Department of Transportation 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede AD 2007-13-17, which applies to certain Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes. AD 2007-13- 17 currently requires you to repetitively inspect the engine mount for any cracks, repair or replace any cracked engine mount, and report any cracks found to the FAA. Since we issued AD 2007-13-17, Air Tractor has learned of a Model AT-502B with a crack located where the lower engine mount tube is welded to the engine mount ring. In addition, Air Tractor has developed gussets that, when installed according to their service letter, terminate the repetitive inspection requirement. Consequently, this AD would retain the inspection actions of AD 2007-13-17 for Model AT-602, AT-802, and AT-802A airplanes, including the compliance times and effective dates; establish new inspection actions for the AT-400 and AT-500 series airplanes; incorporate a mandatory terminating action for all airplanes; and terminate the reporting requirement of AD 2007- 13-17. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the engine mount, which could result in failure of the engine mount. Such failure could lead to separation of the engine from the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness by incorporating new limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This AD also requires the initial inspection of a certain repetitive AWL inspection to phase in that inspection, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. This AD requires revising the FAA-approved maintenance program by incorporating new airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This AD also requires the initial inspection of certain repetitive AWL inspections to phase in those inspections, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion 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) that applies to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. The existing AD currently requires performing repetitive inspections for cracks, ruptures, or bends in certain components of the elevator control system; replacing discrepant components; and, for certain airplanes, installing a new spring cartridge and implementing new logic for the electromechanical gust lock system. The existing AD also requires eventual modification of the elevator gust lock system to replace the mechanical system with an electromechanical system, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This AD reduces the compliance time for doing the modification. This AD results from additional reports of failure of the mechanical gust lock system to protect the elevator control surfaces and components from high wind gusts. We are issuing this AD to prevent discrepancies in the elevator control system, which could result in reduced control of the elevator and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

This action confirms the effective date of a direct final rule published in the Federal Register (73 FR 9183) that establishes Class E Airspace at Swans Island, ME to support a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Special Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) that has been developed for medical flight operations into the Swans Island Heliport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public of the approval of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on an Environmental Assessment for proposed Federal actions at Chicago/Rockford International Airport, Rockford, Illinois. The FONSI specifies that the proposed federal actions and local development projects are consistent with existing environmental policies and objectives as set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and will not significantly affect the quality of the environment. A description of the proposed Federal actions is: (a) To issue an environmental finding to allow approval of the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for the development items listed below. The items in the local airport development project are to: (1) Secure fill material for air cargo development; (2) Construct air cargo development including two buildings and apron area that would provide a total of approximately 184,000 square feet of interior space, approximately 693,000 square feet of apron for taxiing and parking of up to five widebody aircraft, automobile/truck parking and access, and airport service roads, including grading, drainage, sanitary, electrical, and lighting, as necessary; (3) Construct approximately 5,350 linear feet of sanitary sewer, approximately 1,900 linear feet of storm sewer, lift station with a 2.16 million gallon per day capacity and combination and diversion flow structures for the collection and treatment of deicing fluids associated with commercial operations; (4) Obtain Airport Layout Plan approval for this proposed project development; and (5) removal of the previously abandoned Beltline Road (the roadway was abandoned as a portion of the Runway 7 extension). Copies of the environmental decision and the Short Form EA are available for public information review during regular business hours at the following locations: 1. Chicago/Rockford International Airport, 60 Airport Drive, Rockford, IL 61109. 2. Division of Aeronautics-Illinois Department of Transportation, One Langhorne Bond Drive, Capital Airport, Springfield, IL 62707. 3. Federal Aviation Administration, Chicago Airports District Office, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Room 320, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018.

This notice contains a summary of a petition 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 the petition or its final disposition.

This notice contains a summary of a petition 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 the petition or its final disposition.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections to detect cracks and corrosion on any existing repairs and at certain body stations of the visible surfaces of the wing to body terminal fittings including the web, flanges, and ribs; and applicable related investigative and corrective actions. This proposed AD results from reports of cracks found in the wing to body terminal fittings during routine inspections. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracks and corrosion in the body terminal fittings, which could cause loss of support for the wing and could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport, Fort Collins, CO. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate instrument flight rules (IFR) operations from this airport located in mountainous terrain and enable positive control at Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport, Fort Collins, CO. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport, Fort Collins, CO.

