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

This action proposes to amend Class E Airspace at Tazewell, TN, as new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures have been developed at New Tazewell Municipal Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

This action proposes to establish Class E Airspace at Magee, MS, to accommodate a new Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedure (SIAP) serving Magee Municipal Airport. This action would enhance the safety and airspace management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations within the National Airspace System.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at the Ottumwa Regional Airport, Ottumwa, Iowa, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

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.

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.

FMCSA requests public comment on an application for exemption from Van Hool N.V. and Coach USA (Van Hool/Coach USA) to allow the use of double deck motorcoaches constructed with a sleeper berth that has an exit that does not meet the minimum dimensional requirements specified in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Section 393.76(c)(1) of the FMCSRs requires sleeper berths installed (1) on or after January 1, 1963 to have an exit that is a doorway or opening that is at least 18 inches high and 36 inches wide and (2) before January 1, 1963, to have sufficient area to contain an ellipse having a major axis of 24 inches and a minor axis of 16 inches. Because of the limited available locations to place the sleeper berth within the confines of the motorcoach, Van Hool/Coach USA is requesting an exemption that would allow the use of sleeper berths that comply with the pre-January 1, 1963, exit dimension requirements instead of the post-January 1, 1963, requirements. Van Hool/Coach USA believes that the reduced exit area of the sleeper berth will maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. ASTAZOU XIV B and XIV H engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks on the 2nd-stage turbine disc. This proposed AD would require replacement of the 2nd-stage turbine disc. We are proposing this AD to prevent disc cracking, uncontained 2nd-stage turbine blade release, damage to the engine, and damage to the helicopter.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2012-14-04 for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes. AD 2012-14-04 required replacing certain parking brake accumulators. This new AD retains this requirement. This new AD also requires installing restraint devices around the parking brake accumulator end caps. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of a parking brake accumulator screw cap or end cap resulting in loss of the number 2 hydraulic system and damage to airplane structures, which could adversely affect the controllability of the airplane.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2000-06-13 R1, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, and -400 series airplanes. AD 2000-06-13 R1 required repetitively inspecting for cracking of the corners of the door frame and the cross beams of the aft cargo door, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2000-06-13 R1 also required modifying the aft cargo door, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This new AD adds airplanes to the applicability, adds inspections and related investigative and corrective actions, revises certain inspection types, and reduces a certain compliance time for modifying the doors. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the forward and aft corner frames of the aft cargo door and in the lower cross beam. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the corners of the door frame and the cross beams of the aft cargo door, which could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Arrow Falcon Exporters, Inc. (previously Utah State University); Firefly Aviation Helicopter Services (previously Erickson Air-Crane Co.); California Department of Forestry; Garlick Helicopters, Inc.; Global Helicopter Technology, Inc.; Hagglund Helicopters, LLC (previously Western International Aviation, Inc.); International Helicopters, Inc.; Precision Helicopters, LLC; Robinson Air Crane, Inc.; San Joaquin Helicopters (previously Hawkins and Powers Aviation, Inc.); S.M.&T. Aircraft (previously US Helicopters, Inc., UNC Helicopter, Inc., Southern Aero Corporation, and Wilco Aviation); Smith Helicopters; Southern Helicopter, Inc.; Southwest Florida Aviation International, Inc. (previously Jamie R. Hill and Southwest Florida Aviation); Tamarack Helicopters, Inc. (previously Ranger Helicopter Services, Inc.); US Helicopter, Inc. (previously UNC Helicopter, Inc.); West Coast Fabrication; and Williams Helicopter Corporation (previously Scott Paper Co.) Model HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, and UH-1P Helicopters; and Southwest Florida Aviation Model UH- 1B (SW204 and SW204HP) and UH-1H (SW205) Helicopters. This AD requires creating a component history card or equivalent record for each main rotor grip (grip); determining and recording the total hours time-in- service (TIS) for each grip; visually inspecting the upper and lower tangs of the grip for a crack; inspecting the grip buffer pads for delamination and if delamination is present, inspecting the grip surface for corrosion or other damage; inspecting the grip for a crack using ultrasonic (UT) and fluorescent penetrant inspection methods; and establishing a retirement life for certain grips. This AD was prompted by three in-flight failures of grips installed on Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 212 helicopters, which resulted from cracks originating in the lower main rotor blade bolt lug. The actions are intended to prevent failure of the grip, separation of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Washington, KS. Decommissioning of the Morrison non-directional beacon (NDB) at Washington County Memorial Airport has made reconfiguration necessary for standard instrument approach procedures and for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. Geographic coordinates would also be updated.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Wadena, MN. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Wadena Municipal Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for SIAPs at the airport. Geographical coordinates would also be updated.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1 helicopters. This proposed AD would require measuring the distance between the end of the main rotor collective pitch lever (collective) locking stud (locking stud) and the locking strip and repairing the locking stud if the clearance is insufficient. This proposed AD is prompted by a report that insufficient distance between the locking stud and the locking strip may cause the collective to become inadvertently locked in the low pitch (low) position. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the collective from becoming inadvertently locked in the low position and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -800, -900, and -900ER airplanes modified by particular supplemental type certificates (STC). This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks found during inspections of the in-flight entertainment system radome assembly. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for cracks in the radome assembly, and replacement of the radome if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the radome assembly, which could result in the radome (or pieces) separating from the airplane and striking the tail, and consequently reducing the controllability of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) model GEnx-2B67 and GEnx-2B67B turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by the original equipment manufacturer's disclosure that certain critical rotating life-limited parts (LLPs) used in Boeing 747-8 flight tests had consumed more cyclic life than they would have in revenue flight cycles. These parts were then installed into engines and introduced into revenue service without adjustment to remaining cyclic life. This proposed AD would require a one-time adjustment to the cycle counts of those LLPs to account for the additional low cycle fatigue (LCF) life consumed during flight tests. We are proposing this AD to prevent the failure of critical rotating LLPs, uncontained engine failure, and damage to the airplane.

