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

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the thirteenth meeting of RTCA Special Committee 217, Terrain and Airport Mapping Databases, Joint with EUROCAE WG-44.

We propose to rescind an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an inspection to determine if certain motor operated valve actuators for the fuel tanks are installed, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We issued that AD to prevent an ignition source inside the fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. Since we issued that AD, we have received new data indicating that the existing AD addresses that safety concern, but also introduces a different unsafe condition.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that various pushrods had been manufactured with tubes having the incorrect heat treatment. This AD requires replacing the affected pushrod assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of rudder control, reduced directional control of the airplane on the ground, or a jammed nose landing gear (NLG) door that could prevent the NLG from retracting or extending.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model 747-100B SUD, 747-300, 747-400, and 747-400D series airplanes; and Model 747-200B series airplanes having a stretched upper deck. The existing AD currently requires repetitively inspecting for cracking or discrepancies of the fasteners in the tension ties, shear webs, and frames at body stations 1120 through 1220; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. That AD requires modifying the frame-to-tension-tie joints at body stations 1120 through 1220 (including related investigative actions and corrective actions if necessary), which provides a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. That AD also requires new repetitive inspections after the modification, corrective actions if necessary, and additional modification requirements at a specified time after the first modification. That AD also removed certain airplanes from the applicability. That AD was prompted by reports of cracked and severed tension ties, broken fasteners, and cracks in the frame, shear web, and shear ties adjacent to tension ties for the upper deck. This AD revises the existing AD by adding repetitive open hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking in the forward and aft tension tie channels, and repair if necessary. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires a one-time angle inspection to determine if the angle is installed correctly, and re-installation if necessary; and a one-time open hole HFEC inspection at the fastener locations where the tension tie previously attached to the frame prior to certain modifications, and repair if necessary. This AD also, for the Stage 2 inspections, reduces the initial compliance times for those inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the tension ties, shear webs, and frames of the upper deck, which could result in rapid decompression and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Glasflugel Models Standard Libelle-201B, Club Libelle 205, Mosquito, and Kestrel gliders. 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 corrosion damage to the elevator control rod that could lead to failure of the elevator control rod, possibly resulting in loss of control of the glider. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A300 B4-103, B4-203, and B4-2C airplanes, and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the forward lug of the main landing gear (MLG) rib 5 aft bearing attachment. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the left-hand (LH) and right- hand (RH) wing MLG rib 5 aft bearing forward lugs, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the LH and RH wing MLG rib 5 aft bearing forward lugs, which could affect the structural integrity of the MLG attachment, resulting in MLG collapse during landing or rollout with consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a passenger oxygen pipe at frame 10 was chafing against the forward lavatory rear structure, raising the risk of the oxygen pipe developing a crack. This AD requires modifying the routing of and, if necessary, replacing, the oxygen pipe. We are issuing this AD to prevent rupture of the oxygen pipe which, in case of a cabin depressurization, would impair operation of the passenger oxygen distribution system.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks of the underwing longeron fittings in the wing center section. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the underwing longeron fitting for cracking, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracking, which could result in loss of the primary load path between the fuselage and the wing box, and consequent catastrophic damage to the wing box and failure of the wing.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting these information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 12 individuals for exemption from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals to qualify as drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 17 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.

The NHTSA announces a meeting of NEMSAC to be held in the Metropolitan Washington, DC, area. This notice announces the date, time, and location of the meeting, which will be open to the public. The purpose of NEMSAC is to provide a nationally recognized council of emergency medical services representatives and consumers to provide advice and recommendations regarding Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to DOT's NHTSA and to the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS).

The purpose of this NOI is to update the notice issued in the Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 112, Monday, June 12, 2006, Notices. The FHWA and WisDOT are updating this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is continuing to be prepared for proposed transportation improvements on the United States Highway (US) 51 corridor in the Madison Urban Area, Dane County, Wisconsin. The general location is between U.S. 12/18 (Madison South Beltline Highway) and Wisconsin State Highway (WIS) 19. The EIS is being prepared in conformance with 40 CFR 1500 and FHWA regulations. The NOI is being updated to reflect the current status of the environmental study, changes in contact information, and significant coordination efforts etc that have been completed since the revised NOI was issued in June 2006. The project was placed on ``Hold'' by the WisDOT in the Summer of 2010 because it was determined the type and cost of the improvements being considered met the revised definition of a WisDOT ``Major Project'' requiring approval by the Wisconsin Legislature's Transportation Projects Commission (TPC). In November 2011, the TPC approved the EIS study for the project as part of WisDOT's Majors Program, and efforts to continue with the EIS study were initiated in April 2012. The Project limits, Purpose & Need, and Range of Alternatives being evaluated have not changed

This document proposes to clarify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations that prescribe the format and contents of certification labels that manufacturers are statutorily required to affix to motor vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States. The proposal would require specified language on the certification labels for certain types of vehicles.

