Department of Transportation August 26, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC) will meet on September 11, 2014. In January 2014, MARAD held a three-day National Maritime Strategy Symposium to discuss issues facing U.S.-flag vessels. The purpose of this initial public meeting was to generate ideas to improve, strengthen, and sustain the cargo opportunities and sealift capacity of the U.S.-flagged fleet engaged in international commercial trade. A second symposium was held in May which focused on domestic shipping, shipbuilding, ports and the needs of maritime stakeholders on the inland waterways, Great Lakes, gulf and coastwise trade. This meeting will be closed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(3) in order to deliberate on pre-decisional Agency policy documents containing selected concepts submitted to MARAD from interested members of the public during the two symposiums and as comments in response to meeting notices published in the Federal Register to facilitate the development of a National Maritime Strategy (NMS). The input MARAD receives from the Council will be part of its on-going deliberations as it prepares a long term maritime strategy. As this national maritime strategy develops, MARAD will continue to provide additional opportunities for the public to comment.

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.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-09- 05, for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and -300 series airplanes, and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2014-09-05 currently requires repetitive inspections of certain sidestay upper cardan pins of the main landing gear (MLG), and associated nuts and retainer assemblies, and pin replacement if necessary. Since we issued AD 2014- 09-05, we have determined that a previously optional measurement is necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct migration of the sidestay upper cardan pin, which could result in disconnection of the sidestay upper arm from the airplane structure, and could result in a landing gear collapse and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer) Model EMB-135BJ airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive fuel limitations are needed. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate new compliance times and fuel limitations. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of various structural elements and prevent ignition sources in the fuel system.

This document corrects a date and citation in a Federal Register notice published on Friday, July 25, 2014 (79 FR 43530) that announced an information collection request (OMB Control No. 201106- 2127-007) was forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget for review and comment.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-09- 11, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2011-09-11 currently requires repetitive inspections for hydraulic fluid contamination of the interior of the strut disconnect assembly; repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the interior of the strut disconnect assembly, if necessary; repetitive inspections of the exterior of the strut disconnect assembly for cracks, if necessary; corrective action if necessary; and an optional terminating action for the inspections. Since we issued AD 2011-09-11, we have received reports of side and top cover plates installed with missing fastener bolts, which results in an unsealed opening on the system disconnect assembly. This proposed AD would add, for certain airplanes, an inspection of the side and top cover plates to determine if all cover plate attach fasteners have been installed, and installing any missing fasteners including doing an inspection for damage, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct hydraulic fluid contamination, which can cause cracking of titanium parts in the system disconnect assembly; and also to detect and correct missing fasteners, which results in unsealed openings on the system disconnect assembly. Both unsafe conditions can compromise the engine firewall and result in fire hazards for both the engine compartment and the strut.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-22-10, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, and -300 series airplanes. AD 98-22-10 currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the aft frame and frame support structure of the forward service doorway, and repair if necessary. AD 98-22-10 also provides for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of that AD. Since we issued AD 98-22-10, we have determined that additional inspections are needed, and that additional airplanes may be subject to the identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would add inspections and add airplanes to the applicability. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD provides a preventive modification, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the aft frame and frame support structure of the forward service doorway around the six doorstop fittings, which could result in door deflection and loss of pressurization.

In accordance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5117(c), PHMSA is publishing the following list of special permit applications that have been in process for 180 days or more. The reason(s) for delay and the expected completion date for action on each application is provided in association with each identified application.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR Part 107, Subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.