Department of Transportation November 9, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces changes in the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations program (Tribal Transit Program) in accordance with the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) (Pub. L. 112-141), which authorizes the program for Federal fiscal years (FY) 2013 and 2014. MAP-21 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 6, 2012 and became effective on October 1, 2012. This notice responds to the new legislation under the Tribal Transit Program by: (1) Introducing FTA's consultation process and schedule for implementing changes due to MAP-21; (2) describing and seeking comment on the methodology for the formula allocation and the assumptions made regarding who is eligible for the formula program; (3) seeking comment on the terms and conditions for the formula and discretionary components of the program; and (4) seeking comments on how the discretionary program resources should be allocated.

This action proposes special conditions for the Embraer S.A. Model EMB-550 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the use of an Automatic Takeoff Thrust Control System (ATTCS) during go-around. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus 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); and Model A310 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by events of excessive rudder pedal inputs and consequent high loads on the vertical stabilizer on several airplanes. This AD requires either incorporating a design change to the rudder control system and/ or other systems, or installing a stop rudder inputs warning (SRIW) modification. We are issuing this AD to prevent loads on the vertical stabilizer that exceed ultimate design loads, which could cause failure of the vertical stabilizer and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Aeronautical Accessories, Inc. (AAI) high landing gear forward crosstube assemblies (crosstubes) installed on Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB412 and AB412EP; and Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters during production or based on a supplemental type certificate (STC). This AD requires counting and recording the total number of landings for the crosstubes, and inspecting the crosstubes and replacing them if a crack or other damage exists. This AD was prompted by two reports from the field of failed crosstubes. The actions are intended to prevent failure of a crosstube, collapse of the landing gear, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of an in-service incident where the propeller de- icing system became unavailable due to burnt/chafed wires within the alternating current contactor box (ACCB). This AD requires inspection for chafing, damage, and loose wiring within an ACCB and repair if necessary; and requires rework and re-identification of the wiring installation within each ACCB. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged, chafed, or loose wiring within an ACCB, which could affect the operation of the windshield heater, ice detector, angle of attack (AOA) vane heater, pilot probe heater, engine intake heater, or propeller de-icing system, and subsequently adversely affect the airplane's flight characteristics in icing conditions.