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

This action announces an FAA determination that 10 p.m. to 10:59 p.m. no longer is a low demand period at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). As a result of this determination, the FAA will allocate available slots in that period on a temporary basis subject to recall, and the FAA may conduct a lottery in the future to allocate available slots in that period.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces May 1, 2012, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA whether or not it will use its fiscal year 2012 entitlement funds available under Section 47105(f) of Title 49, United States Code, to accomplish Airport Improvement Program (AIP)-eligible projects that the sponsor previously identified through the Airports Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) process during the preceding year. This notice must address all entitlement funds apportioned for fiscal year 2012. After Friday, August 10, 2012, the FAA will carry over all remaining entitlement funds, and the funds will not be available again until at least the beginning of fiscal year 2013. This notification requirement does not apply to non- primary airports covered by the block-grant program.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a partial Buy America waiver is appropriate for the obligation of Federal-aid Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) improvement program funds for the purchase of eight 2012 Ford Escape hybrid four- wheel drive vehicles by Merced County, CA.

Under this notice, the FAA announces the submission deadline of May 10, 2012, for Winter 2012-2013 flight schedules at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Slot Guidelines. The deadline coincides with the schedule submission deadline for the IATA Slot Conference for the Winter 2012-2013 scheduling season.

This NPRM proposes to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, ``Seat belt assembly anchorages,'' to specify a new force application device for use as a testing interface to transfer loads onto the seat belt anchorage system during compliance tests of anchorage strength. The device represents a human torso and pelvis. The new device comes in two sizes, one representative of a mid-size adult male, and the other of a small occupant. We propose both sizes be used in FMVSS No. 210. We believe that the devices provide a consistent test configuration and load path to the seat belt assembly anchorages. We are proposing this amendment because the devices are significantly easier to use than the current body blocks.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A340-500 and Model -600 series airplanes. This AD requires performing repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections of the external radius on upper horizontal cruciform fitting at frame (FR) 47 on the left- and right-hand sides for cracks, and repairing the cracks if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports that during fatigue testing, damages occurred in the external radius on the upper horizontal cruciform fitting at FR47 on the left- and right-hand sides. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-500, and A340-600 series airplanes. This AD requires a detailed inspection for cracked and missing nuts, and replacement of cracked or missing nuts with new nuts having the same part number. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked nuts detected during production. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracked or missing nuts, and replace all affected nuts in multiple locations (including fuel tank areas) that could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A340-600 series airplanes. This AD requires a detailed inspection for abnormalities of the ball lock retainer on the off-wing ramp slides; for closure of the soft cover; for full engagement of the slide release pin; for broken, missing, and improper placement of the safety tie thread on the slide release pin; and for proper functioning of the vent valve; and replacement of the off-wing ramp slides if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight loss of the blow-out panel and the slide unit from a right-hand off-wing ramp- slide. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct abnormalities of the ball lock retainer, if the soft cover is open, if the slide pin release is not engaged or the safety tie thread is missing, broken, or improperly placed and the vent valve is not functioning properly, which could result in in-flight loss of the off-wing ramp slide.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Models PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC- 6/350-H2, PC-6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2- H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as loose elevator and rudder hinge bolts caused by incorrect torquing and locking of the bolts, which could lead to in-flight failure of the elevator or rudder attachment. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Morgan Olson, LLC (Morgan Olson) \1\ has determined that certain model year 2009, 2010, and 2011 Morgan Olson walk-in van-type trucks having a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 4,536 kg and manufactured between September 1, 2009, and January 18, 2012, do not fully comply with paragraph S4.2.1 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 206, Door Locks and Door Retention Components. Morgan Olson has filed an appropriate report dated January 19, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-76C helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by a bird-strike to the windshield that resulted in unintended movement of the engine control levers from the forward position and towards the flight-idle position, which reduced power on both engines. These actions are intended to prevent unintended movement of the ECLs, resulting in main rotor speed decay and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model SA341G helicopters. This proposed AD is prompted by an analysis and tests performed by the manufacturer that indicate that the life limit of the rotating star should be 12,000 hours time-in-service (TIS). The proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the rotating star and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

