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

These special conditions are issued for Boeing Model 777-200 airplanes. This airplane, as modified by Flight Structures, Inc., will have novel or unusual design features associated with oblique-angled, single-occupant seats equipped with airbag systems. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for these design features. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards 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 Boeing Model 747-8 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with seats with inflatable lap belts. 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.

This final rule requires air carriers conducting domestic, flag, and supplemental operations to make available on their Web sites information to enable passengers to determine which child restraint system can be used on airplanes in these operations. Specifically, this final rule requires air carriers to make available on their Web sites the width of the narrowest and widest passenger seats in each class of service for each make, model and series of airplane used in passenger- carrying operations.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for a Buy America non-availability waiver for the procurement of a proposed innovative electronic platform track intrusion system (PTIDS). LACMTA seeks to procure the PTIDS for research and testing purposes to determine whether such a system will help to increase rail safety by identifying obstacles in the right-of-way. PTIDS uses radar transponder technology, such as sensors, to detect intrusions on rail tracks. If an object is detected, the sensors immediately send notification to personnel who may then stop the train and take appropriate action. LACMTA seeks a waiver for the PTIDS because it contains twelve components, six of which only are available from a single source and currently are not manufactured in the United States. FTA is providing notice of the non-availability waiver request and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the request. If granted, the waiver only would apply to this one procurement of the specific PTIDS components identified in this waiver request, and not to any future procurement by LACMTA or others. FTA also is providing notice that it will conduct a supplier scouting search for domestic alternatives to the foreign components via the process described in this Notice.

FMCSA announces the charter renewal of the MCSAC, a Federal Advisory Committee that provides the Agency with advice and recommendations on motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations through a consensus process. This charter renewal will take effect on October 1, 2015, and will expire after 2 years.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of fuel odor in the cabin. Fuel was found leaking from a cracked fuel line shroud in the left cargo compartment equipment tunnel. This proposed AD would require a check for the presence of fuel at the fuel shroud drain; a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for cracked fuel line shrouds; a pressure test of the drain system of the tail tank fuel shroud and a pressure test of the drain system of the aft fuselage fuel shroud to determine cracking; and corrective actions, if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fuel leaking from a cracked fuel line shroud, which could result in fuel accumulation below the cargo compartment floor and consequent increased risk of fire.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace at U.S. Coast Guard Station Neah Bay Heliport, Neah Bay, WA, to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures for developed at the heliport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the heliport.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model BO-105A, BO-105C, and BO-105S helicopters. This AD requires inspections to detect oil contamination in the main gearbox (MGB). This AD was prompted by initial findings from an accident investigation of a Model BO-105 helicopter, which indicated deterioration of the MGB caused by a contaminated oil supply. The actions of this AD are intended to detect oil contamination in the MGB, which could result in MGB deterioration, MGB failure, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-02-02 for 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 required 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. This new AD requires inspecting for movement and correct torque of the elevator control pivot bearing, inspecting the elevator control rod for damage and correct configuration, and replacing parts as necessary. This AD also requires a 10,000-hour time-in-service (TIS) repetitive replacement of the control column pivot bearing and elevator control rod bolt and requires replacement of the control column pivot bearing with the improved design by 35,000 hours TIS. This AD was prompted by loss of elevator control due to failure of the bolt attaching the elevator control rod to the elevator walking beam under the cockpit floor. 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 787-8 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of a potential latent failure of the fuel shutoff valve actuator circuitry, which was not identified during actuator development. This AD requires replacing certain engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel shutoff valve actuators with new actuators, and also requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to include a new airworthiness limitation into the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct latent failures of the fuel shutoff valve to the engine and auxiliary power unit (APU), which could result in the inability to shut off fuel to the engine and APU and, in case of certain fires, an uncontrollable fire that could lead to structural failure.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans, that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to a proposed highway project, the United States (US) 101 Express Lanes Project from Post Miles 16.00 to 52.55 on US 101, and Post Miles 23.0 to 24.1 on State Route 85 in the County of Santa Clara, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

This action modifies Class E surface area airspace designated as an extension to Class C airspace, and Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Portland International Airport, Portland, OR. After reviewing the airspace, the FAA found the Portland VHF omnidirectional radio range/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) and Laker non-directional beacon (NDB) has been decommissioned, thereby necessitating airspace redesign for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport. This action also corrects the geographic coordinates of the airport.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the fuselage skin repairs are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require an inspection to determine whether any fuselage external skin (doubler) repairs have been accomplished, an inspection for cracking of certain repaired external fuselage skin areas in the fuselage, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