The FAA announces a May 15, 2008, deadline for submitting requests for domestic and international scheduled arrivals at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) for the Winter 2008/2009 scheduling season beginning October 26, 2008. The deadline coincides with the submission deadline established by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the Winter 2008/2009 Schedules Conference.

The FAA is issuing this technical amendment to reserve subparts BB and CC in 14 CFR part 121. The FAA is engaged in rulemaking and anticipates codifying the new regulations in part 121 subparts BB and CC.

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:

We are revising an earlier NPRM for the products listed above. This action revises the earlier NPRM by expanding the scope. 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 is revising an earlier NPRM for an airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. The original NPRM would have superseded an existing AD that currently requires inspecting to detect cracking in certain lower lobe fuselage skin lap joints, doing repetitive inspections for cracking at certain fastener locations having countersunk fasteners, and replacing countersunk fasteners with protruding head fasteners at certain fastener locations. The original NPRM proposed to replace a previous high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection method with a new HFEC inspection method, add a one-time inspection for cracking of certain airplanes, and terminate the adjustment factor for the inspection compliance times based on cabin differential pressure. The original NPRM also included an inspection at an additional lap joint. The original NPRM resulted from reports of fuselage skin cracks found at certain countersunk fastener locations in the upper row of lap joints near the wing-to-body fairings, and from a report that the presence of Alodine-coated rivets could cause faulty results during the required inspections using the optional sliding probe HFEC inspection method specified in the existing AD. This new action revises the original NPRM by including inspections at additional lap joint locations and by removing inspections at certain other lap joint locations. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent reduced structural integrity of the fuselage.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent published on August 28, 2002, to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed highway project in Mobile County, Alabama is being rescinded.

This document proposes to amend Appendices A and C of 49 CFR Part 544, Insurer Reporting Requirements. The appendices list those passenger motor vehicle insurers that are required to file reports on their motor vehicle theft loss experiences. An insurer included in any of these appendices would be required to file three copies of its report for the 2005 calendar year before October 25, 2008. If the passenger motor vehicle insurers remain listed, they must submit reports by each subsequent October 25. We are proposing to add and remove several insurers from relevant appendices.

The FAA proposes to adopt 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 proposed AD would require 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 proposed AD would require inspecting and repairing if necessary or replacing previously repaired door jamb corners with an applicable repair. This proposed 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 proposing 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from service history of incidents and accidents involving transport category turbojet airplanes without leading edge high lift devices. This service history shows that even small amounts of frost, ice, snow, or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces can cause an adverse change in the stall speeds and stall characteristics, and can negate the protection provided by a stall protection system. While there have been no accidents or incidents related to wing contamination associated with the BAE Systems (Operations) Limited Model BAe 146 and Model Avro 146- RJ airplanes, these airplanes are also transport category turbojet airplanes without leading edge high lift devices, and therefore may be similarly sensitive to small amounts of wing contamination. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to include a new cold weather operations limitation. We are issuing this AD to prevent possible loss of control on takeoff resulting from even small amounts of frost, ice, snow, or slush on the wing leading edges or forward upper wing surfaces. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) model helicopters. This action requires certain checks and inspections of each tail rotor blade assembly (T/R blade) at specified intervals and repairing or replacing, as applicable, any unairworthy T/R blade. This amendment is prompted by three failures of a T/R blade occurring during flight and a recent incident of a cracked T/R blade discovered during a scheduled visual inspection. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect damage to a T/R blade that could lead to cracking of a T/R blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Interested parties are invited to comment on an application by the Electronic Industries Alliance for an administrative determination as to whether Federal hazardous material transportation law preempts requirements of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection on the transportation of cathode ray tubes and glass removed from cathode ray tubes.

The Section of Environmental Analysis (SEA) issued the Final Scope of Study in the above-captioned proceeding on April 25, 2008 and published the Final Scope of Study in the Federal Register on April 28, 2008. It has come to our attention that a statement on page 7 of the Final Scope is confusing and open to various interpretations. Therefore, we will strike this language: