Department of Transportation December 30, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 737 airplanes. This proposed AD would incorporate design changes to improve the reliability of the cabin altitude warning system by requiring installation of a redundant switch of the cabin altitude pressure, replacing the aural warning module (AWM) with a new or reworked AWM, changing certain wire bundles, and connecting certain previously capped and stowed wires, as necessary. This proposed AD, for certain airplanes, would also require modifying the instrument panels, installing light assemblies, modifying the wire bundles, and installing a new circuit breaker, as necessary. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a lack of cabin pressurization event caused by the flightcrew not receiving an aural warning because of the failure of the cabin altitude pressure switch. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the flightcrew to recognize and react to a lack of cabin pressurization, which could result in incapacitation of the flightcrew due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen in the body), and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Model 560XL airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of jammed or stiff rudder control due to water freezing on the rudder bias cables and pulleys of the stinger. This proposed AD would require modification of the drain installation of the tailcone stinger on the aft canted bulkhead, inspections for drain holes in the forward and aft frames, and modification of the drain holes. We are proposing this AD to prevent ice accumulation on the cables and pulleys of the stinger, which could result in jamming of the rudder and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracked retract actuator fuse pins that can fail earlier than the previously determined safe life limit of the pins. A fractured retract actuator fuse pin can cause the main landing gear (MLG) to extend without restriction and attempt to lock into position under high dynamic loads. This proposed AD would require an inspection for the part number of the fuse pin, and replacement of the pin if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent structural damage to the side and drag brace lock assemblies, which could result in landing gear collapse during touchdown, rollout, or taxi.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3519 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice that it has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of approval with revision of a currently approved collection: Application to Open a Billing Account. The revision consists of a reduction in burden hours due to the agency's revised estimate of the number of annual respondents. The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register on September 30, 2011, at 76 FR 60,964. That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received. The application to open a billing account is described in detail below. Comments may now be submitted to OMB concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate; and (4) whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility.

This document responds to administrative appeals, provides clarifications, and corrects typographical and other minor errors adopted in an international harmonization final rule published January 19, 2011 (HM-215K; 76 FR 3308). The final rule amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) by revising, removing or adding proper shipping names, the hazard class of a material, packing group assignments, special provisions, packaging authorizations, packaging sections, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. The amendments were necessary to align the HMR with recent revisions to international standards for the transport of hazardous materials by all modes.

FMCSA is correcting a Final Rule that appeared in the Federal Register on December 2, 2011 (76 FR 75470), which restricted the use of hand-held mobile telephones by drivers of commercial motor vehicles. That rule was jointly issued by FMCSA and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), but this correction only affects an FMCSA regulation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of excessive in- service wear damage of the thumbnail fairing edge seal, and of the panel rub strip and skin assembly of the fan cowl. This AD requires replacement of the thumbnail fairing edge seals on both sides of the engines with Nitronic 60 stainless steel alloy seals. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fire seal, which could allow a fire in the fan compartment to spread beyond the firewall and reach the flammable fluid leakage zones, resulting in an uncontrolled fire.