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

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a revision of the airplane flight manual to include procedures for a pre-flight elevator check before each flight, repetitive inspections for cracks of the attachment lugs of the mode selector valve position transducers on the elevator servo controls, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would retain the existing requirements, reduce the applicability of the existing AD, and add terminating actions. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require upgrading the flight control primary computers. This proposed AD results from cracks of the transducer body at its attachment lugs. We are proposing this AD to ensure proper functioning of the elevator surfaces, and to prevent cracking of the attachment lugs, which could result in partial loss of elevator function and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Utah Transit Authority (UTA) intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate proposed public transportation improvements to extend fixed guideway transit service through the cities of Sandy and Draper to the southernmost part of Salt Lake County, Utah. The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC) has adopted a long-range transportation plan, which is a comprehensive system plan and includes the full build-out of public transportation improvements in several corridors. The general alignments of the corridors have been identified in the approved plan. The Draper Transit Corridor has been identified in the plan as a two- track extension of the existing North-South Light Rail Transit (LRT) line from its current terminus at 10000 South in Sandy to about 14600 South in Draper along the UTA owned right-of-way. The Draper Transit Corridor Project, as defined in the WFRC long-range plan, was identified as the preferred alternative at the conclusion of a locally prepared alternatives analysis. The EIS will build on the results of the local alternatives analysis and evaluate other reasonable alternatives in accordance with appropriate statutes and regulations. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with section 102(2)c of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and pursuant to the Council on the Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR parts 1500- 1508), FTA/FHWA joint regulations (23 CFR 771) as well as provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The purpose of this notice is to alert interested parties regarding the intent to prepare the EIS, to provide information on the nature of the proposed project and possible alternatives, to invite public participation in the NEPA process (including providing comments on the scope of the DEIS), and to announce that a public scoping meeting will be conducted. The EIS will examine and evaluate a number of transit alternatives in the corridor including a Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative. Any additional alternatives generated by the scoping process as well as the proposed station locations for the Build alternatives will also be considered. The alternatives will be compared to a No-Action Alternative for evaluation purposes. Scoping of the EIS will be accomplished through a public meeting, correspondence with interested persons, organizations and Federal, State and local agencies, and through a meeting with cooperating and participating public agencies. A scoping information packet will be posted on the UTA Web site at https://www.rideuta.com and hard copies of the packet will be distributed on request.

FMCSA has received from Dart Transit Company (Dart) an application for an exemption from certain commercial motor vehicle driver hours-of-service provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Dart requests an exemption for 200 of its owner-operators from the prohibition against driving after the 14th hour of coming on- duty, following 10 consecutive hours off-duty, and the requirement that drivers using two sleeper-berth periods to accumulate the equivalent of 10 consecutive hours off-duty spend at least 8 but less than 10 consecutive hours in the sleeper-berth during one of those two periods. As requested by Dart, exempt drivers would be allowed to drive up to 11 hours within a 24-hour period between 3 a.m. one day and 3 a.m. the next day, be required to complete a minimum of 6 consecutive off-duty or sleeper-berth hours between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., and complete additional periods of off-duty or sleeper-berth time to total at least 10 hours of rest within any ``floating'' 24-hour period. Dart would implement a detailed, performance-based Fatigue Risk Management System to help prevent overall driver fatigue, and require the use of Electronic On-Board Recorders. Dart believes the terms and conditions of the exemption would ensure that the level of safety will be equivalent to or greater than the level of safety that would be obtained absent the exemption. FMCSA requests public comment on Dart's application for exemption.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plans to submit the Information Collection Request described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval, and invites public comment. The FMCSA invites comments on its plan to request OMB approval to revise an existing information collection (IC) entitled, ``Hours of Service of Drivers Regulations,'' OMB Control Number 2126-0001. The Agency has updated its calculation of the paperwork burden of the hours of service (HOS) rules to reflect changes in the number of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, and to clarify the burden associated with supporting documents. The Agency requires most CMV drivers to complete and maintain a record of duty status (RODS), commonly referred to as a logbook, reflecting details of changes in duty status during each 24-hour period. Drivers retain the RODS for a minimum period and then forward them, along with supporting documents (e.g., fuel receipts, road toll tickets), to the motor carrier. The motor carrier uses the supporting documents to assist in reviewing the RODS for accuracy, and retains the RODS and supporting documents for a minimum of 6 months. This IC promotes safety in the operations of motor carriers of property and passengers by assisting the carrier and enforcement officials in ensuring compliance with the HOS rules that ensure drivers are provided adequate opportunities for rest.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 147: Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems Airborne Equipment and Working Group 75.

