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

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA and other Federal Agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. Sec. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to the Tappan Zee Hudson River Crossing Project located in Rockland and Westchester Counties, New York. Those actions grant approvals for the project.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 14 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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD 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 AD requires 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; and repetitive post-repair inspections, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200 freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200 and - 300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of ram air turbine (RAT) pump failure. This AD requires inspecting the RAT pump anti-stall valve for correct setting, re-identifying the RAT pump, performing a functional ground test of the RAT, and replacing the RAT pump or the RAT assembly with a serviceable part if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct malfunction of the RAT pump, which could lead to in-flight loss of the RAT-pump pressurization, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS) LIMITED Model BAe 146 series airplanes and Model Avro 146-RJ series airplanes. This AD was prompted by hydraulic pipe ruptures in the center of the cabin resulting in passengers being contaminated with hydraulic fluid. This AD requires installing a hydraulic fluid containment system. We are issuing this AD to prevent harmful or hazardous concentrations of hydraulic fluid or hydraulic vapor from entering the passenger compartment, possibly resulting in injury to the passengers.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection of the shafts of the main landing gear (MLG) side-brace fittings to detect corrosion, and the forward and aft bushings in the left-hand and right- hand MLG side-brace fittings to detect discrepancies. The existing AD also requires corrective and related actions if necessary. This new AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for corrosion and damage of the MLG side-brace fitting, and replacing the side-brace fitting shaft with the re-designed side-brace fitting shaft of the MLG if necessary. This AD also requires eventual replacement of certain side-brace fitting shafts with the re-designed part. Replacement with a re- designed side-brace fitting shaft of the MLG is terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the side-brace fitting shaft of the main landing gear (MLG) due to corrosion. We are issuing this AD to prevent fractures of the side- brace fitting shafts of the MLG, and possible collapse of the MLG.