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

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes an existing collection of information for 49 CFR Part 574, Tire Identification and Recordkeeping, for which NHTSA intends to seek renewed OMB approval. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period was published on December 1, 2011 (76 FR 74845).

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 11 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the Federal vision requirement.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to nonaeronautical use and to authorize the conversion of the airport property. The proposal consists of three parcels of land containing a total of approximately 127 acres located on the east side of the airport between South Portland Avenue and Interstate Highway 44. These parcels were originally acquired under the following grants: Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Nos. 3-40-0072-03 and 3-40-0072-07 in 1990; AIP No. 3-40-0072-23 in 1992; and AIP No. 3-40-0072-24 in 1993. The land comprising these parcels is outside the forecasted need for aviation development and, thus, is no longer needed for indirect or direct aeronautical use. The Airport wishes to develop this land for compatible commercial, nonaeronautical use. The income from the conversion of these parcels will benefit the aviation community by reinvestment in the airport. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the conversion of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the conversion of the airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model 747SP series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a rudder hard-over event on a Model 747-400 series airplane, caused by a rudder power control module (PCM) manifold cracking and separating in the area of the yaw damper cavity end-cap. This condition could result in a hard-over of the rudder surface leading to an increase in pilot workload and a possible high-speed runway excursion upon landing, in the event of failure of the lower or upper rudder PCM manifold. This AD requires replacing or modifying the upper and lower rudder PCMs. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The Regulatory Agenda is a semiannual summary of all current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department. The Agenda provides the public with information about the Department of Transportation's regulatory activity. It is expected that this information will enable the public to be more aware of and allow it to more effectively participate in the Department's regulatory activity. The public is also invited to submit comments on any aspect of this Agenda.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Deutschland GMBH (ECD) Model MBB-BK 117 C-1 and C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require installing a placard that corresponds to the maximum permissible flight altitude, amending the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to revise the maximum permissible operating altitude, and inserting revised performance charts into the RFM. The proposed AD would also require a repetitive maintenance ``MAX N1 CHECK'' to determine the appropriate maximum altitudes. The AD would also require, if the engine or a fuel control unit (FCU) or module 2 or 3 is replaced, repeating the maintenance ``MAX N1 CHECK.'' Finally, the proposed AD specifies that modifying both engines would provide terminating action for the proposed AD requirements. This proposed AD is prompted by the failure of a ``few'' engines to reach the specified one-engine-inoperative (OEI) rating at altitudes above 10,000 feet. The proposed actions are intended to prevent flights at altitudes where the full OEI engine power cannot be reached and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter if an OEI operation is required.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requesting public comment on the Delaware River and Bay Authority's (DRBA) request to grant the Delaware Department of Transportation a permanent easement on 2.424 +/- acres of airport property along portions of Old Churchman's Road bordering a portion of the Airport property perimeter for roadway improvements. The 2.424 +/- acres land covered by the purposed easement will no longer be dedicated for aviation use by the New Castle Airport. The DRBA, as operator of the New Castle Airport (ILG), has proposed the extension of Taxiway ``H'' and the development of an approximate thirty-eight (38) acre parcel of airport property on the southeasterly side of Old Churchman's Road for aviation related purposes. The Thirty- Eight Acre Parcel is currently undeveloped and separated from the main airport property by Old Churchman's Road. In order to gain connectivity and access to the Thirty-Eight Acre Parcel and allow for the extension of Taxiway ``H'' and future development, 0.610 +/- acres of Old Churchman's Road must be vacated by the Delaware Department of Transportation and returned to New Castle County as fee owner for aeronautical use. Once the 0.610+/- acres of Old Churchman's Road is vacated, future road improvements to include, but not limited to, the upgrade of Old Churchman's Road from Route 13 to the easterly boundary of the Thirty-Eight Acre Parcel, the construction of a public road connecting Old Churchman's Road and New Churchman's Road at the eastern boundary of the Thirty-Eight Acre Parcel, and the construction of certain improvements along New Churchman's Road can be made on the proposed 2.424 +/- acre easement area. This will allow Delaware Department of Transportation to bring portions of Old Churchman's Road up to standards and accommodate a new connector from Old Churchman's Road to New Churchman's Road. The 2.424 +/- acre parcel is located at New Castle Airport (ILG), New Castle, DE, situated northwesterly of Dupont Highway, U.S. Route 13 and northeasterly of New Churchman's Road, Delaware State Road 58, New Castle Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware. The parcel is comprised of several small, narrow, Right-of-Way easement ``strips'' totaling 2.424 +/- acres in aggregate and is generally located along Old Churchman's Road commencing at Route 13 and running in a westerly direction to the easterly property line of the Thirty-Eight Acre Parcel. The property is currently depicted on the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) of record as airport property and consists of five sections of narrow strips of land varying 1.272 acres to 0.054 acres. The strips of land are parts of Tax Parcel No. 10-018.00-006. These areas, totaling 2.424 +/-, acres are not required for aeronautical use and can be used for road improvements.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 5 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.