This action extends the closing and award dates for a Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center that was published on July19, 2012, 77 FR 36034. USDOT OSDBU is extending the closing date to allow eligible entities time to adequately submit a proposal.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes; and certain Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires replacing the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo doors for certain airplanes, and replacing the control switches of cargo doors 1 and 2 for certain airplanes. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that additional airplanes are affected by the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require replacing the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo doors of Model 747 airplanes; and the control switches of cargo doors 1 and 2 of Model 757 airplanes; this proposed AD also adds airplanes to the applicability and revises the initial compliance times. We are proposing this AD to prevent injuries to persons and damage to the airplane and equipment.

This action amends Class E airspace at Sweetwater, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Avenger Field Airport. The airport's geographic coordinates are adjusted and the airport name changed. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

FMCSA announces that MCSAC will hold a meeting on Monday- Wednesday, August 27-29, 2012. On Monday, August 27, 2012, MCSAC will be provided with briefings on the major motor carrier safety provisions of the recently enacted Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) [Pub. L. 112-140] surface transportation act and the Agency's Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program and assigned a new task concerning CSA. Additionally, the MCSAC will establish a subcommittee on CSA to provide concepts, ideas, and recommendations on the program. On Monday afternoon, the Cross-Border Trucking Pilot Subcommittee will convene for a status update from the Agency. On Tuesday, August 28, 2012, MCSAC will be given a new task to provide ideas and concepts concerning the Regulatory Flexibility Act Section 610 review process and will hear presentations on that topic. Wednesday morning, August 29, 2012, will be reserved for MCSAC's Motorcoach Hours-of-Service (HOS) subcommittee. All three days of the meeting will be open to the public.

This notice announces the Twentieth Public Meeting of members of the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network. CIREN is a collaborative effort to conduct research on crashes and injuries at six Level I Trauma Centers across the United States linked by a computer network. The current CIREN model utilizes two types of centers, medical and engineering. Medical centers are based at Level I Trauma Centers that admit large numbers of people injured in motor vehicle crashes. These teams are led by trauma surgeons and emergency physicians and also include a crash investigator and project coordinator. Engineering centers are based at academic engineering laboratories that have experience in motor vehicle crash and human injury research. Engineering teams partner with trauma centers to enroll crash victims into the CIREN program. Engineering teams are led by mechanical engineers, typically trained in the area of impact biomechanics. Engineering teams also include trauma/emergency physicians, a crash investigator, and a project coordinator. Either type of team typically includes additional physicians and/or engineers, epidemiologists, nurses, and other researchers. The CIREN process combines prospective data collection with professional multidisciplinary analysis of medical and engineering evidence to determine injury causation in every crash investigation conducted. Researchers can review data and share expertise, which may lead to a better understanding of crash injury mechanisms and the design of safer vehicles. The six centers will give presentations on current research based on CIREN data. Topics include thoraco-lumbar fractures in frontal crashes, risk of pelvic fractures in motor vehicle collisions, trauma system adoption of Advanced Automatic Collision Notification (AACN) Systems, lower extremity injury patterns sustained in frontal crashes, evaluation of brain lesion location sustained in motor vehicle crashes, and major vascular injuries. The final agenda will be posted to the CIREN Web site that can be accessed by going to the NHTSA homepage https://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/, click on Vehicle Safety Research on the right side of the top toolbar, and then click on Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) in the box on the left. The agenda will be posted one week prior to the meeting.

FMCSA provides notice of the Agency's policy concerning review of applications for operating authority registration, and suspension, amendment or revocation of existing operating authority registration. Motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders must demonstrate a willingness and ability to comply with applicable statutes and regulations in order to obtain and maintain operating authority registration. This notice outlines FMCSA's policy for evaluating motor carriers', brokers' and freight forwarders' willingness and ability to comply with these requirements.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Ontonagon, MI. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Ontonagon County- Schuster Field Airport. Also, this action would rename the airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Guthrie, IA. Decommissioning of the Guthrie Center non-directional radio beacon (NDB) at Guthrie County Regional Airport, Guthrie, IA, has made this action necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Geographic coordinates of the airport would also be adjusted.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 48 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.