Department of Transportation 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of missing clamps that are required to provide positive separation between the alternating current (AC) feeder cables and the hydraulic line of the landing gear alternate extension. This proposed AD would require inspecting for missing clamps, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the AC feeder cable. A chafed and arcing AC feeder cable could puncture the adjacent hydraulic line, which, in combination with the use of the alternate extension system, could result in an in-flight fire.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-1A11 (CL- 600), CL-600-2A12 (CL-601), and CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. The existing AD currently requires operators to assign serial numbers or part numbers to certain landing gear parts; and to establish the number of landings on the parts, if necessary. The existing AD also requires operators to revise the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to reflect the new life limits of the landing gear parts. Since we issued that AD, additional landing gear parts have been identified that need serialization. This proposed AD would add airplanes to the applicability; require operators to assign serial numbers or part numbers to certain additional landing gear parts, to establish the number of landings on the parts, if necessary; and record in all required airplane technical records and manuals the new part numbers, serial numbers, and landings assigned to these parts. We are proposing this AD to prevent life-limited landing gear parts from being used beyond their safe-life limits, which could lead to collapse of the landing gear.

PHMSA is proposing to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations applicable to the design, construction, certification, recertification and maintenance of cargo tank motor vehicles, cryogenic portable tanks and multi-unit tank car tanks (ton tanks) in response to petitions for rulemaking from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (National Board), and the Pressure Vessel Manufacturers Association (PVMA). Specifically, this NPRM proposes to allow the use of the 2013 edition of the ASME's Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XII (Section XII) for the design, construction, and certification of cargo tank motor vehicles, cryogenic portable tanks and ton tanks. PHMSA also proposes to authorize the use of the 2013 edition of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors' National Board Inspection Code (NBIC), as it applies to the continuing qualification and maintenance of ASME constructed cargo tank motor vehicles, cryogenic portable tanks, and ton tanks constructed to standards in ASME's Section XII, and existing cargo tank motor vehicles and portable tanks constructed to Section VIII, Division 1. If adopted, these amendments will allow for regulatory flexibility, without compromising safety.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all CFM International (CFM) S.A. CFM56-3 and CFM56-7B series turbofan engines with certain accessory gearboxes (AGBs) not equipped with a handcranking pad ``oil dynamic seal'' assembly. This AD was prompted by 42 events of total loss of engine oil from CFM56 series turbofan engines while in flight. This AD requires an independent inspection to verify re-installation of the handcranking pad cover after removal of the pad cover for maintenance until installation of a handcranking pad oil dynamic seal assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of engine oil while in flight, which could result in engine failure, loss of thrust control, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), and CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that traces of oil could be found in the crew oxygen system due to the use of incorrect pressure testing procedures during manufacturing. This AD requires cleaning the crew oxygen system. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct oil contaminants, which could cause an ignition and result in a fire in the oxygen system.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at the Flagstaff VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid, Flagstaff, AZ, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of aircraft operations within the National Airspace System.

The FAA is considering a proposal to change approximately 44.7 acres of airport land from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the sale of airport property located at Wayne County Airport, Wooster, Ohio. The aforementioned land is not needed for aeronautical use. The property is located near the southeast corner of Geyers Chapel Road (T.R. 68) and Hutton Road (C.R. 78). The property is currently being farmed and the proposed use after the sale would be farmland.

This notice announces NHTSA's publication of a technical report evaluating the effectiveness of pretensioners and load limiters for seat belts in the front seats of passenger cars and LTVs. The report's title is: Effectiveness of Pretensioners and Load Limiters for Enhancing Fatality Reduction by Seat Belts.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comments.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model DC-9-10, DC-9-30, and DC-9-40 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the aft pressure bulkhead web area is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires modifying the aft pressure bulkhead. The modification includes inspecting for cracks around the rivet holes, and repair of any cracking. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain serial-numbered Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters with a certain tailboom upper left attachment fitting (fitting). This AD requires inspecting the fitting for a crack and other conditions. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising and extending the 100 hour time-in-service (TIS) inspection requirements for the fitting. The actions of this AD are intended to detect a crack, loose rivet, corrosion, or any other damage, which could lead to loss of the tailboom and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2009-24-09 for all Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2009-24-09 required a repetitive inspection program on certain check valves in the hydraulic systems that includes, among other things, inspections for lock wire presence and integrity, traces of seepage or black deposits, proper torque, alignment of the check valve and manifold, installing new lock wire, and corrective actions if needed. This new AD expands the applicability, reduces the compliance time, changes torque values of the check valve tightening, and requires a repetitive inspection program for certain check valves in the hydraulic systems on airplanes that have had a certain modification embodied during production or in-service. This AD was prompted by multiple reports of hydraulic line check valves loosening. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct such check valve loosening, which could result in hydraulic leaks, possibly leading to the loss of all three hydraulic systems and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 16 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.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from the International Association of Movers (IAM) for an exemption for all domestic freight forwarders which operate solely in the Department of Defense's (DOD) household goods (HHG) program from the $75,000 bond requirement at 49 CFR 387.403(c). FMCSA promulgated this requirement pursuant to Section 32918 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), now codified at 49 U.S.C. 13906. On September 5, 2013, FMCSA published guidance in the Federal Register concerning section 32918, and on October 1, 2013, the Agency published a final rule amending 49 CFR part 387 to set a minimum $75,000 surety bond/ trust fund requirement for brokers of property and freight forwarders. FMCSA requests comments from all interested parties on IAM's exemption request.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from the Association of Independent Property Brokers and Agents (AIPBA) for an exemption for all property brokers and freight forwarders from the $75,000 bond provision included in section 32918 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), now codified in 49 U.S.C. 13906. AIPBA filed its request pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 13541. On September 5, 2013, FMCSA published guidance in the Federal Register concerning section 32918 and on October 1, 2013, the Agency published a final rule amending 49 CFR part 387 to set a minimum $75,000 surety bond/trust fund requirement for brokers of property and freight forwarders. FMCSA requests comments from all interested parties on AIPBA's exemption request.