These special conditions are issued for the Learjet Model LJ- 200-1A10 airplane. This airplane will have novel or unusual design features associated with systems that, directly or as a result of failure or malfunction, affect structural performance. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt fifteen individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes equipped with analog transient suppression devices (ATSDs) installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate number ST00146BO. This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of corrosion on ATSDs. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to incorporate certain limitations. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion on ATSDs, which could result in the loss of high voltage transient protection (e.g., lightning protection) in the fuel tanks and consequent fuel tank explosion and loss of the airplane.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes one collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an inspection to detect cracks and fractures of the outboard hinge fitting assemblies on the trailing edge of the inboard main flap, and follow-on and corrective actions if necessary. For certain airplanes, the existing AD also requires a one- time inspection to determine if a tool runout option has been performed in the area. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports of hinge assembly fractures found before the currently-required inspection cycle compliance times on certain airplanes. This proposed AD reduces compliance times for Model 767-400ER series airplanes. In addition, this proposed AD would revise the applicability to include an additional airplane. We are proposing this AD to prevent the inboard aft flap from separating from the wing and potentially striking the airplane, which could result in damage to the surrounding structure and potential personal injury.

Notice is hereby given of the FAA's proposed policy regarding the registration of aircraft to U.S. Citizen Trustees in situations involving Non-U.S. citizen trustors and beneficiaries.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for Superior Air Parts and Lycoming Engines fuel-injected reciprocating engines. That AD currently requires removing AVStar Fuel Systems, Inc. (AFS) fuel servos installed after May 20, 2010, if the servo contained an AFS diaphragm, part number (P/N) AV2541801 or P/N AV2541803, from certain production lots. This AD expands the applicability, and changes the compliance interval for all affected Superior Air Parts, Lycoming Engines, and Continental Motors, Inc., fuel-injected reciprocating engines. This AD was prompted by an accident involving a Piper PA32R- 301 airplane, and by the discovery of additional engines being affected by the unsafe condition since we issued the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent an in-flight engine shutdown due to a failed fuel servo diaphragm, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD was prompted by a report of an uncontained failure of a first stage turbine disk that had a metallurgical defect. This AD requires inspecting certain serial number (S/N) first stage turbine disks, part number (P/N) 3101520-1 and P/N 3107079-1. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the first stage turbine disk and damage to the airplane.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all CPAC, Inc. (type certificate formerly held by Commander Aircraft Corporation, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, and Rockwell International) Models 112, 112B, 112TC, 112TCA, 114, 114A, 114B, and 114TC airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection of the elevator spar for cracks and, if any crack is found, either replace with a serviceable elevator spar that is found free of cracks or repair/modify the elevator spar with an FAA-approved method. That AD also requires reporting to the FAA the results of the inspection. Since we issued that AD, using the data collected through the reporting requirement, we have determined there is a need for continued inspections. This new AD requires repetitive inspections of the elevator spar for cracks and, if any crack is found, either replacing with a serviceable elevator spar that is free of any cracks and/or corrosion or repairing/modifying the elevator spar with an FAA-approved procedure. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.