Department of Transportation September 21, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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: It has been found the possibility of elevator mass balance fasteners becoming slack under certain conditions. The loose of at least two fasteners may lead to an unbalance condition, which may induce flutter on airplane elevators.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 85-08-04, which applies to certain Vulcanair S.p.A. (Vulcanair) Models P 68, P 68B, P 68C, P 68C-TC, and P 68 ``OBSERVER'' airplanes. AD 85-08-04 currently requires you to repetitively visually inspect the front and rear wing spars for cracks. If cracks are found, AD 85-08-04 requires you to modify the wing spars. The wing spar modification terminates the repetitive inspection AD action and may be installed before cracks develop. Since we issued AD 85-08-04, the manufacturer revised the modification kit and identified additional airplane serial numbers that require the inspection and/or modification. Consequently, this proposed AD would retain the actions of AD 85-08-04, allow you to install the revised modification kit, and add additional serial numbers to the Applicability section. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the front and rear wing spar, which could result in the wing separating from the airplane. This failure could lead to loss of control.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) proposes that the Association of American Railroads (AAR) annually update each Class I railroad's weighted average State tax rate for use in the Revenue Shortfall Allocation Method (RSAM), which is one of three benchmarks that together are used to determine the reasonableness of a challenged rate under the Board's Simplified Standards for Rail Rate Cases, STB Docket No. 646 (Sub-No. 1) (STB served Sept. 5, 2007) (Simplified Standards). Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 11145, the Board proposes that AAR calculate the weighted average State tax rate using the number of miles operated by each Class I carrier in each state and the corporate income tax rates for each State. The Board proposes that AAR submit this information on or before the due date for the Class I railroads to submit their Annual Report R-1, Schedule 250.

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: