Department of Transportation December 28, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to various proposed highway projects in the State of Texas. Those actions grant licenses, permits and approvals for the projects.

The FAA is revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Model 707 airplanes, and Model 720 and 720B series airplanes. That AD currently 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. That AD also requires an initial inspection to phase in certain repetitive AWL inspections, and repair if necessary. This AD clarifies the intended effect of the AD on spare and on-airplane fuel tank system components. This AD results from 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 fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

This NPRM proposes two housekeeping measures relating to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 217, ``Bus emergency exits and window retention and release.'' First, in response to a petition for rulemaking from the School Bus Manufacturers' Technical Council, NHTSA proposes to amend the standard to specify that the exterior release (the exterior handle) for school bus rear emergency exit doors may be located opposite the door hinges. The standard currently specifies that the exterior release for rear emergency exit doors be located in the middle of the door. Second, this NPRM would clarify FMVSS No. 217 as to the number of force applications that are required to open a window or roof emergency exit. For exits with one release mechanism, the exit shall require two force applications to open. The standard currently specifies that the ``mechanism'' shall require two force applications to open. For exits with two release mechanisms, there shall be a total of three force applications to open the exit: one force application shall be applied to each of the two mechanisms to release the mechanism, and another force shall be applied to open the exit.

This action amends Class D airspace to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, MO. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Spirit of St. Louis Airport.

This action establishes Class E airspace at Albany, TX, to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Albany Municipal Airport, Albany, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

This establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Turbomeca Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive visual inspections of certain reduction gearboxes (module M05) for oil leakage, repair if leaking, and repair of all affected modules as optional terminating action to the repetitive inspections. This AD requires the same actions, but adds five more serial numbers of the reduction gearboxes (module M05) that are affected, and adds an alternative optional terminating action to the repetitive visual inspections. This AD results from Turbomeca identifying five additional reduction gearboxes (module M05) affected, and adding an alternative optional terminating action to the repetitive visual inspections. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncommanded in- flight engine shutdown, possible engine fire, and an emergency autorotation landing.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive lubrication of the left and right main landing gear (MLG) forward trunnion pins; and an inspection for discrepancies of the transition radius, lead-in chamfer, and cross- bolt bore of the MLG forward trunnion pins, and repair or replacement if necessary. Doing the applicable inspections and repairs/ replacements, or overhauling the trunnion pins ends the repetitive lubrication requirements of this AD. For airplanes on which a certain repair is done, this AD requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the transition radius. This AD results from a report that the protective finishes on the forward trunnion pins for the left and right MLG might have been damaged during final assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking of the forward trunnion pin, which could result in fracture of the pin and consequent collapse of the MLG.