In response to Section 14(g) of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration established a child restraint consumer information rating program. This program conducts a yearly assessment on the ease of using add-on child restraints and provides these ratings to the public. The program has been successful in encouraging child restraint manufacturers to improve their harness designs, labels, and manuals such that most now receive the top rating. However, some recent research, as well as a February 2007 public meeting held by the agency on the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system has indicated that some features that make child restraints easier to use are not being captured by the current program. Additionally, the agency wants to make sure that the program continues to provide useful information to the public. In an effort to further enhance the program and provide consumers with updated information we are proposing some new features and new rating criteria, and to adjust the scoring system. The agency anticipates that these program changes will result in more child restraints being used correctly by continuing to encourage manufacturers to install more features that help make the restraints easier to use.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 727 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks and loose brackets of the elevator rear spar, and corrective actions if necessary. The existing AD also provides for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD would reduce the repetitive intervals of the inspections, mandate the previously optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections, and no longer allow stop-drilling. This proposed AD results from new reports of cracks, elongated fastener holes, and loose fittings of the elevator rear spar. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the elevator rear spar at the tab hinge locations, which could cause excessive freeplay of the elevator control tab and possible tab flutter, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 747-100B SUD, 747-300, 747-400, and 747-400D series airplanes; and Model 747-200B series airplanes having a stretched upper deck. The existing AD currently requires repetitively inspecting for cracking or discrepancies of the fasteners in the tension ties, shear webs, and frames at body stations 1120 through 1220, and performing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD reduces the repetitive interval for certain inspections. This AD results from new reports of multiple severed adjacent tension ties, in addition to the previous reports of cracked and severed tension ties, broken fasteners, and cracks in the frame, shear web, and shear ties adjacent to tension ties for the upper deck. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the tension ties, shear webs, and frames of the upper deck, which could result in rapid decompression and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(c), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the City of Starkville to waive the requirement that a 1.87 acre parcel of surplus property, located at the George M. Bryan Field Airport, be used for aeronautical purposes.

This notice provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on changes to the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) National Transit Database (NTD) policy on strike adjustments. On March 12, 2007, FTA provided notice to NTD reporters that it was changing its policy on strikes, to permit transit agencies to request an adjustment to their NTD data that are used in the apportionment of Urbanized Area Formula Grants to offset the effect of strikes, retroactive to the 2005 Report Year. FTA invites the public to comment on this policy change.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed 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 proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD would require installing an additional support bracket for the gray water drain hose, replacing the screw of the support bracket with a new screw for the potable water supply hose, installing a spacer, doing a detailed inspection to detect interference or wear damage on hoses, lines and/or cables, and doing corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of interference between the potable water supply hose and/or gray water drain hose at the aft lavatories with the fuel line and/or power feeder cables of the auxiliary power unit (APU) located below the aft cabin floor. We are proposing this AD to prevent interference and chafing between the potable water supply hose and/or gray water hose with the fuel line and/or power feeder cables of the APU, which may cause arcing and sparking, and/or fuel leaking, and consequent fire or explosion.