This action affirms the order published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2015, regarding the application of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 193, Federal Contract Tower SAFER- FCT Program and the Air Traffic Organization Engineers and Architects, Staff Support Specialist (Series 2186) and Flight Procedures Team (hereinafter ``Region X'') ATSAP-X Program. The Notice proposed that safety information provided to the FAA under the SAFER-FCT and ATSAP-X programs be designated by an FAA Order as protected from public disclosure in accordance with the provisions of 14 CFR part 193, Protection of Voluntarily Submitted Information. The designation is intended to encourage persons to voluntarily provide information to the FAA under the SAFER-FCT and ATSAP-X, so the FAA can learn about and address aviation safety hazards and implement, as appropriate corrective measures for events or safety issues.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes, equipped with Rolls-Royce Model RB211-Trent 800 engines. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposed to require repetitive inspections of the thrust reverser (T/R) structure and sealant, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM was prompted by reports of T/R events related to thermal damage of the T/R inner wall. This action revises the NPRM by proposing to add different repetitive inspections requirements for T/R halves with a thermal protective system installed. This action also revises the NPRM by proposing to require installation of serviceable T/R halves, which would terminate the repetitive inspections in this SNPRM. This SNPRM also proposes to revise the inspection or maintenance program by incorporating new airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this SNPRM to detect and correct a degraded T/R inner wall panel, which could lead to failure of the T/R and adjacent components and their consequent separation from the airplane, and which could result in a rejected takeoff (RTO) and cause asymmetric thrust and consequent loss of control of the airplane during reverse thrust operation. If a T/R inner wall overheats, separated components could cause structural damage to the airplane, damage to other airplanes, or possible injury to people on the ground. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

This action makes a correction to the NPRM published in the Federal Register of August 27, 2015, proposing to establish Class E en route domestic airspace in the International Falls, MN area. Exclusionary reference to Canadian airspace was omitted from the regulatory text.

This action amends Class E Airspace at Mackall Army Airfield (AAF), NC, bringing current the regulatory text under the airspace designation for Mackall AAF, NC, by replacing the acronym ``NCB'' with ``NDB''. This is an administrative change to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

We propose to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2014-07- 04R1 for certain Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. AD 2014-07-04R1 currently requires repetitive inspections in the upper deck area for incorrectly installed clamps and chafing between the electrical wires and the hydraulic lines and replacing any unairworthy wires or hydraulic lines. Since we issued AD 2014-07-04R1, the manufacturer has developed an alteration that corrects the unsafe condition described in AD 2014-07-04R1. This proposed AD would require altering the wiring system in the upper deck area. These proposed actions are intended to prevent a fire in an area of the helicopter without extinguishing capability and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

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.

The FHWA announces a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for a Pilot On-the-Job-Training Supportive Services (OJT/SS) Program through the Ladders of Opportunity Initiative in the amount of $3 million. The FHWA seeks to award discretionary grants to State Departments of Transportation (State DOTs), or to other State agencies or local governments applying through their State DOTs as subrecipients, in award amounts of up to $500,000 each. The FHWA may choose to fund the program for more or less than the announced amount, including applying any future appropriated funds toward the projects proposed in response to this NOFA. This NOFA solicits proposals that promote innovative, nationally and regionally significant, highway construction workforce development programs that invest in America's economic growth and build ladders of opportunity into the middle class for American workers. The term ``highway construction workforce'' should be read broadly to encompass the workforce necessary to carry out activities eligible for funding under FHWA's Surface Transportation Program (STP) at section 133(b) of title 23, United States Code (U.S.C.). Applications should outline areas of upcoming demand in the State's highway construction workforce and ensure that proposed programs would train workers in skills to fill specific workforce shortages.

Consistent with Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, and in particular its emphasis on burden- reduction and on retrospective analysis of existing rules, a Request for Comments was published on November 28, 2014, to solicit input on State highway safety plan development and reporting requirements, which specifically refers to the development of the State Highway Safety Plan (HSP) and Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), and the reporting requirements of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) and HSP. Thirty-eight unique letters were received and this document provides a summary of the input from these letters. Given the lack of support for any significant changes in the highway safety plan development and reporting requirements, neither the FHWA nor NHTSA will change the HSP or SHSP development requirements nor change the HSIP or HSP reporting requirements at this time. However, the FHWA and NHTSA will consider the valuable information offered in the responses to inform the agencies' decisions on their respective highway safety programs.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-20- 01, for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2B16 (CL-601-3A, CL-601- 3R, and CL-604 Variants) airplanes. AD 2014-20-01 currently requires repetitive inspections for any fuel leak in the right-hand landing lights compartment, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2014-20-01 also provides for an optional replacement of the connector of the fuel boost pump canister of the auxiliary power unit (APU), which terminates the repetitive inspections. Since we issued AD 2014-20-01, we have determined that a terminating action for the repetitive inspections is necessary. This proposed AD would retain the repetitive inspections for any fuel leak in the right-hand landing lights compartment and the related investigative and corrective actions, and would require replacing the connector of the fuel boost pump canister of the APU. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fuel leaks in the right-hand landing lights compartment, which, in combination with the heat generated by the taxi lights and landing lights on the ground reaching the auto-ignition temperature of the fuel, could result in ignition of any fuel or fumes present in the right-hand landing lights compartment.

This action amends the name and geographic coordinates of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport at Burbank, CA. The Burbank-Glendale- Pasadena Airport has been renamed Bob Hope Airport and geographic coordinates are updated to reflect recent surveys of the airport.