We propose to revise airworthiness directive (AD) 2008-21-07 that applies to certain Dowty Propellers model R408/6-123-F/17 propellers. AD 2008-21-07 requires initial and repetitive inspections of the blade bonded metallic leading edge (L/E) guards for correct bonding until they accumulate more than 1,200 flight hours (FH) time in service. Since we issued AD 2008-21-07, Dowty Propellers has introduced updated service bulletins that identify terminating action to the requirements of AD 2008-21-07. This proposed AD would maintain the inspection and replacement requirements of AD 2008-21-07, provide an optional terminating action to those requirements, and add a new part number to the list of affected parts. We are proposing this AD to prevent the loss of the bonded metallic L/E guard of the propeller, which could result in damage to the propeller or to the airplane, or injury to personnel.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $3 billion in funds under the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program and the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 for States, local governmental authorities, tribal governments and other FTA recipients impacted by Hurricane Sandy, which affected mid-Atlantic and northeastern states in October 2012. This announcement solicits proposals for resilience projects, defined as those projects designed and built to address current and future vulnerabilities to a public transportation facility or system due to future occurrence or recurrence of emergencies or major disasters that are likely to occur in the geographic area in which the public transportation system is located; or projected changes in development patterns, demographics, or climate change and extreme weather patterns. For the purposes of this notice, ``public transportation'' may include consideration of intercity passenger rail service. This resilience funding is intended to protect public transportation infrastructure that has been repaired or rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy or that is at risk of being damaged or destroyed by a future natural disaster. These investments reduce the likelihood that U.S. taxpayers are asked to repair the same infrastructure after a future major storm or natural disaster. Furthermore, the activities funded under this notice will help strengthen and build more resilient communities to better withstand future disasters. The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 was enacted on January 29, 2013, and provided $10.9 billion for FTA's Emergency Relief Program for recovery, relief and resilience efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy with approximately $10.4 billion still available after implementation of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 2011. FTA has previously allocated $5.7 billion for recovery and resilience projects to public transportation agencies impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 permits the Secretary to transfer up to $5.383 billion to other agencies to fund programs authorized under titles 23 and 49, United States Code, in order to carry out resilience projects in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Under this authority, DOT transferred $185 million to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) authorized the Emergency Relief Program at 49 U.S.C. 5324. With the authorization of this program, Congress provided FTA with primary responsibility for Federal reimbursements for emergency response and recovery costs after an emergency or major disaster that affects public transportation systems. The Emergency Relief Program allows FTA to make grants for eligible public transportation capital and operating costs in the event of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, that affects a wide area, including projects to protect public transportation assets from damage. Beginning in late October 2012, President Obama issued major disaster declarations for specified counties in the following States: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia as a result of the impacts Hurricane Sandy and its remnants. Providers of public transportation in the affected areas as defined by these Presidential declarations are eligible to apply for funding for public transportation resilience projects. This notice includes a description of eligible projects, the criteria FTA will use to identify projects for funding, and a description of how to apply for funding. This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: https://www.fta.dot.gov. A synopsis of the funding opportunity will be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at https://www.GRANTS.GOV. FTA will announce final allocations in a Federal Register notice and on the FTA Web site.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting public comments on the following information collection was published on September 5, 2013 (Federal Register/Vol. 78, No. 172/pp. 54729-54730).

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 92 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.

This Notice provides information to Federal, State, and local agencies, Native American tribes, and other interested persons regarding the FAA's intent to prepare an EIS that will evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the issuance of a Launch Site Operator License to Space Florida. Space Florida, an independent special district and a subdivision of the State of Florida, proposes to construct and operate a commercial space launch site (the ``Shiloh Launch Complex'') and two off-site operations support areas. The Shiloh Launch Complex would include two vertical launch facilities that would accommodate up to 24 launches per year (12 launches per vertical launch facility), as well as up to 24 static fire engine tests or wet dress rehearsals per year (12 static fire engine tests or wet dress rehearsals per vertical launch facility). The launch vehicles would include liquid fueled, medium- to heavy-lift class orbital and suborbital vehicles. In addition to the 24 launches per year, the first stage of the launch vehicle could return to and land at the Shiloh Launch Complex. The proposed commercial space launch site is located on the west side of Kennedy Parkway North (State Road [SR] 3), which straddles Brevard and Volusia counties, Florida. Space Florida would be required to apply for a Launch Site Operator License to be issued by the FAA. The FAA will prepare the EIS in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500-1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, as part of its licensing process. Concurrent with the NEPA process, the FAA is initiating National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Consultation to determine the potential effects of the Proposed Action on historic properties. The FAA will also consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act regarding potential impacts to federally-listed threatened and endangered species. Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966, this EIS will comply with the requirements of Section 4(f).

The Board has approved the first quarter 2014 rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The first quarter 2014 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 0.980. The first quarter 2014 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.424. The first quarter 2014 RCAF-5 is 0.400.

According to data from FRA's Management Information System, the rail industry's random drug testing positive rate has remained below 1.0 percent for the last two years. FRA's Administrator has therefore determined that the minimum annual random drug testing rate for the period January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014, will remain at 25 percent of covered railroad employees. In addition, because the industry-wide random alcohol testing violation rate has remained below 0.5 percent for the last two years, the Administrator has determined that the minimum random alcohol testing rate will remain at 10 percent of covered railroad employees for the period January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. Railroads remain free, as always, to conduct random testing at higher rates.