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

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the 56th meeting of RTCA Special Committee 186, Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast (ADS-B)

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport, Rock Springs, WY. Decommissioning of the Rock Springs Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also would adjust the geographic coordinates of the airport.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the 88th meeting of RTCA Special Committee 159, Global Positioning System (GPS).

In response to a petition filed by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Historical Foundation, Inc. (DRGHF) on July 12, 2011, the Board is instituting a declaratory order proceeding under 49 U.S.C. 721 and 5 U.S.C. 554(e). DRGHF requests that the Board issue an order declaring that municipal zoning law is preempted with respect to DRGHF's activities on a parcel of land leased by DRGHF in Monte Vista, Colo.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model SAAB 2000 Airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that environmentally friendly de-icing agents used on certain electrical connectors and braids could cause corrosion damage. This proposed AD would require performing in certain locations a detailed inspection for corrosion of the electrical and electronics installation, and if corrosion is found repairing each affected harness braid or replacing each affected component and/or wiring harness. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion of critical system wiring, which could result in arcing and, in combination with other factors, a fire and consequent damage to the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-103, B4-203, and B4-2C airplanes, and Model B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the forward lug of the main landing gear (MLG) rib 5 aft bearing attachment. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) wing MLG rib 5 aft bearing forward lugs and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the LH and RH wing MLG rib 5 aft bearing forward lugs which, if not corrected, could affect the structural integrity of the MLG attachment, which could result in MLG collapse during landing or rollout with consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that the FHWA is officially designated as the Joint-Lead Agency pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 139(c)(1) for the Kapka Butte Sno-Park Construction project which is being studied in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model EC155B and EC155B1 helicopters with a VIP 4- seat bench. This proposed AD is prompted by the determination that the load strength of the seat attachment hardware of the seat installation does not meet certification specifications. The proposed actions are intended to prevent overloading of the seat structure at the attachment point during a hard landing or emergency landing, which could result in the VIP 4-seat bench detaching from the floor and subsequent injury to the seat occupants.

On March 8, 2011, the FAA published an interim final rule, request for comments (Amendment Nos. 21-94, 25-133, 121-354, 129-50; SFAR 111) on security considerations for lavatory oxygen systems (77 FR 12550). The interim final rule addresses a security vulnerability and is needed so the affected airplanes can continue operating until the non- compliance to airworthiness standards and operating rules is resolved. We sought public comment on the interim final rule even though it became effective upon publication. This action responds to the public comments the FAA received.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the following information collection: Transit Safety Survey.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on November 25, 2011 (76 FR 72747). No comments were received. This document describes a collection of information on nine Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSSs) and two regulations, for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval. The information collection pertains to requirements that specify certain safety precautions regarding items of motor vehicle equipment that must appear in the vehicle owner's manual.

This final rule amends the Federal motor vehicle safety standard for child restraint systems to expand its applicability to child restraints sold for children weighing up to 36 kilograms (kg) (80 pounds (lb)). This rule also amends the standard to incorporate use of a Hybrid III 10-year-old child test dummy (HIII-10C), weighing 35 kg (78 lb), in compliance tests of child restraints newly subject to the standard. In a companion document published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, NHTSA is adding specifications and qualification requirements for the HIII-10C to our regulation for anthropomorphic test devices. This rulemaking establishes performance and other requirements for child restraint systems heretofore not regulated by a safety standard, i.e., child restraints manufactured for children weighing 65 to 80 lb.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain transport category airplanes. The existing AD currently requires either activating all chemical oxygen generators in the lavatories until the generator oxygen supply is expended, or removing the oxygen generator(s); and, for each chemical oxygen generator, after the generator is expended (or removed), removing or restowing the oxygen masks and closing the mask dispenser door. Since we issued that AD, we have identified means to provide a supplemental oxygen system that does not have the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require installing a supplemental oxygen system in affected lavatories, which would terminate the requirements of the existing AD. We are proposing this AD to eliminate a hazard that could jeopardize flight safety, and to ensure that all lavatories have a supplemental oxygen supply.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comments. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on November 8, 2011 (76 FR 69320). No comments were received.

Yokohama Tire Company (YTC),\1\ has determined that certain P215/60R15 93H AVID H4S passenger car replacement tires failed to comply with paragraph S5.5.1 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. YTC has filed an appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports (dated January 21, 2010).

