Department of Transportation October 22, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FMCSA announces its acceptance of the State of Massachusetts' periodic inspection (PI) program for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The Agency has reviewed the State's inspection program for CMVs and determined that it should be added to the list of programs which have been determined to be comparable to, or as effective as, the Federal PI requirements contained in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The State requires CMVs to be inspected annually or within 7 days of registration for newly acquired vehicles. The agency has published a list of such programs in the Federal Register previously, and this list has been revised occasionally. Including Massachusetts, 22 States, the Alabama Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board, the District of Columbia, 10 Canadian Provinces, and one Canadian Territory have PI programs which have been determined to be comparable to, or as effective as, the Federal PI requirements.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt thirty-nine individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

This action establishes Class E Airspace at Morehead, KY. Airspace is needed to support new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) that have been developed for Morehead-Rowan County Airport. As a result, controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) is needed to contain the SIAP and for Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Morehead-Rowan County Airport. The operating status of the airport will change from Visual flight Rules (VFR) to include IFR operations concurrent with the publication of the SIAP. This action enhances the safety and airspace management of Morehead-Rowan County Airport, Morehead, KY.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various transport category airplanes. This AD requires deactivation of PATS Aircraft, LLC, auxiliary fuel tanks. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer, which identified unsafe conditions for which the manufacturer has not provided corrective actions. 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 fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This action updates the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) policy on noise limits for future civil supersonic aircraft to reflect current U.S. noise regulations. This action is intended to provide guidance on noise limits to manufacturers that are considering designs for supersonic aircraft.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require deactivation or modification of the wiring to the outboard landing lights, until the wire bundles and electrical connectors have been replaced. For all airplanes, this proposed AD would also require an inspection for any broken, damaged, or missing fairleads, grommets, and wires in the four electrical junction boxes of the main wheel well, and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require replacement of certain wire bundles for the landing lights and fuel shutoff valves, and related investigative, other specified, and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require replacement of certain electrical connectors and backshell clamps. This proposed AD results from reports of uncommanded engine shutdowns and burned and damaged wire bundles associated with the outboard landing lights and engine fuel shutoff valves. This proposed AD also results from reports of damaged and missing grommets and broken and damaged fairleads in the electrical junction boxes of the main wheel well. We are proposing this AD to prevent a hot short between the outboard landing light and fuel shutoff valve circuits, which could result in an uncommanded engine shutdown. We are also proposing this AD to prevent corrosion of the electrical connectors of the wing rear spars, which could result in short circuits and consequent incorrect functioning of airplane systems needed for safe flight and landing.