Department of Transportation January 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model 767-200 and 767-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of water accumulation in the forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment. This AD requires installing cargo bulkhead supports, ceiling supports, a secondary dam support, drainage tubing, and ceiling panels to the forward lower lobe in the forward cargo compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent water from accumulating in the forward lower lobe of the forward cargo compartment and entering the adjacent electronic equipment bay, which could result in an electrical short and the potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

On March 30, 2010, NHTSA published a final rule specifying the test methods to be used for a new tire fuel efficiency consumer information program (TFECIP) to measure three aspects of tire performance: Rolling resistance, wet traction, and treadwear. The final rule did not include any of the requirements for the consumer information and education portions of the TFECIP. Instead, NHTSA announced that, based on the comments the agency had received on the proposal that preceded its final rule, it had decided to conduct additional research before issuing a new proposal for these requirements. NHTSA hopes to issue this new proposal in 2012; however, it has decided that it would be helpful to have a public workshop to obtain feedback on some issues that either have proved difficult to explore effectively in the research NHTSA has conducted or have arisen since the publication of the March 2010 final rule. NHTSA invites interested parties to submit written comments and to participate in a public workshop using the instructions set forth in this notice. As described in the Procedural Matters section of this notice, each speaker should anticipate speaking for approximately ten minutes, although we may need to adjust the time for each speaker if there is a large turnout. To facilitate discussion, NHTSA has placed documents concerning research NHTSA has finalized since the March 2010 final rule in the docket. NHTSA will consider the public comments received in developing the new proposal regarding the remaining aspects of the TFECIP.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the United States Department of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) will prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to evaluate the impacts of the proposed Delbarton to Belo portion of the King Coal Highway 2000 FEIS and the Buffalo Mountain Surface Mine Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit Application. The FHWA and USACE are joint-lead federal agencies on this project and are evaluating federal actions. FHWA is evaluating a location shift of a portion of the alignment between the West Virginia towns of Delbarton and Belo described in the 2000 FEIS and approved in the 2000 ROD. The USACE is evaluating a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Individual Permit (IP) application submitted by Consol of Kentucky, Inc. (CONSOL), for the discharge of fill material into waters of the United States (U.S.) in conjunction with the construction and operation of the Buffalo Mountain Surface Mine.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burdens. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on November 16, 2011 (76 FR 221).

This notice announces the availability of the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Proposed Policy Guidance on New Starts/Small Starts and requests your comments on it. This document compliments the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Major Capital Investment Projects by describing the detailed measures proposed for evaluation of projects seeking New Starts and Small Starts funding and the way these measures would be used in project ratings if adopted. The proposed regulations and appendix are intended to act as a framework for the project evaluation and rating process, and the proposed policy guidance fills in the details.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes with off-wing escape slide systems installed. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight loss of the off-wing escape slide. This AD requires modifying the door latch fittings and witness mark placards of the off-wing escape slide systems; and for certain airplanes, replacing the bearings and lockbase retainer in the door latch assembly, relocating and adjusting the sensor target and the sensor proximity switch, and testing to ensure positive door locking and corrective action if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD would also require installing a bumper assembly and placards. We are issuing this AD to prevent the in-flight loss of the off-wing escape slide, which could result in the unavailability of the escape slide during an emergency evacuation. Additionally, the departed slide could cause damage to the fuselage, wing, flaps, or stabilizer, which could degrade flight control.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) model A109S and AW109SP helicopters. This AD is prompted by a fatigue crack found in the left elevator assembly along the riveting of the upper skin to the fourth rib on an Agusta A109S helicopter. These actions are intended to detect a crack, which could lead to a failure of the elevator, reduced maneuverability of the helicopter, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FMCSA announces that MCSAC will hold a meeting on Monday- Thursday, February 6-9, 2012, which will include a joint meeting on Monday, February 6, 2012, with the MRB to finalize recommendations of the joint MCSAC-MRB subcommittee to the FMCSA Administrator on obstructive sleep apnea. The MCSAC will meet separately on Tuesday- Thursday, February 7-8, 2012, where it will consider issues relating to the prevention of harassment of truck and bus drivers through electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs). On Thursday, February 9, there will be a preliminary discussion of ideas and concepts the MCSAC believes the Agency should consider concerning motorcoach hours-of- service (HOS). All four days of the meeting will be open to the public. Time and Dates: The meetings will be held on Monday-Wednesday, February 6-8, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time (E.T.), and on Thursday, February 9, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., E.T. The meetings will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, 1767 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 in the Washington and Jefferson Rooms on the 2nd floor. The Hilton Alexandria Old Town is located across the street from the King Street Metro station. Copies of all MCSAC Task Statements and an agenda for the entire 4- day meeting will be made available in advance of the meeting at https:// mcsac.fmcsa.dot.gov.