The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-55, DC-8F-54, and DC-8F-55 airplanes; and Model DC-8-60, DC-8-70, DC-8-60F, and DC-8-70F series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires a one-time inspection for previous repairs of the aft fuselage skin panel at the longeron 28 skin splice; repetitive inspections for cracks of the same area; and related investigative and corrective actions. The existing AD also provides optional actions for extending the repetitive inspection intervals. This proposed AD would re-define and more clearly describe the optional actions for extending the repetitive inspection intervals. This proposed AD results from our determination that the inspections and actions described in the existing AD do not adequately address the unsafe condition. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the aft fuselage skin at the longeron 28 skin splice, which could lead to loss of structural integrity of the aft fuselage, resulting in rapid decompression of the airplane.

On April 27, 2004, the FAA revised its policy regarding the co-location of antenna systems on existing structures previously studied by the FAA. Based on various additional comments from industry regarding the initial policy, the FAA finds that further modifications to this policy are necessary.

The Information Collection Request (ICR) entitled ``Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants'' is being revised to implement a statutory provision authorizing PHMSA to request information from states concerning fees related to the transportation of hazardous materials. In addition, this ICR is being revised to include more detailed information from grantees to enable us to more accurately evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program in meeting emergency response planning and training needs. In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the ICR will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for revision and extension.

This document proposes to amend NHTSA's regulations that prescribe fees authorized by 49 U.S.C. Sec. 30141 for various functions performed by the agency with respect to the importation of motor vehicles that do not conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety and bumper standards. An importer must file with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) a Department of Transportation (DOT) conformance bond at the time that a nonconforming motor vehicle is offered for importation into the United States, or in lieu of such a bond, the importer may post cash deposits or obligations of the United States to ensure that the vehicle will be brought into conformance with all applicable standards within 120 days from the date of importation, or will be exported from, or abandoned to, the United States. To avoid the costs of a DOT conformance bond, some importers have sought to post cash deposits, which would relieve the importers of the bonding costs but cause the agency to expend considerable resources. To permit the government to recover these expenses, this amendment would establish a fee for the agency's processing of these cash deposits or obligations of the United States that are furnished in lieu of a DOT conformance bond.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216: Aeronautical Systems Security.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 206: Aeronautical Information Services Data Link.

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. These applications have been separated from the new applications for special permits to facilitate processing.

This document announces a reopening of the comment period for the above-referenced NPRM. The NPRM proposed the adoption of a new airworthiness directive for all Airbus Model A300, A310, and A300-600 series airplanes. That NPRM invites comments concerning the proposed requirements for revising the Emergency Procedures sections of the airplane flight manuals to advise the flightcrew of new procedures for emergency evacuation. This reopening of the comment period is necessary to provide additional opportunity for public comment on the proposed requirements of that NPRM.

This document announces a reopening of the comment period for the above-referenced NPRM. The NPRM proposed the adoption of a new airworthiness directive for all BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146-RJ airplanes. That NPRM invites comments concerning the proposed requirements for repetitive detailed visual inspections for corrosion, pitted fasteners, or pillowing of the APU heat shield and surrounding skin and, if applicable, removal of the heat shield and repair. This reopening of the comment period is necessary to provide additional opportunity for public comment on the proposed requirements of that NPRM.

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-19-53, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of the specified Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) model helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires replacing each affected tail rotor blade (blade) with an airworthy blade with a serial number not listed in the applicability of this AD. This AD is prompted by three incidents in which blade tip weights were slung from the blades during flight causing significant vibration. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of a blade tip weight, loss of a blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525B airplanes. This AD requires you to incorporate electrical power relay circuit protection kit part number (P/N) SB525B-24-02. This AD results from both the need to protect aircraft wiring left unprotected in the original design and a report of a Model 525B airplane experiencing in-flight loss of numerous systems, tripped circuit breakers, and burned wiring adjacent to the power distribution panel. We are issuing this AD to correct an incorrect wiring installation and to provide short-circuit protection for all wiring from the aircraft power distribution system. This condition could result in burned wiring and loss of various aircraft electrical systems.

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: