Department of Transportation 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that nonconforming model year (MY) 2009 Ford F-150 trucks that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the MY 2009 Ford F-150 truck) and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

This action corrects an error in a final rule published in the Federal Register of October 19, 2015, by amending the magnetic bearing to a true bearing in the Class E surface area airspace description for Farmington Regional Airport, Farmington, MO.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Turbomeca S.A. ARRIEL 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1, and 2S2 turboshaft engines with modification TU34 or TU34A installed. This proposed AD was prompted by torque conformation box (TCB) failures. This proposed AD would require inspecting the TCB for correct resistance values and removing TCBs that fail inspection before further flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the TCB which could lead to loss of engine thrust control and damage to the aircraft.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a cracked upper cardan in the main landing gear (MLG). This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to reduce the life limits for the MLG upper cardan for certain installations. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the upper cardan in the MLG, which could result in MLG collapse and subsequent damage to the airplane and injury to occupants.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of spoiler and elevator computer (SEC) latent failures; an undetected loss of a SEC in flight will result in loss in redundancy for elevator control. This AD requires revising the After Start Normal Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures that will address this loss of redundancy. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew has procedures to address loss of redundancy of SEC 1 and SEC 2. A SEC failure, in conjunction with a loss of trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) electrical control due to jamming or rupture, could result in failure of an elevator and aileron computer, and consequent loss of elevator control and reduced control of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-535E4-37, RB211-535E4-B-37, and RB211-535E4- C-37 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a review of operational data that determined certain RR RB211-535E4-37 engines have been operated to a more severe flight profile than is consistent with the flight profile used to establish the cyclic life limits for the rotating parts. This proposed AD would require recalculating the cyclic life for certain engine life-limited rotating parts and removing those parts that have exceeded their cyclic life limit within specified compliance times. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of life- limited rotating parts, which could result in uncontained parts release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

PHMSA is extending the period for comments on the American Trucking Associations, Inc.'s (ATA) application for a preemption determination concerning the requirements of the New York City Fire Department for a permit to transport certain hazardous materials by motor vehicles through New York City, or for transshipment from New York City, and the fee for the permit.

These special conditions are issued for Embraer Model EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature associated with a seat configuration of side-facing seats positioned forward of aft-facing seats, and with a structural armrest between the side-facing and aft-facing seats. 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemptions from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for 99 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval. The FMCSA requests approval to extend an ICR titled, ``Annual Report of Class I and Class II Motor Carriers of Property (formerly OMB 2139-0004), whose new designation is 2126-0032. This ICR is necessary to ensure that motor carriers comply with FMCSA's financial and operating statistics requirements at chapter III of title 49 CFR part 369 entitled, ``Reports of Motor Carriers.'' On August 6, 2015, FMCSA published a Federal Register notice allowing for a 60-day comment period on this ICR. The agency received no comments in response to that notice.

This document announces receipt by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a petition for a decision that nonconforming 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL passenger cars (manufactured before September 1, 2006) that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL that was manufactured before September 1, 2006) and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that cracks were found on an adjacent hole of certain frames of the center wing box (CWB). This proposed AD would require removing fasteners, a rototest inspection of fastener holes, installing new fasteners; and if necessary, oversizing the holes and doing rototest inspections for cracks, and repairing any cracking that is found. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking on certain holes of certain frames of the CWB, which could affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of the Waybill Compliance Survey. This information collection is described in detail below. Comments are requested concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate; and (4) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility. Submitted comments will be summarized and included in the Board's request for OMB approval.

These special conditions are issued for the Honda Aircraft Company HA-420 airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature(s) associated with the use of a cruise speed control system. 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.

PHMSA is issuing an interim final rule to prohibit passengers and crewmembers from carrying battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices (e.g., e-cigarettes, e-cigs, e-cigars, e-pipes, e- hookahs, personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems) in checked baggage and prohibit passengers and crewmembers from charging the devices and/or batteries on board the aircraft. These devices may continue to be carried in carry-on baggage. This action is consistent with a similar action taken by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that incorporated this restriction into the 2015- 2016 Edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air by way of an addendum and is necessary to address an immediate safety risk. This interim final rule does not impact the existing rules on the transport of lithium batteries or other portable electronic devices that are transported for personal use in a passenger's checked or carry-on baggage. Because the actions taken in this interim final rule address a public safety risk, PHMSA finds that good cause exists to amend the regulations without advance notice and opportunity for public comment. For the reasons described below, public notice is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest. PHMSA encourages persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments containing relevant information, data, or views. We will consider all comments received on or before the closing date for comments. We will consider late filed comments to the extent practicable. This interim final rule may be amended based on comments received.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & Co. KG Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, and G103A TWIN II ACRO gliders. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a broken bell-crank installed in the air brake control system. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Tireco, Inc., (Tireco) has determined that certain Tireco Traction tires do not fully comply with paragraph S6.5(b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More than 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) and Motorcycles. Tireco has filed an appropriate report dated March 30, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA), has determined that certain Continental Tire T-type spare tires do not fully comply with paragraph S4.3(a) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 109, New Pneumatic and Certain Specialty Tires. CTA has filed an appropriate report dated August 25, 2015 and amended on October 1, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports.

The DOT invites the public and other Federal agencies to comment on a proposed information collection request concerning a pilot program to evaluate new processes and procedures for vendor invoice submission. DOT will submit the proposed information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)). This notice sets forth new processes and procedures for vendors that submit invoices and receive payments from DOT Operating Administrations (OAs). DOT's objective is to improve efficiency and reduce manual processing through the use of electronic invoicing for vendors. This electronic invoicing process is currently used by DOT's grantee community and the Department and would like to pilot an automated invoicing process utilized by DOT grantees that would allow invoices to be submitted electronically. Automating and simplifying the DOT vendor payment process will save both the vendor and the Federal Government time and expense that come with paper-based invoice submission and payment administration.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. TFE731-4, -4R, -5AR, -5BR, and -5R turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of certain interstage turbine transition (ITT) ducts failing to meet containment capability requirements. This proposed AD would require replacing certain ITT ducts. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the ITT duct, which could lead to an uncontained part release, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8-TC320 airplanes. This AD revises AD 2015-06- 02 R1, which required inspection to detect and correct the omission of steel washers at each isolator mount location. This AD retains the actions of AD 2014-06-02 R1 but corrects the AD number in the parenthetical of the compliance time in paragraph (f)(1) of the AD. This AD was prompted by reports of missing required engine mount fire seal washers, which could reduce the engine retention capability in the event of a fire. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive eddy current inspections for any cracking in the inspar upper skin, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a report that an operator discovered a crack in a certain section of the inspar upper skin, just forward of the rear spar on the right wing. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct any cracking in the inspar upper skin and rear spar upper chord, which could result in the inability of the structure to carry limit load, or result in a fuel leak, which could prevent continued safe flight and landing.