Department of Transportation June 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FMCSA announces the granting of an exemption from the 30- minute rest break provision of the Agency's hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for certain commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers transporting bees. FMCSA has analyzed both the exemption application submitted by the California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) on behalf of its members and other agricultural organizations and the public comments received in response to the Agency's January 8, 2015, Federal Register notice. The Agency has determined that it is appropriate to grant an exemption to ensure the well-being of Nation's bees during interstate transportation by CMV. The exemption is consistent with the goals and strategies to protect the health of honey bees and other pollinators as stated in the ``Presidential Memorandum Creating a Federal Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators,'' issued on June 20, 2014. The exemption, subject to the terms and conditions imposed, will likely achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption. This exemption preempts inconsistent State and local requirements.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). The NPRM proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) that had applied to AlliedSignal oil scavenge pumps, part numbers (P/Ns) 101633-01 and - 02 and Rajay Inc. oil scavenge pumps, P/Ns 1025-1 and -2 installed on Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) IO-470 and TSIO-520 reciprocating engines and on Lycoming Engines, Inc., (Lycoming) IO-360, IO-540, and O-360 reciprocating engines. We have found no service difficulties with these model oil scavenge pumps when installed on the affected engines. Accordingly, we withdraw the proposed rule.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) PT6B-37A turboshaft engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of incorrect engine torque for PT6B-37A engines. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections until replacement of the No. 10 bearing, and eventual replacement of the No. 9 bearing, both located in the engine reduction gearbox (RGB) assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent axial migration of the No. 10 bearing in the engine RGB assembly, which could lead to engine overtorque, failure of the engine, in-flight shutdown, and loss of the rotorcraft.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) an exemption from the minimum 30-minute rest break provision of the Agency's hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemption enables all specialized carriers and drivers responsible for the transportation of loads that exceed normal weight and dimensional limitsoversize/ overweight (OS/OW) loadsand require a permit issued by a government authority, to be exempt from the 30-minute rest break provision in 49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)(ii). FMCSA has analyzed the exemption application and the public comments and has determined that the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions imposed, will achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of a new information collection. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on August 1, 2014. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at El Paso, TX. The closure of West Texas Airport has made this action necessary for continued safety and management within the National Airspace System. Additionally, the geographic coordinates for El Paso International Airport and Biggs Army Airfield (AAF) would be adjusted.

The Regulatory Agenda is a semiannual summary of all current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department. The intent of the Agenda is to provide the public with information about the Department of Transportation's regulatory activity planned for the next 12 months. It is expected that this information will enable the public to more effectively participate in the Department's regulatory process. The public is also invited to submit comments on any aspect of this Agenda.

The DOT invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for new information collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from 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 reinstatement of previously approved collections.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public's awareness of, and participation in, the FAA's exemption process. 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.

Automobili Lamborghini SpA (Lamborghini), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2008-2014 Lamborghini Aventador, Gallardo and Muricielago Coupe, Roadster and Spyder model passenger cars do not fully comply with paragraph S4.4(c)(2), of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. Lamborghini has filed an appropriate report dated May 23, 2014, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

Ferrari North America, Inc. (FNA) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2007-2009 Ferrari F430 passenger cars do not fully comply with paragraph S4.4(c)(2), of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems. FNA has filed an appropriate report dated July 16, 2014, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2006-15-08 for all Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-1, -2, -2UA, -3U, -3UW, -5, - 5A, -5AB, -5B, -6, -6A, -10, -10AV, -10GP, -10GT, -10P, -10R, -10T, - 10U, -10UA, -10UF, -10UG, -10UGR, -10UR, -11U, -12JR, -12UA, -12UAR, and -12UHR turboprop engines with certain Honeywell part numbers (P/Ns) of Woodward fuel control unit (FCU) assemblies, installed. AD 2006-15- 08 required initial and repetitive dimensional inspections of the fuel control drives for wear, and replacement of the FCU and fuel pump. This new AD requires initial and repetitive dimensional inspections of the affected fuel control drives and insertion of certain airplane operating procedures into the applicable flight manuals. This AD was prompted by reports of loss of the fuel control drive, leading to engine overspeed, overtorque, overtemperature, uncontained rotor failure, and asymmetric thrust in multi-engine airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel control drive that could result in damage to the engine and airplane.

This rulemaking proposes to relieve burdens on pilots seeking to obtain aeronautical experience, training, and certification by increasing the allowed use of aviation training devices. These actions are necessary to bring the regulations in line with current needs and activities of the general aviation training community and pilots.

These special conditions are issued for the Honda Aircraft Company model HA-420 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with mounting the engines on the wings in close proximity to the aft fuselage. 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.

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.

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.

Pursuant to the Federal pipeline safety laws, PHMSA is publishing this notice of special permit renewal requests that we have received from two natural gas transmission pipeline operators, seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. This notice seeks public comments on these requests, including comments on any safety or environmental impacts the renewal of these special permits would have. For each listed Special Permit renewal request, an Environmental Assessment is available in the respective docket for review and comment. At the conclusion of the 30- day comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the comments received and the technical analysis of the renewal requests to determine whether to grant or deny the renewal requests.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-02-02, which applies to certain Models SA26-AT, SA26-T, SA226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), and SA227-TT airplanes. AD 97-02-02 currently requires applying torque to the control column pitch bearing attaching nuts, inspecting the bearing assembly, inspecting the elevator control rod end bearing retainer/dust seals, and replacing or installing new parts as necessary. Since we issued AD 97-02-02, an operator experienced a complete loss of elevator control because of failure of the bolt attaching the elevator control rod to the elevator walking beam under the cockpit floor. This proposed AD would prevent loss of pitch control, which if not corrected, could result in loss of airplane control. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Avidyne Corporation (Avidyne) Integrated Flight Displays (IFDs) part number (P/ N) 700-00083-() loaded with software release 9.3.1.0 or earlier release (referred to as Model R910 inch), P/N 700-00171-() loaded with software release 9.2.5.0 or earlier release (referred to as Model R9 12 inch), and P/N 700-00182-() loaded with software release 10.0.3.0 or earlier release (referred to as Model IFD540). This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of all aircraft that incorporate the above referenced Avidyne IFDs. This AD requires incorporating an operational limitation into the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) or airplane flight manual supplement (AFMS). This AD was prompted by reports of Avidyne IFDs displaying incorrect course deviation indication information during GPS approaches (incorrect display of lateral deviations). We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of delamination damage to leading edge (LE) variable camber krueger (VCK) flaps. This AD requires repetitive inspections to detect delamination damage of the lightning strike applique (LSA) on certain LE VCK flaps, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct delamination damage to certain LE VCK flaps, which can reduce the lightning strike protection capability on certain LE VCK flaps and result in an uncommanded motion of the trailing edge flap system; such uncommanded flap motion, without shutdown of the trailing edge or leading edge flaps, could cause unexpected changes in lift, potentially resulting in asymmetric lift and loss of control of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of corrosion found during the manufacturing process for some oxygen pipe assemblies that are used to supply oxygen to the flightcrew. This AD requires an inspection to determine the batch number or installation date of the oxygen pipe assembly that is installed at the end of the right-hand crew distribution line, and, if necessary, replacement of the pipe. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion, which could lead to blocked or reduced oxygen supply to a flightcrew member during a decompression event or a smoke/ fire event in the cockpit. Under certain conditions, corrosion particles could increase the risk of fire in the cockpit.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain B/E Aerospace protective breathing equipment (PBE) that is installed on airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a compromise in the vacuum seal of the pouch that contains the PBE. This proposed AD would require inspecting the PBE to determine if the pouch has the proper vacuum seal. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.