Department of Transportation December 3, 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA has determined that the minimum random drug and alcohol testing percentage rates for the period January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013, will remain at 25 percent of safety- sensitive employees for random drug testing and 10 percent of safety- sensitive employees for random alcohol testing.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 15 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). 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. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemptions will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these CMV drivers.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (BRIDGESTONE),\1\ has determined that certain Bridgestone brand tires manufactured between June 19, 2011 and March 17, 2012, do not fully comply with paragraph S5.5(f) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Bridgestone has filed an appropriate report dated July 19, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

Under 49 U.S.C. 10502, the Board revokes the class exemption as it pertains to the trackage rights described in Docket No. FD 35676 \1\ to permit the trackage rights to expire at midnight on December 31, 2012, in accordance with the agreement of the parties, subject to the employee protective conditions set forth in Oregon Short Line RailroadAbandonment Portion Goshen Branch Between Firth & Ammon, in Bingham & Bonneville Counties, Idaho, 360 I.C.C. 91 (1979).

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

This action corrects a final rule; technical amendment, published by the FAA in the Federal Register on October 29, 2012, that adds two waypoints to the description of area navigation (RNAV) route Q-1. This action corrects the spelling of the TOCOS waypoint.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A, 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E, 1E2, 1K, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive visual inspections for erosion caused by dust ingestion and, if necessary, cleaning of the gas generator (module M03). This new AD requires determining the engine history; performing a one-time visual inspection of the axial compressor for erosion; performing initial and repetitive cleaning of the gas generator hollow shaft; and replacing the rear bearing if the amount of dust collected during cleaning exceeds 8 grams. This AD also includes an optional terminating action. This AD was prompted by in-service experience which has shown that dust inside the gas generator hollow shaft may be found when the axial compressor wheel has less erosion than initially assessed. We are issuing this AD to prevent an unbalance of the gas generator rotating assembly, which may lead to gas generator rear bearing failure, and uncommanded engine shutdown.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT powered sailplanes. 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 unapproved rubber hoses installed in the engine fuel, oil, and cooling systems, which could lead to a system leak and result in an engine fire. 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 The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found in the fuselage skin under the aft drain mast. This AD requires a detailed inspection for cracking and corrosion of the channel and fillers adjacent to the drain mast bolts, an inspection to determine the location of the bonding strap, a measurement of the washers under the drain mast bolts, and related investigative actions and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the fuselage skin and internal support structure, which could result in uncontrolled decompression of the airplane.