Department of Transportation February 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs describes the nature of the information collection and their expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 15, 2012.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Sixty-First meeting of the RTCA Special Committee 135, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 214 to be held jointly with EUROCAE WG-78: Standards for Air Traffic Data Communication Services.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 19 individuals for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell), Model 412 and 412EP helicopters. This AD requires creating a component history card or equivalent record and begin counting and recording the number of accumulated landings for each high aft crosstube assembly (crosstube). Also, this AD requires installing ``caution'' decals regarding towing of a helicopter at or above 8,900 pounds. This AD also requires confirming the crosstube is within the horizontal deflection limits and replacing it if it is not. This AD also requires a recurring fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of each crosstube and upper center support for a crack, any corrosion, nick, scratch, dent, or any other damage. This AD requires repairing damaged crosstubes and upper center supports that are within acceptable limits, reworking crosstubes by bonding on abrasion strips, and replacing each unairworthy crosstube with an airworthy crosstube. This AD was prompted by analysis of the crosstubes conducted as a result of recent field failures and corrosion problems of the affected 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 Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate previously held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of control cable assembly failures that may lead to failure of the horizontal stabilator control system and could result in loss of pitch control. This AD requires inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

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 all Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the safe life limit and inspection requirements for the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) attachment pins and trunnions were not listed in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the maintenance program. This AD requires inspecting the trunnions and upper and lower pins for gouges, scratches, and corrosion, and replacing the trunnions if necessary; and adding serial numbers and new part numbers to certain trunnions, and upper and lower pins. This AD also requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in certain temporary revisions of the limitations section. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking, gouges, scratches, and corrosion of the HSTA attachment pins and trunnions, which could result in failure of these pins and trunnions and consequent disconnection of the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

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 the Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (Eurocopter) Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters. This proposed AD would require changing the direction of the bolt connecting the upper clevis bolt of a specific bellcrank in the main rotor assembly, repetitively inspecting the bearings in the bellcrank assemblies for correct staking, and replacing a bellcrank if a bearing is staked incorrectly. This proposed AD is prompted by improperly staked bellcrank bearings, which may cause the bellcrank to shift in the axial direction and cause chafing. The proposed actions are intended to prevent contact between the bolts on certain main rotor bellcranks, which could result in chafing and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This notice invites existing and potential multistate organizations, coalitions, or other arrangements or entities engaged in corridor transportation activities to apply for participation in the Multistate Corridor Operations and Management Program authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The purpose of this program is to promote regional cooperation, planning, and shared project implementation for programs and projects to improve multimodal transportation system management and operations. This notice seeks applications for available fiscal year (FY) 2012 funding ($7 million) for this program, which will be provided to cover a maximum of 80 percent of proposed program/project costs. Multiple awards are possible, but not guaranteed.

This notice announces the request for comments on the draft of FAA Order 5100-38D, Airport Improvement Program Handbook. When finalized, this Order will replace Order 5100-38C, Airport Improvement Program Handbook, issued on June 28, 2005. This update clarifies statutory requirements, including changes to the AIP statute from the recent FAA reauthorization.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A310-203 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an analysis that demonstrated a reduced fatigue life for the side link bolts, center sway link bolts, and thrust link bolts on the forward engine mounts. This AD requires repetitive replacement of those bolts. We are issuing this AD to prevent deterioration of the structural integrity of the bolts, which could result in possible damage to an engine or wing.