Department of Transportation 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the following new information collections:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of in-flight fracture of the right windshield (window 1) on the flight deck and multiple reports of electrical arcs at the terminal blocks of the flight deck windshields resulting in smoke and fire. This AD requires repetitive inspections of electrical heat terminals on the left and right windshields for damage, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD allows replacing an affected windshield with a windshield equipped with different electrical connections, which would terminate the repetitive inspections for that windshield. We are issuing this AD to prevent smoke and fire in the flight deck, which can lead to loss of visibility, and injuries to or incapacitation of the flightcrew.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and -400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of integrated display unit (IDU) malfunctions and mode control panel (MCP) malfunctions. This AD requires installing new software, replacing the duct assembly with a new duct assembly, making wiring changes, and routing certain wire bundles. We are issuing this AD to prevent IDU malfunctions, which could affect the ability of the flightcrew to read primary displays for airplane attitude, altitude, or airspeed, and consequently reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D, 1D1, 1E2, 1K1, 1S, and 1S1 turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a finding that the engine's tachometer unit cycle counting feature is unreliable. This proposed AD would require daily post-flight checks of the engine tachometer's unit cycle counting feature. This proposed AD would also require ground-run functional checks within every 1,000 operating hours. This proposed AD was prompted by detailed analysis and review of the accuracy of the engine's tachometer cycle counting feature. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained engine failure and damage to the helicopter.

FRA announces the forty-eighth meeting of the RSAC, a Federal Advisory Committee that develops railroad safety regulations through a consensus process. The RSAC meeting topics will include opening remarks from the FRA Administrator and status reports will be provided by the Fatigue Management, Rail Failure, and Risk Reduction Working Groups. Status reports will also be provided by the Engineering and System Safety Task Forces. This agenda is subject to change, including the possible addition of further proposed tasks under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA).

As authorized by 46 U.S.C. 12121, the Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to grant waivers of the U.S.-build requirement of the coastwise laws under certain circumstances. A request for such a waiver has been received by MARAD. The vessel, and a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

FRA proposes amendments to regulations implementing a requirement of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 that certain passenger and freight railroads install positive train control (PTC) systems. The proposal would revise the regulatory provisions related to the de minimis exception to the installation of PTC systems generally, and more specifically, its application to yard-related movements. The proposal would also revise the existing regulations related to en route failures of a PTC system and discontinuances of signal systems once a PTC system is installed and make additional technical amendments to regulations governing grade crossing warning systems and signal systems, including PTC systems.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. That supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) proposed an inspection to determine if certain angle of attack (AOA) probes are installed, and replacement of any affected AOA probe. That SNPRM was prompted by reports of oil residue between the stator and the rotor parts of the position resolvers of the AOA vane, which was a result of incorrect removal of the machining oil during the manufacturing process of the AOA resolvers. This action revises that SNPRM by clarifying the affected parts. We are proposing this AD to prevent erroneous AOA information and consequent delayed or non-activation of the AOA protection systems which, during flight at a high angle of attack, could result in reduced control of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the SNPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

To enhance safety, the FAA proposes to clarify Grant Assurance No. 19, ``Operation and Maintenance,'' which is required of an airport sponsor as a condition of receiving a development grant under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). This clarification would require non-certificated, federally obligated airports that, after the effective date of this Federal Register Notice, accept a new airport development grant funded under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), or accept a transfer of land under the Surplus Property Act for airport purposes (``Subject Airports''), to conduct Wildlife Hazard Site Visits (WHSVs) or Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHAs). Non-certificated airports are airports that do not have a Part 139 certificate, and may include both commercial service airports as well as non-primary airports that serve mostly general aviation traffic. The Secretary of Transportation is required to provide notice and comment in the Federal Register and an opportunity for the public to comment upon proposals to modify the assurances or add new assurances.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of flight crew failure to activate air data probe heat. This AD requires modifying the anti-icing system for the angle of attack sensor, the total air temperature, and the pitot probes. We are issuing this AD to prevent ice from forming on air data system sensors and consequent loss of or misleading airspeed indication on all airspeed indicating systems, which could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated (Erickson) Model S-64F helicopters. This AD requires inspecting for cracking or working rivets in each left and right splice fitting (transition fitting), the pylon bulkhead assembly-canted (bulkhead assembly), and the pylon steel strap (strap). This AD was prompted by several reports of cracking in the transition fittings, the bulkhead assembly, and the pylon. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect cracking in the rotary rudder boom or pylon due to fatigue, and to prevent failure from static overload and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a Draft Written Re-Evaluation for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for Theodore Francis Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. Airworthiness Directives are regulations issued to require correct corrective action to correct unsafe conditions in aircraft, engines, propellers, and appliances. Reports of inspections are often needed when emergency corrective action is taken to determine if the action was adequate to correct the unsafe condition. The respondents are aircraft owners and operators.

This document corrects a notice appearing in the Federal Register on December 3, 2012 (77 FR 71,680).

PHMSA has determined that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 25 percent during calendar year 2013. Operators are reminded that drug and alcohol testing information must be submitted for contractors performing or ready to perform covered functions. For calendar year 2012 reporting, PHMSA will not attempt to mail the user name and password for the Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) to operators, but will make the user name and password available in the PHMSA Portal (https:// portal.phmsa.dot.gov/pipeline).

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Model 525 airplanes equipped with certain part number (P/N) air conditioning (A/C) compressor motors. That NPRM proposed to require inspection of the number of hours on the A/C compressor hour meter, inspection of the logbook, and replacement of the brushes on certain P/N A/C compressor motors or deactivation of the A/C system until replacement of the brushes and also require reporting of aircraft information related to the replacement of the brushes. That NPRM was prompted by reports of smoke and/or fire in the tailcone caused by brushes wearing beyond their limits on the A/C motor. This action revises that NPRM by providing correct steps for deactivation of the A/C compressor motor. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to correct the unsafe condition on these products. 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.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company Models 172R and 172S airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of chafing of a new configuration of the fuel return line assembly, which was caused by the fuel return line assembly rubbing against the right steering tube assembly during rudder pedal actuation. This proposed AD would require you to install the forward and aft fuel return line support clamps and brackets; inspect for a minimum clearance between the fuel return line assembly and the steering tube assembly and clearance between the fuel return line assembly and the airplane structure; and, if any damage is found, replace the fuel return line assembly. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The Department of Transportation is directing all interested persons to show cause why it should not issue an order finding Boutique Air, Inc., fit, willing, and able, and awarding it commuter air carrier authority to conduct scheduled commuter service.

PHMSA is issuing an Advisory Bulletin to remind operators of gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities of their responsibilities, under Federal integrity management regulations, to perform evaluations of their integrity management programs using meaningful performance metrics.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for the use of non-domestic Motor and Machinery Brakes; 16''-Diameter Motor Brakes, weight 340 lb, and 13''-Diameter Machinery Brakes, weight 250 lb, for rehabilitation of Murray Morgan Bridge, project STP-STPUL-3268(003), and South Park Bridge Replacement, project TIGERII-BRM-STPL- 1491(002), in the State of Washington.

This notice provides information regarding the FHWA's finding that a Buy America waiver is appropriate for the use of non-domestic Main Submersible pumps (3 @ 3,000 gallons/minute), (1 Low Flow Submersible pump @ 1,000 gallons/minute), (1 Low Flow Sump Pump @ 20 gallons/minute) for rehabilitation of a pump station in the State of Illinois.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA's regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of the petition or its final disposition.