether the statutory standard has been met.

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 March 26, 2007, vol. 72, no. 57, pages 14162-14163. The FAA has initiated customer service surveys throughout the agency, requiring that every element have contact with their customers to assure that their needs are being met and that service is improved.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating new and revised certification maintenance requirements. This AD results from the manufacturer determining that additional and revised certification maintenance requirements are necessary in order to ensure continued operational safety of the affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent safety-significant latent failures that would, in combination with one or more other specific failures or events, result in a hazardous or catastrophic failure condition of avionics, hydraulic systems, fire detection systems, fuel systems, or other critical systems.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GE CF6-80C2D1F turbofan engines, installed on McDonnell Douglas Corporation MD-11 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require removing previous software versions from the engine electronic control unit (ECU). Engines with new version software will have increased margin to flameout. This proposed AD results from reports of engine flameout events during flight, including reports of events where all engines simultaneously experienced a flameout or other adverse operation. Although the root cause investigation is not yet complete, we believe that exposure to ice crystals during flight is associated with these flameout events. We are proposing this AD to minimize the potential of an all-engine flameout event caused by ice accretion and shedding during flight.

This action modifies the integrity management regulations for hazardous liquid and natural gas transmission pipelines. The modifications include adding an eight-month window to the period for reassessing hazardous liquid pipelines; modifying notification requirements for operators of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines; repealing a requirement for gas operators to notify local authorities; and allowing alternatives in calculating pressure reduction when making an immediate repair on a hazardous liquid pipeline. This action is intended to improve pipeline safety by clarifying the integrity management regulations and providing operators with increased flexibility in implementing their integrity management (IM) programs.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration's (MARAD's) intention to request extension of approval (with modifications) for three years of a currently approved information collection.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) are issuing this early scoping notice to advise agencies and the public that they intend to explore, in the context of the Council on Environmental Quality's early scoping process, alternative means of implementing rapid transit improvements in the Detroit area in Wayne County, Michigan. Three alignments, described below, will be examined, largely to explore their potential for implementation of a major transit capital investment (New Start). Public scoping meetings have been planned and are announced below. This process may result in selection of a locally preferred alternative (proposed action). If preparation of an environmental impact statement is warranted, this early scoping process is intended to satisfy standard National Environmental Policy Act scoping requirements, except that comments on the purpose and need for the proposed action, the range of alternatives to be considered, and potentially significant impacts, as described in a forthcoming notice of intent, will be invited and considered.