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

This notice is announcing a one-day public workshop to discuss a rapidly evolving safety management system (SMS) national consensus standard. At this workshop, diversely comprised panels will discuss key concepts underlying this standard. This workshop will be webcast with an opportunity for attendees and viewers to pose questions to the panelists and moderators. Four panels will present their experience with SMS from industries outside the energy pipeline world including aviation, chemical, nuclear, and health care. Panels will address the role and value of SMS, the role of leadership at the top through the lower ranks in making SMS work, the value of ``safety assurance'', and the growing recognition of the role of safety culture in ensuring attainment of key safety objectives.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG (RRD) Tay 620-15, 650-15, and 651- 54 turbofan engines. This AD requires replacement of low-pressure compressor (LPC) fan blades. This AD was prompted by the discovery that the LPC fan blades leading edges erode in service and create an unacceptable blade flutter margin. We are issuing this AD to prevent LPC fan blade failure, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously approved collections. This document describes the collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A320-111, -211, -212, and -231 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of broken struts of the center wing box (CWB). This proposed AD would require a detailed inspection of the CWB struts for cracking, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracked or broken struts, which could result in strut failure and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of two cases of premature corrosion found on the structural support flange for the engine thrust reverser. This proposed AD would require doing a fluorescent penetrant inspection of the metallic components of the thrust reverser's attach flange for any corrosion; inspecting the thrust reverser flange for damage to the sealant, as applicable; installing sealants and gaskets, as applicable, to the thrust reverser flanges and service island flanges; and related investigative and corrective actions as necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the thrust reverser structural support, which could result in departure of the thrust reverser from the engine that could subsequently result in damage to the adjacent support structure and engine controls, airframe structure, and control surfaces. Departing thrust reversers could also result in injury to persons on the ground.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-13-23, which applies to certain Airbus Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). AD 98-13-23 requires inspections to detect corrosion and cracking of the lower horizontal stabilizer cutout longeron, the corner fitting, the skin strap, and the outer skin; and repair, if necessary. Since we issued AD 98-13-23, we have determined that the risk of cracking is higher than initially determined. This proposed AD would reduce the compliance times and repetitive intervals, and changes the inspection procedures. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the lower horizontal stabilizer cutout longeron, the corner fitting, the skin strap, and the outer skin, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the horizontal-stabilizer cutout longeron.

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.

These special conditions are issued for the Bombardier Aerospace Inc. Models BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 series airplanes. These airplanes will have novel or unusual design features associated with the autobraking system for use during landing. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-19-11 for certain Learjet Inc. Model 60 airplanes. AD 2003-19-11 required determining if a certain fuel crossflow tube is installed; and follow- on/corrective actions, as applicable. This new AD requires retaining all actions in AD 2003-19-11, and it also requires determining if a certain fuel crossflow tube is installed, performing repetitive measurements of the fuel crossflow tube and surrounding valves and cables, and doing corrective actions if necessary. In addition, this new AD expands the applicability of AD 2003-19-11. This AD was prompted by a report that airplanes produced since 2003 might also be subject to the unsafe condition; and that the minimum allowable clearance is not established in the airplane maintenance information. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing and consequent failure of the fuel crossflow tube due to inadequate clearance between the tube and the flight control cables, which could result in loss of fuel from one fuel tank during normal operating conditions or loss of fuel from both main fuel tanks during fuel cross-feeding operations.

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 a report of cracks in stringer splices at body station STA 360 and STA 908, between stringer (S) S-10L and S-10R; cracks in butt straps between S-5L and S-3L, and S-3R and S-5R; vertical chem-mill fuselage skin cracks at certain butt joints; and an instance of cracking that occurred in all those three structural elements on one airplane. This AD requires repetitive inspections for any cracking of stringer splices and butt straps, and related corrective and investigative actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the three structural elements, which could result in the airplane not being able to sustain limit load requirements and possibly result in uncontrolled decompression.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter Model EC225LP and AS332L1 helicopters with emergency floatation gear. The AD requires, before the next overwater flight, inspecting the strap installation on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear on both rear cradles for correct installation. If a strap is installed under the hinged rod median plate rather than over it, reinstalling the strap is required. The AD is prompted by incorrect routing of the straps on the hinged rods of the emergency flotation gear rear cradles. The actions are intended to detect incorrect strap installation and prevent failure of the rods or straps upon deployment of the emergency flotation gear, incorrect float position, and subsequent capsizing of the helicopter.

This action corrects the geographic coordinates and adds the geographic coordinates of the Grand Forks International Airport ILS Localizer, and removes NOTAM information, in the regulatory text of a final rule that was published in the Federal Register of December 10, 2013, amending Class D and Class E airspace in the Grand Forks, ND area.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2004-16- 01, that applies to certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300, and Model A340-200 and -300, series airplanes. AD 2004-16-01 currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the chromed area of the left and right piston rods for the main landing gear (MLG) retraction actuators, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. Since we issued AD 2004-16-01, we have determined that the presence of water in the internal volume of the piston rod can consequently lead to propagation of longitudinal cracking in the body of the piston rod. We have also determined through sampling that certain retraction actuator piston rods of the MLG need to be replaced. This proposed AD would require repetitive draining of any fluid from the retraction actuator piston rod internal volume and sealing of the vent hole; repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the upper end of the piston rods, and corrective actions if necessary; a one-time ultrasonic inspection (longitudinal and circumferential) of the full-length of the piston rod, and corrective actions if necessary; and a terminating modification of the left-hand and right-hand MLG retraction actuators. We are proposing this AD to prevent cracking of the piston rods for the MLG retraction actuators, which could result in rupture of a piston rod, non-damped extension of the MLG, high loads on the fully extended MLG, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the MLG.

These special conditions are issued for the Learjet Inc. Model LJ-200-1A10 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with advanced composite materials in the construction of its fuselage and wings. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew the following information collections: Title VI as it Applies to FTA Grant Programs; Nondiscrimination as it Applies to FTA Grant Programs; and Charter Service Operations. The collections involve FTA's Title VI, Nondiscrimination, and Charter Service Operations Programs. The information to be collected for the Title VI Program is necessary to ensure that service and benefits are provided non-discriminatorily without regard to race, color, or national origin. The information to be collected for the Nondiscrimination Program is necessary to ensure that any employee or applicant for employment is not discriminated against on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, age or disability. The information collected for the Charter Service Program is necessary to protect charter service providers from unauthorized competition by FTA recipients.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received written notice, dated January 8, 2014, from the City of Cleveland, Tennessee requesting the release of land and the permanent closure of Cleveland Hardwick Field (HDI). The notice was in excess of 30 days before the closure in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 46319(a). The FAA hereby publishes the intent of the City of Cleveland's notice of permanent closure of Cleveland Hardwick Field Airport in accordance with U.S.C. 46319(b).

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 announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 15 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.

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.