Department of Transportation 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. FMCSA requests approval to revise an existing information collection (IC) entitled, ``Application for Certificate of Registration for Foreign Motor Carriers and Foreign Motor Private Carriers,'' that requires Mexico-domiciled for-hire and private motor carriers to file an application Form OP-2 if they wish to register to transport property only within municipalities in the United States on the U.S.-Mexico international borders or within the commercial zones of such municipalities. On June 9, 2008, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice announcing for a 60-day comment period on the ICR. No comments were received on the ICR.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the PZL Swidnik S. A. (PZL) Model W-3A helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. The MCAI states: ``In PZL W-3A helicopter S/N 37.07.05, and previously also in the PZL W-3AS model helicopters, leakage was found in the pipe 37.59.006.00.00 installed in the pressure line of hydraulic system 2, in the part between the hydraulic block and the ground hydraulic unit panel. The hydraulic system in the part between hydraulic blocks and the ground hydraulic unit panel is used only during periodical inspections, for the performance of which it is required to use the hydraulic power unit. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a fire hazard.'' The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent this unsafe condition.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include procedures for pulling the ``HYD PWR XFER'' circuit breaker in the event of the loss of all hydraulic fluid in the No. 1 or No. 2 hydraulic system. This AD requires a revision to the AFM to include additional procedures for ensuring that the ``PTU CNTRL'' switch is Normal, the ``PTU CNTRL ON'' advisory light is out, and the ``HYD PWR XFER'' circuit breaker is pulled in the event of the illumination of the ``2 HYD ISO VALVE'' caution light. This AD resulted from low No. 2 hydraulic pressure in-flight, which caused the power transfer unit to overspeed, and the fluid flow within the No. 1 hydraulic system to increase. We are issuing this AD to prevent possible loss of both the No. 1 and No. 2 hydraulic systems, resulting in the potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight and landing of the airplane.

This notice provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) National Transit Database (NTD) proposed new policy on natural disaster adjustments to NTD data. If a transit provider suffers a marked decrease in transit service due to a natural disaster, FTA proposes to allow that transit provider to be ``held harmless'' in the apportionment of formula grants for urbanized areas. In this case, FTA would use the transit provider's data from the NTD report year before the natural disaster in the apportionment, but use data from the current NTD report year for all other transit providers. Under this proposed policy, FTA would only make this adjustment upon the request of the affected transit provider or the designated recipient for the urbanized area, and FTA would grant this request at its discretion based on the disaster's demonstrated severity and impacts. FTA proposes for this policy to take effect for the 2007 NTD Report Year, which is the data to be used in the FY 2009 apportionment of formula grants for urbanized areas.

The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) invite the public to comment about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew information collection forms, associated with OSDBU. The collection involves the use of the Regional Center Intake Form, (DOT F 4500) which documents the type of assistance provided to each small business that is enrolled in the program. The use of the Regional Resource Center Monthly Report Form, (DOT F 4502) will highlight activities, such as counseling, marketing, meetings/conferences, and services to businesses as completed during the month. The information will be used to ascertain whether the program is providing services to its constituency, the small business community, in a fair and equitable manner. The information collected is necessary to determine whether small businesses are participating in DOT funded and DOT assisted opportunities with the DOT. The Counseling Information Form, (DOT F 4640.1) has been eliminated and the information contained in that form is now consolidated into the Regional Resource Center Monthly Report Form (formerly titled Monthly Report of Operations Form). To eliminate duplication and to streamline the data collection process, OSDBU revised the Monthly Report of Operations Form into the Regional Resource Center Monthly Report Form. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. On June 26, 2008, OSDBU published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register (73 FR 36368) Docket OST-2008-0182, informing the public of OSDBU's intention to extend an approved information collection.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for P&W PW4052, PW4056, PW4060, PW4062, PW4152, PW4156A, PW4158, PW4460, and PW4462 turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require a onetime visual inspection of all EEC-131 model electronic engine controls (EECs). This proposed AD would require the EECs to be identified, categorized by group number, marked, and replaced using a fleet management plan. This proposed AD results from a report of an uncommanded engine in-flight shutdown due to defective EEC pulse width modulator (PWM) microcircuits. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncommanded in-flight engine shutdowns which could result in loss of thrust and prevent continued safe flight or landing.

