Department of Transportation 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX airplanes. This AD was prompted by our determination of the need for a revision to the airplane airworthiness limitations to introduce a corrosion prevention control program, among other changes, to the maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include the maintenance tasks and airworthiness limitations specified in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the airplane maintenance manual. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane, and prevent reduced controllability of the airplane.

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.

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) on behalf of itself and its parent company Daimler AG (DAG), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class (X204 platform) multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs), do not fully comply with paragraph S5.1.1.6 \1\ of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. MBUSA filed an appropriate report dated October 9, 2012 pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573 Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. MBUSA then filed a petition for exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. 30118 on the basis that the defect is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. We are denying this petition because we believe that the noncompliant parking lamp is not inconsequential to motor vehicles safety.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued and placed in the docket and on its Web site final Agency guidance, in the form of a circular, on joint development. This circular provides guidance to recipients of FTA financial assistance on how to use FTA funds or FTA- funded real property, for joint development. This circular: (1) Defines the term ``joint development''; (2) explains how a joint development project can qualify for FTA assistance; (3) describes the legal requirements applicable to the acquisition, use, and disposition of real property acquired with FTA assistance; (4) outlines the most common crosscutting requirements applicable to FTA-assisted joint developments; and (5) describes FTA's process for reviewing a joint development project proposal. This circular incorporates provisions of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141 (2012), advances the goals of 49 U.S.C. 5315 by informing FTA recipients of opportunities for private sector participation in public transportation projects, and includes the most current guidance for the Federal public transportation program. This final circular is the result of the notice issued by FTA that appeared in the Federal Register on March 6, 2013, entitled ``Joint Development: Proposed Circular''.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-18-09 for certain Honeywell ASCa Inc. emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) installed on various transport category airplanes. AD 2013-18-09 required various one-time general visual inspections of the ELT transmitter units (TUs), and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD corrects the manufacturer's name in the AD applicability and adds a source of approval for an installation. AD 2013-18-09 was prompted by a fire on a parked and unoccupied airplane; preliminary information indicated combustion in the area of the ELT TU. This new AD was prompted by the identification of an error in the applicability of AD 2013-18-09. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies of the battery wiring installation inside the TU, which could result in an electrical short and possible ignition source.

The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment about its intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew the following information collection:

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPV) do not fully comply with paragraph S6 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. FMVSS 205, Glazing Materials. MMNA has filed an appropriate report dated April 3, 2014, 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.

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.

FRA's final rule primarily amends the regulations implementing a requirement of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 that certain passenger and freight railroads install positive train control (PTC) systems governing operations on certain main line tracks. This final rule revises an existing regulatory exception to the requirement to install a PTC system for track segments carrying freight only that present a de minimis safety risk. The final rule also adds a new exception for PTC-unequipped freight trains associated with certain freight yard operations to operate within PTC systems. The final rule also revises the existing regulations related to en route failures of a PTC system, adds new provisions related to other failures of a PTC system, and amends the regulations on applications for approval of certain modifications of signal and train control systems. Finally, this final rule makes technical amendments to FRA's other signal and train control regulations and FRA's regulations governing highway-rail grade crossing warning systems.

The Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on a request by the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Airport Authority to change a portion of airport property from aeronautical to non-aeronautical use at the Elizabeth City Airport, Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The request consists of approximately 0.396 acres. This action is taken under the provisions of Section 125 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR 21).

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) will hold a public field hearing on September 4, 2014, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fargo, N.D., to provide interested persons the opportunity to report on service problems in the United States rail network, to hear from rail industry executives on their efforts to address service problems, and to discuss additional options to improve service.

These special conditions are issued for Airbus Model A350-900 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with a high-speed protection system that limits nose-down pilot authority at speeds above VC/MC, and prevents the airplane from performing the maneuver required under the Code of Federal Regulations. 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 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with high speed limiting. 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 approve the revision of the currently approved information collection: 49 U.S.C. 5335(a) and (b) National Transit Database (NTD). The guidance changes in this notice primarily relate to urbanized area transit providers.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an analysis of the impacts of extended service goal activities on Airbus Model A300 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of flight critical systems.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-500 airplanes. This AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes as an emergency AD. This AD requires an inspection and replacement as necessary of the barrel nuts at the horizontal stabilizer to vertical stabilizer attachment joint. This AD was prompted by 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 cracking of the barrel nuts at the horizontal stabilizer to vertical stabilizer attachment joint. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.