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

KBC America, Inc. ``KBCA'' has determined that certain motorcycle helmets manufactured by KBC Corporation for Harley-Davidson as Harley-Davidson brand helmets do not fully comply with paragraph S5.6 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218, Motorcycle Helmets. KBCA has filed an appropriate report dated December 12, 2013, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

On April 28, 2014, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a notice in the Federal Register (79 FR 23403) of its intent to revise the gas distribution annual report (PHMSA F7100.1-1) to improve the granularity of the data collected. In addition to making several minor changes to the report, PHMSA will also request a new Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number for this information collection. PHMSA received comments from one commenter in response to that notice. PHMSA is publishing this notice to respond to the comments, provide the public with an additional 30 days to comment on the proposed revisions to the forms and the instructions and announce that the revised information collection will be submitted to the OMB for approval.

This action modifies jet routes J-64 and J-80, and removes jet route J-77, in the northeastern United States. The FAA is taking this action to remove segments that are receiving minimal to no usage due to other more efficient routes in the area. This action eliminates the unneeded route segments, reduces aeronautical chart clutter and improves chart readability.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-13- 11 and AD 2013-16-09, for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2011-13-11 currently requires an amendment of the airplane flight manual (AFM), repetitive checks of specific centralized fault display system (CFDS) messages, an inspection of the opening sequence of the main landing gear (MLG) door actuator for discrepancies if certain messages are found, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2013-16-09 currently requires an inspection to determine airplane configuration and part numbers of the landing gear control interface unit and MLG door actuators; and, for affected airplanes, repetitive inspections of the opening sequence of the MLG door actuator, and replacement of the MLG door actuator if necessary; and provides optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since we issued AD 2011-13-11 and AD 2013-16-09, we have determined that the interval of the MLG door opening sequence inspection must be reduced. This proposed AD would reduce the interval of the MLG door opening sequence inspection. This proposed AD would also require replacing or modifying certain MLG door actuators. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct deterioration of the damping ring and associated retaining ring of the MLG door actuator, which can sufficiently increase the friction inside the actuator to restrict opening of the MLG door by gravity, during operation of the landing gear alternate (free-fall) extension system. This condition could prevent the full extension and/or down-locking of the MLG, possibly resulting in MLG collapse during landing and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-300 and A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of substantial inner skin disbonding damage found on a rudder. This proposed AD would require performing an inspection for damage of certain rudders, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct damage of the rudder, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the rudder.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has placed in the docket and on its Web site, proposed guidance in the form of a circular, to assist recipients in their implementation of the research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects; technical assistance and standards development projects; and human resources and training projects. The purpose of this proposed circular is to provide FTA recipients guidance on application procedures and project management responsibilities. The proposed revisions to the existing circular are a result of changes made to FTA's Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment Program, its Technical Assistance and Standards Development Program, and its Human Resources and Training Program by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. By this notice, FTA invites public comment on the proposed circular.

FMCSA confirms its decision to exempt 34 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions allow these individuals to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce without meeting the prescribed vision requirement in one eye.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps for Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, as submitted by the Pease Development Authority under the provisions of Title I of the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act of 1979 (Pub. L. 96-193) and 14 CFR Part 150, are in compliance with applicable requirements.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), this notice announces that FHWA will submit the collection of information described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on May 19, 2014. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all Saab AB, Saab Aerosystems Model 340B airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection of the stick pusher rigging and an adjustment to the correct setting if necessary. The NPRM was prompted by a report that the elevator position quoted in an aircraft maintenance manual is incorrect and a report that the trunnion at the lower part of the control column was installed incorrectly. This action revises the NPRM by proposing to require an inspection of the installation of the trunnion and the stick pusher rigging, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to correct the rigging of the elevator position of the stick pusher to reduce the probability of a negative effect on the handling quality during stall, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM and at the request of a commenter, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model Mystere-Falcon 50 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an untimely and intermittent indication of slat activity due to chafing of the electrical wiring under the glare shield and behind the flight deck front panel. This proposed AD would require installing two protective plates between the electrical wiring under the glare shield and the engine fire pull handles. We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing of the electrical wiring, which could result in a short circuit and generation of smoke in the cockpit, potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