FRA announces the forty-sixth meeting of the RSAC, a Federal Advisory Committee that develops railroad safety regulations through a consensus process. The RSAC meeting topics will include opening remarks from the FRA Administrator, and status reports will be provided by the Track Safety Standards, Critical Incident, Dark Territory, Fatigue Management, Risk Reduction, Electronic Device Distraction, and Passenger Safety Working Groups. This agenda is subject to change, including the possible addition of further proposed tasks under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10, DC-10- 10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC- 10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. The existing AD currently requires installing or replacing with improved parts, as applicable, the bonding straps between the metallic frame of the fillet and the wing leading edge ribs, on both the left and right sides of the airplane. The existing AD also requires, for certain airplanes, repositioning or replacing two bonding straps, doing a bonding- resistance check and an inspection to determine correct installation of certain bonding straps, and applicable corrective actions. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that additional actions are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability and retain the requirements of the existing AD. This proposed AD would also require, depending on the airplane configuration, installing new braided bonding straps, inspecting to determine if a certain strap is installed and replacing with or installing a braided bonding strap if necessary, measuring the electrical resistance of the bonding straps, verifying that brackets have an acceptable fillet seal, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks in the event of a severe lightning strike, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of a new information collection that is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Department of Transportation is issuing a revised environmental justice strategy, which sets forth DOT's commitment to identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects of agency policies and activities on minority and low-income populations. This strategy is published as a final document; however, it is a revision of a previous version published in 1995, and may be adjusted periodically in the future to reflect new insights acquired through implementation and changing social and technological conditions. The strategy has been revised in response to an interagency Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice (EJ MOU), confirming the importance of addressing environmental justice considerations in agency programs, policies, and activities. The strategy identifies actions the Department intends to take to implement Executive Order 12898, ``Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations'', signed by President Clinton on February 11, 1994. This Executive Order directs agencies to identify and address disproportionately high and adverse impacts on minority and low-income populations with respect to human health and environment. The EJ MOU acknowledges the continued importance of EJ and participating Federal agencies pledged to review and update existing EJ strategies. This updated EJ strategy reflects DOT's continued commitment to EJ principles and to integrating those principles into DOT programs, policies, and activities. The revised strategy is publicly available on the DOT Web site at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmentaljustice/ejat dot/ dotejstrategy/.

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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a design review which revealed the absence of electrical insulation material between a wing or integral center wing tank (ICWT) fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) probe and the bottom of the tank structure. This condition, if not corrected, could, under certain conditions, result in an ignition source in the tank vapor space, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. This proposed AD would require, for all airplanes, applying sealant below the FQIS probes in the wing tanks; and for certain airplanes, applying sealant below the FQIS probes in the ICWT. This proposed AD would also require revising the aircraft maintenance program by revising the fuel airworthiness limitations and incorporating critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs). We are proposing this AD to prevent an ignition source in the tank vapor space, which could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking of certain fuel access panels of the outer wing. This proposed AD would require an external inspection, and if necessary an internal inspection, to determine if certain fuel access panels are installed, and replacement if necessary; optional repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuel access panels, and replacement if necessary, would defer the internal inspection; and eventual replacement of affected fuel access panels with new panels. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of fuel access panels, which could result in arcing and ignition of fuel vapor in the outer wing fuel tank during a lightning strike.

This action makes a minor editorial change to the time of designation for restricted areas R-5801 and R-5803, Chambersburg, PA, to remove the abbreviation ``EST.'' This amendment does not change the dimensions of, or activities conducted within, the restricted areas.

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 reinstatement of an expired approved collection. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 27, 2011 (76 FR 4992). The Bureau of Economic Analysis at the Department of Commerce submitted comments in support of the continuation of the data collection.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400F, and 747SR series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of broken and damaged latch pin retention bolts of the main deck side cargo door (MDSCD), latch pin migration, and broken latch pin fittings. This proposed AD would require various repetitive inspections of the MDSCD latch pin fittings, measuring the latch pin, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; and modifying the latch pin fittings and installing new latch pins and latch pin fasteners. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of the cargo door and rapid depressurization of the airplane.