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

The Board is granting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323-25 for CSX Transportation, Inc., to obtain trackage rights from Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NSR) over a 1.7-mile portion of NSR's Gary Branch between approximately milepost TC 244.90 and milepost TC 246.60.\1\

General Motors, LLC (GM) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2011, 2012 and 2013 Chevrolet Volt passenger cars sold with windshield sunshades as a ``Limited Personalization Option,'' do not fully comply with paragraph S4.3 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. FMVSS 302, Flammability of Interior Materials. GM has filed an appropriate report dated August 27, 2013, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

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.

These special conditions are issued for the modification of the Robinson Helicopter Company Model R66 helicopter. This model helicopter will have a novel or unusual design feature after installation of the HeliSAS helicopter autopilot/stabilization augmentation system (AP/SAS) that has potential failure conditions with more severe adverse consequences than those envisioned by the existing applicable airworthiness regulations. These special conditions contain the added safety standards the Administrator considers necessary to ensure the failures and their effects are sufficiently analyzed and contained.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-15-09 for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400, -401, and -402 airplanes. AD 2011-15-09 required repetitive inspections for proper operation of the main landing gear (MLG) alternate extension system (AES), and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD requires, for certain airplanes, new repetitive inspections for proper operation of the MLG AES, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also requires eventually replacing the MLG AES cam mechanism assembly with a new assembly, which terminates the repetitive inspections for those airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that, for certain airplanes not affected by AD 2011-15-09, a different MLG AES cam mechanism assembly was installed, resulting in input lever fractures and inability to open the MLG door; those assemblies could be subject to the same unsafe condition in AD 2011-15-09. We are issuing this AD to prevent improper operation of the cam mechanism or rupture of the door release cable, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing.

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 reports in which a single, undetected, erroneous radio altimeter output caused the autothrottle to enter landing flare retard mode prematurely on approach. This AD requires removing certain autothrottle computers and installing a new or reworked autothrottle computer. We are issuing this AD to prevent a single, undetected, erroneous radio altimeter output from causing premature autothrottle landing flare retard and subsequent loss of automatic speed control, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of smoke or flames in the passenger cabin of various transport category airplanes related to the wiring for the passenger cabin in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, cabin lighting, and passenger seats. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, doing an inspection of the electrical power control panel for a certain part number, and corrective action if necessary; and, for certain other airplanes, installing a new electrical power control panel, and making changes to the wiring and certain electrical load management system (ELMS) panels. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to the IFE systems and other non- essential electrical systems through one or two switches in the flight deck in the event of smoke or flames. In the event of smoke or flames in the airplane flight deck or passenger cabin, the flightcrew's inability to turn off electrical power to the IFE system and other non- essential electrical systems could result in the inability to control smoke or flames in the airplane flight deck or passenger cabin during a non-normal or emergency situation, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 707 airplanes, Model 720 and 720B series airplanes, Model 727 airplanes, and Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a fire that originated near the first officer's area and caused extensive damage to the flight deck on a different airplane model. This AD requires replacing the low-pressure oxygen hoses with non-conductive low- pressure oxygen hoses in the flight compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent electrical current from inadvertently passing through an internal, anti-collapse spring of the low-pressure oxygen hose, which can cause the low-pressure oxygen hose to melt or burn, leading to an oxygen-fed fire and/or smoke in the flight deck.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters with certain duplex trim actuators installed. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the lateral and longitudinal trim actuator output levers for correct torque of the nuts. This proposed AD is prompted by a design review that the attachment screws can become lost under certain circumstances. The proposed actions are intended to prevent the loss of an attachment screw, which could result in movement of the output lever in an axial direction, contact of a bolt connecting the control rod to an output lever with the actuator housing, and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fuel quantity indication malfunctions caused by fuel probe failure. This proposed AD would require identifying the part number and serial number of the fuel probes and replacing if necessary. We are proposing this AD to prevent fuel probe failure, which could lead to undetected fuel starvation and consequent dual engine in-flight flame-out.

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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 ECJ, -100 IGW, -200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, retorquing and replacing the pylon outboard and inboard lower link fittings. For all airplanes, this AD requires repetitive retorquing of the pylon outboard and inboard lower link fittings. This AD was prompted by a report of a loose lower link assembly on the left and right pylons. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of a shear pin on the pylon outboard and inboard lower link fittings, which could result in failure of the fitting and consequent separation of the engine from the wing.

This action modifies four VOR Federal airways (V-44, V-47, V- 49, and V-51) in the vicinity of Nabb, IN. The Nabb, IN (ABB), VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC) facility that provides navigation guidance for a portion of the airways listed was damaged beyond repair by a tornado in 2012.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-14-17 for certain Airbus Model A330-200 and A340-300 series airplanes. AD 2008- 14-17 required a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection, corrective actions if necessary, and modifications. This new AD requires the same actions as those required by AD 2008-14-17, but with a reduced compliance time. This AD was prompted by a determination from a fatigue and damage tolerance evaluation that the compliance time needs to be revised. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage of the upper shell structure at the skin and frame interface, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airframe.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the high pressure shutoff valves (HPSOVs) causing the timer and monitor unit (TMU) to become inoperative since the HPSOV and the TMU are on the same circuit breaker. This AD requires a wiring modification to segregate the HPSOV power supply from the TMU. We are issuing this AD to prevent an inoperative TMU, which could result in the loss of the automatic de-icing mode, and lead to an increased workload for the flight crew and loss of control of the airplane.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 46 individuals for exemption from the prohibition against persons with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would allow these individuals with ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, and -400ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of the engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) display system malfunctioning during flight. This proposed AD would require an inspection for plastic couplings, corrective actions if necessary, and installation of new spray shrouds. We are proposing this AD to prevent an uncontrolled water leak from a defective potable water system coupling, which could cause the main equipment center (MEC) line replaceable units (LRUs) to become wet, resulting in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by issuance of revised certification maintenance requirements (CMR) for the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA). This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct premature wear and cracking of the HSTAs, which could result in reduced structural integrity and reduced control of the airplane due to the failure of system components.

This action amends the legal descriptions of Jet Route J-34 and VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) Federal airways V-274, V-285, and V-510, in the vicinity of Grand Rapids, MI. The FAA is taking this action because the name of the Grand Rapids, MI, VOR/Distance Measure Equipment (VOR/DME) facility, which is included in the descriptions of the above routes, is being changed to the Victory VOR/DME.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the Seattle- Tacoma International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR Part 150 on May 29, 2014. These findings were made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On December 13, 2013, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On May 29, 2014, the FAA approved the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Noise Compatibility Program in a Record of Approval (ROA), which was published in the Federal Register on June 12, 2014. Subsequent to the Federal Register publication, FAA recognized that a measure was inadvertently omitted from the ROA. This measure has been added via an errata sheet. Measure M-14Sound insulate eligible owner- occupied multi-family (condominiums) within the modified noise remedy boundary was included in the Noise Compatibility Program and vetted with the public through the Part 150 process. As stated in the errata sheet, FAA has approved this measure.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC \1\ (MBUSA) and its parent company Daimler AG (DAG)(collectively referred to as ``MBUSA'') have determined that certain model year 2011 and 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (221 platform) passenger cars do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), specifically the requirements in paragraph S4.4. MBUSA filed a report for the nonconformance pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports, on September 30, 2011.