Department of Transportation March 7, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In December 2012, PHMSA revised forms PHMSA F 7100.2Incident ReportNatural and Other Gas Transmission and Gathering Pipeline Systems and PHMSA F 7000-1Accident ReportHazardous Liquid Pipeline Systems. These revised forms are now available for electronic submittal in the PHMSA Portal. As described in this notice, PHMSA requests supplemental reports to improve the quality of the incident and accident data.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) Models 172R, 172S, 182S, 182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H airplanes. That NPRM proposed to supersede an existing AD that currently requires an inspection of the engine oil pressure switch and, if applicable, replacement with an improved engine oil pressure switch. Since we issued the existing AD, we have received new reports of internal failure of the improved engine oil pressure switch, which could result in complete loss of engine oil with consequent partial or complete loss of engine power or fire. The NPRM proposed to increase the applicability of the AD and place a life- limit of 3,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) on the engine oil pressure switch, requiring replacement when the engine oil pressure switch reaches its life limit. This action revises that NPRM by changing the applicable serial numbers ranges. 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. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Class E airspace at Sault Ste Marie, ON. Changes to controlled airspace are necessary to coincide with the Canadian control zone over Sault Ste Marie Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. That NPRM proposed to require performing repetitive operational tests of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, and other related testing if necessary. That NPRM was prompted by reports of two in-service occurrences on Model 737-400 airplanes of total loss of boost pump pressure of the fuel feed system, followed by loss of fuel system suction feed capability on one engine, and in-flight shutdown of the engine. This action revises that NPRM by proposing to revise the maintenance program to incorporate a revision to the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the maintenance planning data (MPD) document. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM to detect and correct failure of the engine fuel suction feed of the fuel system, which, in the event of total loss of the fuel boost pumps, could result in dual engine flameout, inability to restart the engines, and consequent forced landing of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the previous NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the outboard flange of the longeron extension fittings, which attach to the wing-to- body fairing support frame. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the longeron extension fittings for cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the longeron extension fittings, which can become large and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

This action amends the description of the Tampa International Airport, FL, Class B airspace area by changing the references for defining the centerpoint of the airspace from the ``airport surveillance radar (ASR) antenna'' to ``Point of Origin.'' In addition, the description is edited throughout to improve clarity. These changes are editorial only and do not alter the current charted boundaries or altitudes or the ATC procedures for the Tampa Class B airspace area.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A310-204, -222, -304, -322, and -324 airplanes. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer re-classifying slat extension eccentric bolts as principle structural elements (PSE) with replacement due at or before newly calculated fatigue life limits. This AD requires replacing slat extension eccentric bolts and associated washers with new slat extension eccentric bolts and washers. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking, which could result in the loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations in response to petitions for rulemaking submitted by the regulated community to update, clarify, or provide relief from miscellaneous regulatory requirements. Specifically, PHMSA is amending the recordkeeping and package marking requirements for third-party labs and manufacturers to assure the traceability of packaging; removing the listing for ``NA1203, Gasohol, gasoline mixed with ethyl alcohol, with not more than 10% alcohol''; harmonizing internationally and providing a limited quantity exception for Division 4.1, Self-reactive solids and Self-reactive liquids Types B through F; allowing smokeless powder classified as a Division 1.4C material to be reclassified as a Division 4.1 material; and providing greater flexibility by allowing the Dangerous Cargo Manifest to be in locations designated by the master of the vessel besides ``on or near the vessel's bridge'' while the vessel is in a United States port.