Department of Transportation May 31, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document corrects an error that appeared in Docket No. NM438, Special Conditions No. 25-423-SC, which were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2011. The error resulted in the omission of two paragraphs of text in The Special Conditions section.

The OSDBU invites the public to comment about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves the use of the SBTRC Regional Field Offices Intake Form (DOT F 4500) and the SBTRC Regional Field Offices Quarterly Report Form (DOT F 4502). On January 31, 2012, OSDBU published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register (Vol. 77, No. 20) (Formerly Docket Number DOT-OST-2008-0182), informing the public of OSDBU's intention to extend an approved information collection. The collection involves the use of the Regional Field Offices Intake Form (DOT F 4500), which documents the type of assistance provided to each small business that is enrolled in the program database. The use of the Regional Field Office Quarterly Report Form (DOT F 4502) highlights activities such as counseling, marketing, meetings/conferences, and services to businesses as completed during the quarter. The Quarterly Report Form provides a more composite and comprehensive review of the Field Offices over a longer time frame. The information will be used to ascertain whether the program is providing services to its constituency, the small business community, and is done so in a fair and equitable manner. The information collected is necessary to determine whether small businesses are participating in DOT funded and DOT assisted opportunities. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes; and all Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate new limitations for fuel tank systems. Since we issued that AD, Airbus has issued more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would revise the maintenance program to incorporate revised fuel maintenance and inspection tasks, and add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting for scribe lines in the skin along lap joints, butt joints, certain external doublers, and the large cargo door hinges, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that scribe lines could occur where external decals are installed or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, or external doublers. This proposed AD would add inspecting for scribe lines where external decals have been applied or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, and external doublers, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin. Undetected fatigue cracks can grow and cause sudden decompression of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 800 series turbofan engines. This AD requires removal from service of certain critical engine parts based on reduced life limits. This AD was prompted by RR adding a new flight profile and an associated set of life limits. We are issuing this AD to prevent the failure of critical rotating parts, which could result in uncontained failure of the engine and damage to the airplane.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(1)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project: the U.S. 60 Capacity and Safety Improvement Project between Morganfield and Henderson in Union and Henderson Counties, Kentucky (KYTC Item Nos. 2-79, 2-122, 2-123).

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada, under international agreement, jointly publish and presently administer the St. Lawrence Seaway Regulations and Rules (Practices and Procedures in Canada) in their respective jurisdictions. Under agreement with the SLSMC, the SLSDC is amending the joint regulations by updating the Seaway Regulations and Rules in various categories. The proposed changes will update the following sections of the Regulations and Rules: Condition of Vessels; Seaway Navigation; Dangerous Cargo; Information and Reports; General; and, Navigation Closing Procedures. These proposed amendments are necessary to take account of updated procedures and will enhance the safety of transits through the Seaway. Several of the proposed amendments are merely editorial or for clarification of existing requirements.