This action makes several editorial corrections to the descriptions of restricted areas R-3704A and R-3704B, Fort Knox, KY.

The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the approval of the following information collection:

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 6 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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below are being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describe the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on November 17, 2011 (76 FR 71432).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces that it is reviewing a proposed noise compatibility program that was submitted for Philadelphia International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47504 (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 150 (hereinafter referred to as ``Part 150'') by the City of Philadelphia. This program was submitted subsequent to a determination by FAA that associated noise exposure maps submitted under Part 150 for Philadelphia International Airport were in compliance with applicable requirements, effective June 1, 2010, and published in the Federal Register at 75 FR 44046 (July 27, 2010). The proposed noise compatibility program will be approved or disapproved on or before July 17, 2012.

This rule 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.

FRA announced the first meeting of the Northeast Corridor Safety Committee, a Federal Advisory Committee mandated by Section 212 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), on June 6, 2011 (See 76 FR 32391). This initial meeting was postponed until further notice (See 76 FR 34139) and is now rescheduled. The Committee is made up of stakeholders operating on the Northeast Corridor, and the purpose of the Committee is to provide annual recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by test reports showing that failure of a retract port flexible hose of a main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuator could cause excessive hydraulic fluid leakage. This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection for defects and damage of the retract port flexible hose on the left and right MLG retraction actuator, and replacement of the flexible hose if needed. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct defects and damage of the retract port flexible hose which could lead to an undamped extension of the MLG and could result in MLG structural failure, leading to an unsafe asymmetric landing configuration.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Grasonville, MD, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) special Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving Queen Anne E.R. Heliport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

The Department of Transportation is directing all interested persons to show cause why it should not issue orders finding Universal Jet Aviation, Inc., fit, willing, and able, and to provide interstate and foreign charter air transportation of persons, property and mail, using one large aircraft.

In Vol. 70, No. 113/Tuesday, June 14, 2005/Notices, FHWA issued a Notice of Intent to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be prepared for the proposed Elizabeth Brady Road Extension between US 70 Business and US 70 Bypass in Orange County, North Carolina. The project is now cancelled; therefore, no further project activities will occur.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for General Electric Company (GE) CF34-10E series turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a report of heavy wear found on the seating surface of the center vent duct (CVD) (commonly referred to as center vent tube) support ring and on the inside diameter of the fan drive shaft at the mating location. This AD requires removing from service all CVD support assemblies and any fan drive shaft on the affected engines if wear is found on either the CVD support ring or the fan drive shaft. We are issuing this AD to prevent fan drive shaft failure, leading to uncontained engine failure and damage to the airplane.

The FAA hereby provides notice of intent to release certain airport properties 1.52 acres at Page Field, Fort Myers, FL from the conditions, release certain properties from all terms, conditions, reservations and restrictions of a Quitclaim Deed agreement, dated June 4, 1947, between the subject airport and the Federal Aviation Administration. The release of property will allow the Lee County Port Authority, owner of Page Field, to dispose of the property for other than aeronautical purposes. The property is located in the southwest corner of airport property, north of South Road, in Lee County, Florida. The parcel is currently designated as non-aeronautical use. The property will be released of its federal obligations to sell the property at Fair Market Value to Lee County for municipal purposes. The appraised Fair Market Value of the parcel is $64,628. Documents reflecting the Sponsor's request are available, by appointment only, for inspection at the Lee County Port Authority Offices at Fort Myers International Airport and the FAA Airports District Office.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (Goodyear) \1\ has determined that certain Goodyear commercial truck tires manufactured between April 2007 and July 2010 did not fully comply with paragraph S6.5(f) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 Pounds) and Motorcycles. Goodyear has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports (dated August 12, 2010).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2B and 2B1 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the discovery of non-conformities of certain power turbine (PT) blade fir-tree roots. This proposed AD would require removing the affected PT blades from service on or before reaching a new reduced life limit for those certain PT blades. We are proposing this AD to prevent PT blade rupture, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight engine shutdown, forced autorotation landing, or accident.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters with a certain generator control unit (GCU). This proposed AD was prompted by laboratory tests which revealed a potential fault in the overvoltage protection on a certain part-numbered GCU. This proposed AD would require replacing each affected GCU with an airworthy GCU. In addition, any affected GCU is not approved for installation on any helicopter. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the overvoltage protection of the GCU, degraded performance of the electrical power generation and distribution systems, a fire, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.