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

The Board is publishing, and providing the public an opportunity to comment on, the 2012 weighted average state tax rates for each Class I railroad, as calculated by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), for use in the Revenue Shortfall Allocation Method (RSAM).

The National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS), codified in 23 CFR 650 Subpart C, establishes the minimum standards for inspection of all structures defined as highway bridges on public roads. The FHWA annually reviews each State's bridge inspection program to evaluate compliance with the NBIS. In 2011, FHWA implemented a new systematic, data-driven, risk-based oversight process which is used by FHWA Divisions to review State compliance with the NBIS. The new process was developed prior to the establishment of the review requirements identified in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Section 1111. Development of the internal FHWA review process included consultation with stakeholders through a pilot project, a joint FHWA/AASHTO task force, as well as with individual States and Federal agencies during the initial implementation of the process in 2011. The FHWA intends to continue this data-driven, risk-based review process to evaluate State compliance with the NBIS, including incorporation of any modifications based upon the comments received through this Notice.

We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D turboshaft engines. The existing AD currently requires replacing the hydromechanical metering unit (HMU) at a reduced life. Since we issued that AD, further cases of deterioration of HMU rotating components have been reported before the HMU reached the replacement interval in that AD. The proposed AD would maintain the existing AD requirements and would also require inspections of the HMU. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine, and possible loss of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Model 206L-3 and 206L-4 helicopters. This proposed AD would require installing a placard beneath the engine power dual tachometer and revising the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This proposed AD is prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations. The proposed actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine speeds during steady-state operations, prevent failure of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Model 230 helicopters. This proposed AD would require installing a placard on the instrument panel and revising the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This proposed AD is prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations. The proposed actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine speeds during steady-state operations, prevent failure of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Model 407 helicopters. This proposed AD would require installing a placard beneath the NR/NP dual tachometer and revising the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual (RFM). This proposed AD is prompted by several incidents of third stage engine turbine wheel failures, which were caused by excessive vibrations at certain engine speeds during steady-state operations. The proposed actions are intended to alert pilots to avoid certain engine speeds during steady-state operations, prevent failure of the third stage engine turbine, engine power loss, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.