Department of Transportation January 26, 2016 – 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 2009 Buell 1125R, Ulysses XB, Lightning XB, and Blast motorcycles 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 2009 Buell 1125R, Ulysses XB, Lightning XB, and Blast motorcycles) and they are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA is seeking an extension of the following currently approved information collection. On December 28, 2015, FRA published a Notice in the Federal Register stating that FRA was submitting an Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for new Form FRA F 6180.164, Positive Train Control Implementation Plan (PTCIP) Template, under the PRA Emergency Processing procedures. See 80 FR 80876. On January 6, 2016, OMB granted FRA's request for Emergency Processing approval for a period of 180 days. FRA now seeks a Regular clearance (extension of the current approval from 180 days to three years) to continue this effort to assist railroads in submitting revised PTCIPs to FRA as Congress mandated under amendments to 49 U.S.C. 20157. Before submitting the ICR requirements for OMB clearance, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the ICR, as identified below.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves information required in an application to request Special Priorities Assistance. The information to be collected is necessary to facilitate the supply of civil transportation resources to promote the national defense. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.

This action proposes to remove Class D airspace at Pearson Field, Vancouver, WA. FAA Joint Order 7400.2K states that non-towered airports requiring a surface area will be designated Class E. Class E surface area airspace was established on December 10, 2015. The FAA is proposing this action due to the lack of an operating air traffic control tower at Pearson Field Airport, Vancouver, WA.

We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31-350 airplanes. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the fuel hose assembly and the turbocharger support assembly for proper clearance between them, inspecting each assembly for any sign of damage, and making any necessary repairs or replacements. The NPRM was prompted by a report of an engine fire caused by a leak in the fuel pump inlet hose. This action revises the NPRM by requiring the use of revised procedures in a new service bulletin. We are proposing this supplemental NPRM (SNPRM) to correct the unsafe condition on these products. 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.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain CFM International S.A. (CFM) CFM56-5B series turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by a corrected lifing analysis by the engine manufacturer that shows the need to identify an initial and repetitive inspection threshold for certain part number (P/N) turbine rear frames (TRFs). This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections of certain P/N TRFs on the low-pressure turbine (LPT) frame assembly. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the TRF on the LPT frame assembly, which could lead to engine separation, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318-111 and -112 airplanes; Model A319-111, -112, and - 115 airplanes; Model A320-214 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -211, -212, and -213 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked cadmium-plated lock nuts that attach the hinge to the fan cowl door. This AD requires inspecting to determine the serial number of each engine fan cowl door, inspecting for cracking of the hinge lock nuts of any affected door, and replacing the lock nuts if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the hinge lock nuts, which could result in separation of the hinge from the fan cowl door, in-flight loss of the door, and consequent damage to the airplane.

This rule amends, suspends, or removes 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 for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.