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all PW PW4074 and PW4077 turbofan engines. The existing AD currently requires removing the 15th stage high pressure compressor (HPC) disk within 12,000 cycles since new (CSN) or using a drawdown removal plan for disks that exceed 12,000 CSN. Since we issued that AD, we received a request from an operator that we clarify our inspection schedule for 15th stage HPC disks. This proposed AD would clarify that 15th stage HPC disks that have accumulated more than 9,685 CSN require a borescope inspection (BSI) or eddy current inspection (ECI) of the disk outer rim front rail for cracks prior to accumulating 12,000 CSN. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracks from propagating into the disk bolt holes, which could result in a failure of the 15th stage HPC disk, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all GE CF6-80C2B series turbofan engines. That AD currently requires installing software version 8.2.Q1 to the engine electronic control unit (ECU), which increases the engine's margin to flameout. This new AD requires the removal of the affected ECUs from service. This AD was prompted by two reports of engine flameout events during flight in inclement weather conditions, eight reports of engine in- flight shutdown (IFSD) events caused by dual-channel central processing unit (CPU) faults in the ECU, and four reports of engine flameout ground events. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine flameout or un- commanded engine IFSD of one or more engines, leading to an emergency or forced landing of the airplane.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is concerned about the effects of distraction due to drivers' use of electronic devices on motor vehicle safety. Consequently, NHTSA is issuing nonbinding, voluntary NHTSA Driver Distraction Guidelines (NHTSA Guidelines) to promote safety by discouraging the introduction of excessively distracting devices in vehicles. This notice details the contents of the first phase of the NHTSA Driver Distraction Guidelines. These NHTSA Guidelines cover original equipment in-vehicle device secondary tasks (communications, entertainment, information gathering, and navigation tasks not required to drive are considered secondary tasks) performed by the driver through visual-manual means (meaning the driver looking at a device, manipulating a device-related control with the driver's hand, and watching for visual feedback). The proposed NHTSA Guidelines list certain secondary, non-driving related tasks that, based on NHTSA's research, are believed by the agency to interfere inherently with a driver's ability to safely control the vehicle. The Guidelines recommend that those in-vehicle devices be designed so that they cannot be used by the driver to perform such tasks while the driver is driving. For all other secondary, non-driving-related visual-manual tasks, the NHTSA Guidelines specify a test method for measuring the impact of task performance on driving safety while driving and time-based acceptance criteria for assessing whether a task interferes too much with driver attention to be suitable to perform while driving. If a task does not meet the acceptance criteria, the NHTSA Guidelines recommend that in- vehicle devices be designed so that the task cannot be performed by the driver while driving. In addition to identifying inherently distracting tasks and providing a means for measuring and evaluating the level of distraction associated with other non-driving-related tasks, the NHTSA Guidelines contain several design recommendations for in-vehicle devices in order to minimize their potential for distraction. NHTSA seeks comments on these NHTSA Guidelines and any suggestions for how to improve them so as to better enhance motor vehicle safety.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. The existing AD requires replacement of the existing deactivation pin, aft cascade pin bushing, and pin insert on each thrust reverser half with new, improved components. Since we issued that AD, we received reports that certain airplanes require installation of a new bushing and deactivation pin with increased load carrying capability and all airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D series engines require installation of a new bracket for stowing the deactivation pin. This proposed AD would add a dye penetrant inspection for cracking of the rivet holes of the bushing plate and repair or replacement, if necessary. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require replacing the existing bushing with a new bushing and deactivation pin; and installing a new or serviceable stowage bracket for the deactivation pins on all airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D series engines. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the thrust reverser deactivation pins, which could fail to prevent a deployment of a deactivated thrust reverser in flight and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of deformation at the neck of the pressure regulator body on the oxygen cylinder and regulator assemblies (CRAs), and an electrical wiring harness in the area of the oxygen cylinder had no protective conduit sleeving. This proposed AD would require inspecting to determine if certain oxygen pressure regulators are installed and replacing oxygen CRAs containing pressure regulators that do not meet the required material properties. This proposed AD would also require inspecting for damaged wiring and repairing or replacing wiring if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent rupture of the oxygen cylinder, which in the case of cabin depressurization, oxygen would not be available when required; and to detect and correct unprotected wiring that could chafe against the oxygen system components or surrounding structure in the area, which could lead to electrical arcing and an oxygen-fed fire.

Cooper Tire & Rubber Tire Company, (Cooper) \1\, has determined that approximately 6,964 passenger car replacement tires manufactured between January 23, 2011 and March 26, 2011, do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5(f) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Cooper has filed an appropriate report dated March 31, 2011, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 17 individuals for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.