Department of Transportation December 11, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA has determined that the minimum random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates for the period January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010, will remain at 25 percent of safety- sensitive employees for random drug testing and 10 percent of safety- sensitive employees for random alcohol testing.

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: One operator reported loss of both pitch trims following autopilot disengagement after take off. Subsequent shop findings revealed severe damage to the power gears. Mal-phasing between the hydraulic motors was suspected to have induced excessive loads into the gear train, leading to collapse of one bearing on a shaft of the main gear, causing severe tooth damage. The combination of tooth damage and gear tilting caused the disconnection of two of the three hydraulic motors, resulting in jamming of the THSA [Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator] gearbox and consequent loss of THSA control. This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to further cases of mal-phasing of the hydraulic motors of the THSA, causing degradation of the power gears and potentially resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 10 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

PHMSA is confirming the effective date of its direct final rule, published under Docket No. PHMSA-2009-0238 (HM-224G) on October 15, 2009, to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations by revising the quantity limitation from 25 kg ``gross'' to 25 kg ``net'' for packages of chemical oxygen generators transported aboard cargo aircraft only. The direct final rule stated that it would become effective on November 16, 2009 unless an adverse comment or notice of intent to file an adverse comment was received by November 16, 2009. PHMSA did not receive any adverse comments or notice of intent to file an adverse comment to its October 15, 2009 direct final rule.

This supplemental NPRM revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), for Honeywell International Inc. TFE731 series turbofan engines with certain second stage low-pressure compressor rotor (LPCR) discs and/or certain third stage LPCR discs installed. That proposed AD would have required removing from service certain second stage LPCR discs and/or certain third stage LPCR discs. That proposed AD resulted from a report of cracks found during a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the disc bore. This supplemental NPRM revises the proposed AD to correct a P/N error, to clarify the applicability, and to clarify the instructions in the compliance section. This supplemental proposed AD results from a report of cracks found during an FPI of the disc bore. We are proposing this supplemental proposed AD to prevent an uncontained failure of a second stage LPCR disc and or a third stage LPCR disc due to cracks in the bore, which could result in damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the BHTC Model 407 and Model 427 helicopters. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) ADs issued by the aviation authority of Canada. The MCAI ADs state that some hydraulic pump driveshaft assemblies may have been delivered with a missing internal plug or fastening rivet. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a loss of hydraulic pressure and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-09-51, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC225LP helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires, before further flight, determining if the ``CHIP'' detector light on the instrument panel (Vehicle Monitoring System Screen) previously illuminated. If the ``CHIP'' detector light did illuminate and it illuminated because of a metal particle on the magnetic plug of the epicyclic reduction gear module (module) of the main gearbox (MGB), or if you cannot determine from the maintenance records which chip detector caused the ``CHIP'' detector light to illuminate or whether the detector light stayed illuminated after the ``CHIP'' detector switch was turned to the ``CHIP PULSE'' setting, replacing the module with an airworthy module is required before further flight. Also required before further flight is inspecting the MGB module magnetic chip detector electrical circuit and determining whether the system is functioning properly, including whether the ``CHIP'' detector light annunciates on the instrument panel (Vehicle Monitoring System Screen). Finally, this AD requires replacing the module with an airworthy module if the ``CHIP'' detector light illuminates, stays illuminated after the ``CHIP'' detector switch is turned to the ``CHIP PULSE'' setting, and you determine that a metal particle on the module magnetic plug caused that illumination. This amendment is prompted by a mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. EASA notified us of an accident that occurred April 1, 2009 on a Eurocopter Model AS332L2 helicopter and EASA advises that the ``cause of the accident seems to be connected with degradation of the epicyclic module of the MGB, the root cause of which is still to be determined.'' The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the MGB and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action modifies Jet Route J-20 by terminating the route at the Orlando, FL, very high frequency omnidirectional range/tactical air navigation (VORTAC) facility, thereby eliminating a portion of J-20 that is no longer needed. This action will ensure the efficient use of airspace within the National Airspace System (NAS).

This notice announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Section 4(f) Evaluation for the DIFT. This action is pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq, as amended and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). The FEIS identifies the Preferred Alternative to enhance the intermodal freight terminal at the Livernois-Junction Yard in Detroit, Michigan; describes the environmental impacts of the proposed project and proposed