Department of Transportation August 24, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to the products listed above. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the shim installation between the engine strut vertical flange and bulkhead, and repair if necessary. The existing AD also requires, for certain airplanes, an inspection for cracking of the four critical fastener holes in the horizontal flange, and repair if necessary. Additionally, the existing AD requires that the existing action be performed on airplanes without conclusive records of previous inspections. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports of loose fasteners and cracks at the joint common to the aft torque bulkhead and strut-to-diagonal brace fitting and one report of such damage occurring less than 3,000 flight cycles after the last inspection. This proposed AD would reduce the repetitive inspection interval, and add repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the bulkhead, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also provide an option, for certain airplanes, to extend the repetitive intervals by also doing repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracking of the bulkhead, and repair if necessary. This proposed AD would also add an option for the high frequency eddy current inspection for cracking of the critical fastener holes, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks, loose and broken bolts, and shim migration in the joint between the aft torque bulkhead and the strut-to-diagonal brace fitting, which could result in damage to the strut and consequent separation of the strut and engine from the airplane.

This document responds to a petition for reconsideration from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers regarding a March 2010 final rule on the Federal motor vehicle safety standard for side impact protection. Today's rule makes minor changes to the standard's testing requirements and clarifies some aspects of the standard.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. This information collection involves certain organizations applying to perform certification functions on behalf of the FAA. These function may include approving data, issuing various kinds of aircraft and organization certificates, and other functions.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Airport Safety Data Program involves the collection and dissemination of civil aeronautics information.

FRA proposes amendments to the regulations implementing a provision of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 that requires certain passenger and freight railroads to install positive train control (PTC) systems. This notice proposes the removal of various regulatory requirements that require railroads to either conduct further analyses or meet certain risk-based criteria in order to avoid PTC system implementation on track segments that do not transport poison- or toxic-by-inhalation (PIH) hazardous materials traffic and are not used for intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation as of December 31, 2015.