Department of Transportation September 30, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 1, 2013, PHMSA published a notice of inquiry in the Federal Register on ``Class Location Requirements,'' seeking comments on whether integrity management program (IMP) requirements, or elements of IMP, should be expanded beyond high consequence areas (HCA) and, with respect to gas transmission pipeline facilities, whether applying IMP requirements to additional areas would mitigate the need for class location requirements. PHMSA has received two requests to extend the comment period to allow stakeholders more time to evaluate the notice of inquiry. PHMSA concurs with this request and is extending the comment period from September 30, 2013, to November 1, 2013.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 16 individuals from its rule prohibiting persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The exemptions will enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

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.

This document announces the agency's decision to implement (with minor modifications) the planned update to the U.S. New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) that the agency announced in its June 26, 2013 request for comments (78 FR 38266). As we discussed in that request for comments, this update will enhance the program's ability to recommend to consumers vehicle models that have rearview video systems that the agency believes (based on currently available data) will decrease the risk of backover crashes. Further, the program will no longer list electronic stability control (ESC) as a Recommended Advanced Technology Feature because ESC is now required for all light vehicles. For many years, NCAP has provided comparative information on the safety of new vehicles to assist consumers with vehicle purchasing decisions. NCAP was most recently upgraded for model year 2011 to include recommended crash avoidance technologies. Those updates, along with today's updates to NCAP, allow consumers to better distinguish not only which vehicle models have advanced crash avoidance safety features but also which of these advanced features are best able to help them avoid crashes.

This action establishes Class E airspace at the Cody VHF Omni- Directional Radio Range/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigation aid, Cody, WY, to facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft under control of Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC). This improves the safety and management of IFR operations within the National Airspace System.

General Motors, LLC (GM) \1\ has determined that certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu passenger cars manufactured between June 21, 2011 and July 24, 2012, do not fully comply with paragraphs S3.1.4.1(a) and (b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect. GM has filed an appropriate report dated August 3, 2012, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

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 The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of chafing damage to a wire bundle that was arcing to hydraulic tubing and caused by insufficient separation between the wire bundle and the hydraulic tubing in the main landing gear (MLG) wheel well. This AD requires an inspection for damage of wire bundles and hydraulic tubing on the right side of the forward bulkhead of the MLG wheel well; installation of new clamps; and corrective actions, as applicable. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct possible damage caused by insufficient separation between the wire bundles and hydraulic tubing to prevent electrical arcing in a flammable fluid leakage zone, which could lead to a wheel well fire.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found in the skin at body station (STA) 540 just below stringer S-22L on a Model 737-700 series airplane. This AD requires repetitive detailed and high frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the skin around the eight fasteners common to the ends of the STA 540 bulkhead chords between stringers S-22 and S-23, left and right sides; and corrective actions and preventive modification if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the skin, which can result in rapid decompression of the cabin.