Department of Transportation July 17, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site final guidance in the form of a Circular (hereinafter ``EJ Circular'') on incorporating environmental justice principles into plans, projects, and activities that receive funding from FTA. This final guidance provides recommendations to State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, public transportation providers, and other recipients of FTA funds on how to fully engage environmental justice populations in the public transportation decision-making process; how to determine whether environmental justice populations would be subjected to disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects as a result of a transportation plan, project, or activity; and how to avoid, minimize, or mitigate these effects.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require performing repetitive operational tests of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of two in-service occurrences on Model 737-400 airplanes of total loss of boost pump pressure of the fuel feed system, followed by loss of fuel system suction feed capability on one engine, and in- flight shutdown of the engine. This action revises that NPRM by proposing to require repetitive operational tests, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct loss of the engine fuel suction feed capability of the fuel system, which in the event of total loss of the fuel boost pumps could result in dual engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the previous NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

This action reopens the comment period for a petition for exemption that was published on May 24, 2012. The relief sought in the petition for exemption would permit ICON Aircraft to incorporate a Spin-Resistant Airframe (SRA) in the ICON A5 at a weight above the current Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) definition. Independent Aircraft Inc. has requested a reopening of the comment period to allow additional time to address issues associated with an increase in weight of the ICON A5.

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

Under the provisions of Title 49, U.S.C. Section 47153(d), notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from Hancock County, Maine to waive the surplus property requirements for 0.77 acres of airport property located at Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, Trenton, Maine.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the main gearbox (MGB) for a crack. This AD is prompted by a crack in the cored passage of the MGB housing, which may be indicated by oil on the housing. These actions are intended to detect a crack in the MGB housing, which could result in loss of oil, failure of the MGB, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. That AD currently requires replacement of the existing deactivation pin, aft cascade pin bushing, and pin insert on each thrust reverser half with new, improved components. This new AD requires a dye penetrant inspection for cracking of the rivet holes of the bushing plate and repair or replacement, if necessary; and for certain airplanes, 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. This AD was prompted by 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. We are issuing 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 are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-IV, GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP airplanes. This AD requires measuring to determine paint thickness on the flight control surfaces and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This AD was prompted by reports of failure to inspect or document the paint thickness on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially having a negative impact on the flutter characteristics of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct paint thickness on flight controls, which could result in loss of control of the airplane due to flutter.