Department of Transportation 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Boeing Model 777 airplanes. That AD currently requires, for the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer, repetitive detailed inspections for discrepancies, repetitive lubrication of the ballnut and ballscrew, repetitive measurements of the freeplay between the ballnut and the ballscrew, and corrective action if necessary. This new AD revises the compliance times of the existing AD. This AD results from a report of extensive corrosion of a ballscrew in the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer on a Boeing Model 757 airplane, which is similar in design to the ballscrew on Model 777 airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent an undetected failure of the primary load path for the ballscrew in the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent wear and failure of the secondary load path, which could lead to loss of control of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this AD requires deactivating or modifying the wiring to the outboard landing lights, until the wire bundles and electrical connectors have been replaced. For all airplanes, this AD also requires inspecting for any broken, damaged, or missing fairleads, grommets, and wires in the four electrical junction boxes of the main wheel well, and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires replacing certain wire bundles for the landing lights and fuel shutoff valves, and related investigative, other specified, and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires replacing of certain electrical connectors and backshell clamps. This AD results from reports of uncommanded engine shutdowns and burned and damaged wire bundles associated with the outboard landing lights and engine fuel shutoff valves. This AD also results from reports of damaged and missing grommets and broken and damaged fairleads in the electrical junction boxes of the main wheel well. We are issuing this AD to prevent a hot short between the outboard landing light and fuel shutoff valve circuits, which could result in an uncommanded engine shutdown. We are also issuing this AD to prevent corrosion of the electrical connectors of the wing rear spars, which could result in short circuits and consequent incorrect functioning of airplane systems needed for safe flight and landing.

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:

This notice contains a summary of certain petitions 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 any petition or its final disposition.

This action will modify Class E airspace at Twin Falls, ID. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using a new VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range (VOR) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Twin Falls Joslin FieldMagic Valley Regional, Twin Falls, ID. This will improve the safety of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft executing the new VOR SIAP at Twin Falls Joslin FieldMagic Valley Regional, Twin Falls, ID.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at Chuathbaluk, AK. One Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) is being developed for the Chuathbaluk Airport at Chuathbaluk, AK. Adoption of this proposal would result in creating Class E airspace upward from 700 feet (ft.) above the surface at the Chuathbaluk Airport, Chuathbaluk, AK.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking approval of the following information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

This document corrects errors in the FAA regulations regarding amateur rockets. A section concerning unmanned rocket activities was inadvertently placed in the subpart for unmanned balloon activities. This correction moves that section to the correct subpart, so all the information relating to unmanned rocket activities will appear in the same subpart. Additionally, we are making minor editorial corrections.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a high frequency eddy current inspection for cracks of certain fastener holes, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD would also require repetitive replacements of the upper chords, straps (or angles), and radius fillers of certain upper deck floor beams, and, for any replacement that is done, detailed and open-hole HFEC inspections for cracks of the modified upper deck floor beams, and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report from the manufacturer that the accomplishment of certain existing inspections, repairs, and modifications is not adequate to ensure the structural integrity of the affected 7075 series aluminum alloy upper deck floor beam upper chords on airplanes that have exceeded certain thresholds. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the upper chords and straps (or angles) of the floor beams, which could lead to failure of the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability, rapid decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

This action amends Class E airspace at Port Clinton, OH. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Carl R. Keller Field Airport, Port Clinton, OH. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Carl R. Keller Field Airport.

This action establishes twenty two Area Navigation (RNAV) routes, and revises fourteen RNAV routes, in the State of Alaska. Additionally, this action removes four existing routes that are no longer required. Q & T-routes are Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes, based on RNAV, for use by aircraft having instrument flight rules (IFR)-approved Global Positioning System (GPS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The FAA is taking this action to enhance safety and to improve the efficient use of the navigable airspace in Alaska.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by Ohio State University for Ohio State University Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501, et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR Part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series airplanes. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require modifying the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) densitometer. For certain other airplanes, this proposed AD would require replacing the existing hot short protector (HSP) on the FQIS densitometer with a new HSP. The proposed AD would also require revising the Airworthiness Limitations (AWL) section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate AWL No. 28-AWL-22. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent the center tank fuel densitometer from overheating and becoming a potential ignition source inside the center fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a center fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks to revise the Pipeline Safety Regulations to improve the reliability and utility of data collections from operators of natural gas pipelines, hazardous liquid pipelines, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. These revisions will enhance PHMSA's ability to: understand, measure, and assess the performance of individual operators and industry as a whole; integrate pipeline safety data to allow a more thorough, rigorous, and comprehensive understanding and assessment of risk; and expand and simplify existing electronic reporting by operators. These revisions will improve both the data and the analyses PHMSA relies on to make critical, safety-related decisions, and will facilitate PHMSA's allocation of inspection and other resources based on a more accurate accounting of risk.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is correcting inadvertent errors that appeared in a previously-published final rule. That final rule amended FAA regulations that require operators and manufacturers of transport category airplanes to take steps that, in combination with other required actions, should greatly reduce the chances of a catastrophic fuel tank explosion. In that final rule, erroneous compliance dates were shown. This document changes those compliance dates accordingly. It also corrects other non-substantive errors that have come to our attention.

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, 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-2009-0062 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 46 U.S.C. 12121 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

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces the cancellation of all actions related to the license to own, construct and operate a deepwater port issued to Gulf Landing LLC on April 29, 2005. Pursuant to Section 1503(h) of the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended, a deepwater port license may remain in effect until such time as it is either suspended or revoked by the Secretary of Transportation or surrendered by the licensee. The action is taken in response to the applicant's decision to surrender its Deepwater Port License.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GE CF6-80C2B5F turbofan engines. This AD requires removing certain part number (P/N) high-pressure compressor rotor (HPCR) stages 11-14 spool/ shafts before they exceed a new, reduced life limit. This AD results from an internal GE audit that compared the life limited parts certification documentation to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the instructions for continuing airworthiness (ICA). We are issuing this AD to prevent HPCR stages 11-14 spool/shaft fatigue cracks caused by exceeding the life limit, which could result in a possible uncontained failure of the HPCR spool/shaft and damage to the airplane.

The FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) revision of a current information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on April 23, 2009, vol. 74, no. 77, page 18605-18606. This request is a change to FAA Form 5100-127, Operating and Financial Summary, where we will now collect limited statistical information on airport operations. This new information will add 10 lines to the Form and 1 hour to the Forms preparation time. Large, medium, and small hub commercial service airports will be asked to provide this information. A copy of the modified Form is available for public inspection at FAA Docket-2009-0257. This notice is supplementary to the notice of this Airport Grants Program revision published in the Federal Register on February 3, 2009 [74 FR 5965]. Additionally, since that notice of revision, the burden for this collection has increased due to new requirements imposed by the American Recovery and Reimbursement Act of 2009 (ARRA).

This notice rescinds the previous Notice of Intent (NOI) published on November 24, 2006 (71 FR 67955) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed South Branch Parkway project in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

This action establishes Class D airspace at Fort Worth Spinks Airport, Fort Worth, TX. Establishment of an air traffic control tower at Fort Worth Spinks Airport has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Fort Worth Spinks Airport.

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

This action amends Class E airspace at Ord, NE. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Evelyn Sharp Field Airport, Ord, NE. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of the airport to coincide with the FAA's National Aeronautical Charting Office. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at Evelyn Sharp Field Airport.