Department of Transportation February 25, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 21 individuals. FMCSA has statutory authority to exempt individuals from the vision requirement if the exemptions granted will not compromise safety. The Agency has concluded that granting these exemption renewals will provide a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the level of safety maintained without the exemptions for these commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports from multiple operators that have found fatigue cracking in the corners of the forward galley service doorway. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for any cracking of the skin and bear strap doublers in the corners of the forward galley service doorway, and corrective action if necessary. This proposed AD would also provide optional terminating actions for certain repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in rapid loss of cabin pressure.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A310-304, -322, -324, and -325 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of insufficient clearance between the fuel quantity indicator (FQI) probes and the adjacent structure and metallic components in the wing fuel tanks. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed visual inspection for sufficient clearance between FQI probes on both the left-hand side and right-hand side of the trim horizontal stabilizer and the adjacent structure and metallic components in the fuel tanks, and modification if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct insufficient clearance, which could lead to electrical arcing in a fuel tank during a lightning strike, which could result in ignition and consequent fire or explosion in the fuel tank.

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.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 15 individuals for an exemption from the prohibition against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce. The regulation and the associated advisory criteria published in the Code of Federal Regulations as the ``Instructions for Performing and Recording Physical Examinations'' have resulted in numerous drivers being prohibited from operating CMVs in interstate commerce based on the fact that they have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication, rather than an individual analysis of their circumstances by a qualified medical examiner. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs for 2 years in interstate commerce.

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.

Pursuant to the Federal pipeline safety laws, PHMSA is publishing this notice to announce the availability for review of an Environmental Assessment for a special permit request we have received from Fairbanks Natural Gas, LLC (FNG) for a facility in Fairbanks, Alaska. FNG is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. This notice seeks public comments on the Environmental Assessment, including comments on any safety or environmental impacts. The Environmental Assessment is available for review at https://www.Regulations.gov. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the comments and determine whether to grant or deny the associated special permit request.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the application to impose and use the revenue from a PFC at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport under the provisions of the 49 U.S.C. 40117 and Part 158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR Part 158).

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Seventy Seventh meeting of RTCA Special Committee 147, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems Airborne Equipment.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of chaffing, arcing, and burning damage to the control cabin overhead wiring and ducting with smoke and fire caused by metal clamps installed on certain hoses. This AD requires inspecting for the presence of metal clamps, replacing metal clamps installed on the hoses to the air conditioning temperature sensor, gasper air outlet, and diffuser on the left side of the control cabin with plastic tie straps, and inspecting for and repairing damaged wire bundles. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to wire bundles, which could cause electrical arcing that could result in a fire or smoke in the control cabin of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as broken control column attachment bolts. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piaggio Aero Industries S.P.A Model P-180 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as insufficient clearance between one of the horizontal stabilizer end ribs and the corresponding elevator horn. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

PHMSA is closing this rulemaking proceeding under this docket having reconsidered our proposal for additional regulations associated with cargo tank motor vehicle (CTMV) loading or unloading operations. This action is based on the findings of the regulatory assessment, comments to docket of this rulemaking, and completion of a supplementary policy analysis on how best to address the safety risks of bulk loading and unloading operations. As an alternative to new regulatory requirements, PHMSA will be issuing a guidance document to provide best practices for CTMV loading and unloading operations; and will be conducting research to better understand the wide range of human factors that contribute to hazardous materials incidents including those associated with CTMV loading and unloading operations.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Fokker Services B.V. Model F.28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by three reports of cracking in the rear pressure bulkhead (RPBH) web. This AD requires inspecting the RPBH web for cracking, and repairing if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the RPBH web, which could result in in-flight decompression of the airplane and possible injury to the occupants.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Agusta S.p.A. (Agusta) Model AB412 helicopters. This AD requires visually inspecting the main rotor swashplate outer ring (outer ring) for a crack and replacing that outer ring if a crack exists. This AD is prompted by two cases of cracks caused by fatigue on certain outer rings. These actions are intended to prevent the failure of the outer ring, which would lead to loss of main rotor blade pitch control and subsequently loss of helicopter control.