This rule amends the FAA's repair station regulations to allow the FAA to deny an application for a new repair station certificate if the applicant or certain associated key individuals had materially contributed to the circumstances that caused a previous repair station certificate revocation action. The rule also adds a new section prohibiting fraudulent or intentionally false entries or omissions of material facts in any application, record, or report made under the repair station rules, and provides that making the fraudulent or intentionally false entry or omitting or concealing the material fact is grounds for imposing a civil penalty and for suspending or revoking any certificate, approval, or authorization issued by the FAA to the person who made or caused the entry or omission. These changes are necessary because the repair station rules do not presently provide these safeguards as do other parts of the FAA's regulations. Both of these changes will enhance safety by reducing the number of individuals in the repair station industry who commit intentional and serious violations of the regulations or who demonstrate they are otherwise unqualified to hold repair stations certificates.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-1A11 (CL-600) airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual to prohibit thrust reverser operation, and repetitive detailed inspections of both engine thrust reversers for cracks and modification if necessary. The modification of the thrust reversers is also an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD was prompted by reports of partial deployment of an engine thrust reverser in-flight caused by a failure of the translating sleeve at the thrust reverser attachment points. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks of the translating sleeve at the thrust reverser actuator attachment points, which could result in deployment or dislodgement of an engine thrust reverser in- flight and subsequent reduced control of the airplane.

PHMSA is proposing to revise the Hazardous Materials Regulations applicable to return shipments of certain hazardous materials by motor vehicle. PHMSA proposes a definition for ``reverse logistics'' for hazardous materials that are intended to be returned to or between a vendor, distributor, manufacturer, or other person for the purpose of returning for credit, recalling product, replacement, or similar reason (for instance, from a retail or wholesale outlet). PHSMA proposes to establish a new section in the regulations to provide an exception for materials that are transported in a manner that meets the definition of ``reverse logistics.'' In this exception, PHMSA proposes to clearly identify the hazardous materials authorized, packaging, hazard communication, and training requirements applicable to reverse logistics shipments. In addition to providing a new reverse logistics exception, this rulemaking also proposes to expand an existing exception for reverse logistics shipments of used automobile batteries that are being shipped from a retail facility to a recycling center.

This rule 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.

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.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that the open season for Fiscal Year 2015 applications for participation in the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) program will run for 30 days beginning today and ending September 8, 2014. The purpose of this notice is to invite interested, qualified U.S.-flag vessel operators that are not currently enrolled in the VISA program to apply. This is the only planned enrollment period for carriers to join the VISA program and derive benefits for Department of Defense (DOD) peacetime contracts initiated during the period from October 1, 2014, through September 30, 2015. Any U.S.-flag vessel operator organized under the laws of a state of the United States, or the District of Columbia, who is able and willing to commit militarily useful sealift assets and assume the related consequential risks of commercial disruption, may be eligible to participate in the VISA program. The mission of VISA is to provide commercial sealift and intermodal shipping services and systems, including vessels, vessel space, intermodal systems and equipment, terminal facilities, and related management services, to the Department of Defense (DOD), as necessary, to meet national defense contingency requirements or national emergencies. Carriers enrolled in the VISA program provide DOD with assured access to such services during contingencies. In return for their VISA commitment, DOD gives VISA participants priority for peacetime cargos.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with Pratt and Whitney engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of blocked drain lines at the engine forward strut that caused flammable fluid to accumulate in a flammable leakage zone. This AD would require repetitive functional checks for blockage of the forward strut drain line, and doing corrective actions (including cleaning or replacing any blocked drain lines) if necessary; and a one- time cleaning of certain forward strut drain lines. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct blockage of forward strut drain lines, which could cause flammable fluids to collect in the forward strut area and potentially cause an uncontrolled fire or cause failure of engine attachment structure and consequent airplane loss.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Model A350- 900 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with operation without normal electrical power. 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.

These special conditions are issued for Airbus Model A350-900 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with the new generation of high-bypass engines and the potential loads resulting from extreme engine-failure conditions. 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.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the sixth meeting of RTCA Special Committee 228Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twenty fifth meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216, Aeronautical Systems Security.

Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 5 U.S.C. App. 2), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC). The meeting will take place on, Tuesday, September 16, 2014, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, September 17, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the National Transportation Safety Board Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Washington, DC 20594. This will be the 60th meeting of the COMSTAC. The proposed schedule for the COMSTAC working group meetings on September 16th is below:

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 29 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.