As authorized by Public Law 105-383 and Public Law 107-295, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.- build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below. The complete application is given in DOT docket MARAD-2008-0072 at https:// www.regulations.gov. Interested parties may comment on the effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. If MARAD determines, in accordance with Public Law 105-383 and MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR Part 388 (68 FR 23084; April 30, 2003), that the issuance of the waiver will have an unduly adverse effect on a U.S.-vessel builder or a business that uses U.S.- flag vessels in that business, a waiver will not be granted. Comments should refer to the docket number of this notice and the vessel name in order for MARAD to properly consider the comments. Comments should also state the commenter's interest in the waiver application, and address the waiver criteria given in Sec. 388.4 of MARAD's regulations at 46 CFR part 388.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a second meeting of RTCA Special Committee 215, Aeronautical Mobile Satellite (Route) Services, Next Generation Satellite Services and Equipment.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 209, ATCRBS/Mode S Transponder MOPS Maintenance.

We are superseding an existing 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 all AvCraft Dornier Model 328-100 airplanes. That AD currently requires modifying the electrical wiring of the fuel pumps; installing insulation at the hand flow control and shut-off valves, and other components of the environmental control system; and installing markings at fuel wiring harnesses. The existing AD also requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new inspections of the fuel tank system. This new AD replaces the flight-hour-based threshold for conducting certain initial inspections, with an 8-year threshold. This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to reduce 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.

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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F airplanes. For certain airplanes, this AD requires non- destructive testing (NDT) to detect cracks of the door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors, and doing applicable related investigative and corrective actions. For certain other airplanes, this AD requires inspecting and repairing if necessary or replacing previously repaired door jamb corners with an applicable repair. This AD results from reports of numerous cases of cracks in the skin at the door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

The FAA is requiring ``special awareness'' training for any pilot who flies under visual flight rules (VFR) within a 60-nautical- mile (NM) radius of the Washington, DC VHF omni-directional range/ distance measuring equipment (DCA VOR/DME). This training has been developed and provided by the FAA on its www.FAASafety.gov Web site and focuses primarily on training pilots on the procedures for flying in and around the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ). The rule will reduce the number of unauthorized flights into the airspace of the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area ADIZ and FRZ through education of the pilot community.

FMCSA announces and requests public comment on data and information concerning the Pre-Authority Safety Audits (PASAs) for motor carriers that have applied to participate in the Agency's project to demonstrate the ability of Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate safely in the United States beyond the commercial zones on the U.S.-Mexico border. This action is required by the ``U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007.''

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (Board) gives notice of its intent to request from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval without change of the seven existing collections described below. Comments are requested concerning each collection as to (1) Whether the particular collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate. Submitted comments will be included and/ or summarized in the Board's request for OMB approval.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requests public comment on an application for exemption from Greyhound Lines, Inc. (Greyhound) regarding the placement of video event recorders at the top of the windshields on its buses. Greyhound wants to mount the recorders in an area of the windshield that is lower than what is currently permitted by the Agency's regulations in order to obtain the most effective view of the driver, passengers or outside area to maximize the ability to improve driver safety and understand the root causes of collisions. Greyhound would use the video event recorders to increase safety through (1) Identification and remediation of risky driving behaviors such as distracted driving and drowsiness; (2) enhanced monitoring of passenger behavior; and (3) enhanced collision review and analysis. Greyhound believes this mounting position would maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

The Federal Transit Administration published a document in the Federal Register on August 1, 2008, revising the appendices to the final rule and responding to petitions for reconsideration. That document inadvertently failed to update the table in Appendix D, which should have appeared in the rule as a matrix.

This document makes a correction to Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-02-04, which was published in the Federal Register on January 22, 2008 (73 FR 3618), and applies to all Eclipse Aviation Corporation (Eclipse) Model EA500 airplanes. This AD requires incorporating a modification of the angle of attack (AOA) system, limits the applicability to airplanes under S/N 000065, and retains the operating limitations from AD 2007-13-11 until the modification is incorporated. The FAA incorrectly referenced the issue date of the AD as ``January 9, 2007'' instead of ``January 9, 2008.'' This document corrects the issue date.

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:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for BHTC Model 230 helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of Canada which indicates that the existing rigging procedures for the tail rotor pitch change mechanism have to be changed due to the possibility of parts interference. The cumulative effect of individual part tolerances resulting in the total assemblage of those parts being out of tolerance could result in the tail rotor yoke striking another part other than the flapping stop (parts interference) as cited in the MCAI. Also, the misalignment of the tail rotor counterweight bellcrank may result in higher tail rotor pedal forces and a higher pilot workload after failure of the No. 1 hydraulic system. Both parts interference and the misaligned counterweight bellcrank create an unsafe condition. This AD requires actions that are intended to address these unsafe conditions.

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.

This notice conveys the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Final Guidance on New Starts/Small Starts Policies and Procedures.