This notice announces the availability of funding and requests grant applications for FHWA's Tribal Transportation Program Safety Funds (TTPSF). In addition, this notice addresses comments received on the interim notice of funding availability (Docket No. FHWA-2013-0012), announces selection criteria, application requirements, and technical assistance during the grant solicitation period for the TTPSF. The TTPSF is authorized within the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP- 21). The FHWA will distribute these funds as described in this final notice on a competitive basis in a manner consistent with the selection criteria. On April 30, 2013, FHWA published an interim notice that announced funding availability. Because this is a new program, the interim notice also requested comments on the proposed selection and evaluation criteria. The FHWA considered the comments that were submitted in accordance with the interim notice. The FHWA's response to the comments and revisions made in this final notice are described below in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. In the event that this solicitation does not result in the award and obligation of all available funds, FHWA may decide to publish an additional solicitation.

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC (Bridgestone),\1\ has determined that certain Bridgestone brand replacement tires manufactured between June 19, 2011 and March 17, 2012, do not fully comply with paragraph Sec. 5.5(f) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Bridgestone has filed an appropriate report dated July 19, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

As, new technology facilitates the introduction of area navigation (RNAV) instrument approach procedures over the past decade, the number of procedures available in the National Airspace System has nearly doubled. The complexity and cost to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of maintaining the existing ground based navigational infrastructure while expanding the new RNAV capability is not sustainable. The FAA is considering the cancellation of certain Non-directional Beacon (NDB) and Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR) instrument approach procedures (IAP) at airports that have multiple instrument approach procedures. The FAA proposes specific criteria to guide the identification and selection of appropriate NDB and VOR instrument approach procedures that can be considered for cancellation. The VOR IAPs associated with this cancellation initiative would be selected from the criteria outlined below. This Notice is not a part of the FAA's VOR minimum operating network (MON) initiative.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fasteners missing on an airplane undergoing a passenger-to-freighter conversion. This proposed AD would require doing a general visual inspection of the station 1920 splice clip for correct fastener installation, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct missing or incorrect fasteners, which can lead to cracking and loss of load carrying capacity, resulting in a possible decompression event.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval, and invites public comment. This ICR will enable FMCSA to document the burden associated with the marking regulations codified in 49 CFR 390.21, ``Marking of Self-Propelled CMVs and Intermodal Equipment.'' These regulations require marking of vehicles and intermodal equipment by motor carriers, freight forwarders and intermodal equipment providers (IEPs) engaging in interstate transportation. On April 11, 2013, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 21704) allowing for a 60-day comment period on this ICR. The FMCSA received no comments in response to this notice.