Department of Transportation July 24, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action proposes to modify Class E airspace at Wolf Point, MT. Controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate aircraft using Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB) standard instrument approach procedures at L M Clayton Airport, Wolf Point, MT. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations at the airport.

The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002-2004 Ford Escape and 2001-2004 Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables. The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles. The petitions to open investigations are denied as moot and the petitions to conduct hearings are denied.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 22 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 are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model MD-90-30 airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) inspections for cracking on the aft side of the left and right wing rear spar lower caps at station Xrs = 164.000, further ETHF inspections if cracks are found, and repair if necessary. The NPRM also proposed repetitive post-repair inspections, and repair if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of cracks of the wing rear spar lower cap at the outboard flap, inboard drive hinge at station Xrs=164.000. This action revises that NPRM by adding repetitive post-repair inspections, and corrective action if necessary. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct cracking of the left and right rear spar lower caps, which could result in fuel leaks and damage to the wing skin or other structure, and consequent loss of the structural integrity of the wing. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.