Department of Transportation April 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for a certain The Boeing Company Model DC-9-83 (MD-83) airplane. This AD requires installing fuel level float and pressure switch in-line fuses, and doing applicable wiring changes, on the left, right, and center wing forward spars, forward auxiliary fuel tank, and aft auxiliary fuel tank. This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that, during the assembly process, several gaps between the two parts of the girt bar fittings for the aft passenger doors were found to exceed tolerances. This AD requires an inspection of the gap between the two parts of the girt bar fittings on left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) aft passenger doors, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrect gaps between the girt bar fittings. Detachment of a girt bar could lead to the separation of the slide or slide-raft from the fuselage, making the emergency exit inoperative, which could impede an emergency evacuation.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Technify Motors GmbH (type certificate previously held by Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH) TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 reciprocating engines. This AD requires removal of affected fuel feed pumps. This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight shutdowns on TAE 125-02 engines. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the fuel feed pump, damage to the engine, and damage to the airplane.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the Research, Engineering & Development Advisory Committee meeting.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for M7 Aerospace LLC 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. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of multiple cracks in the steel horizontal tube of the cockpit control column. This proposed AD would require inspection of the cockpit control column horizontal tube with repair or replacement as necessary of the cockpit control column. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Automotive technology is at a moment of rapid change and may evolve farther in the next decade than in the previous 45-plus year history of the Agency. As the world moves toward autonomous vehicles and innovative mobility solutions, NHTSA is interested in facilitating the rapid advance of technologies that will promote safety. NHTSA is commanded by Congress to protect the safety of the driving public against unreasonable risks of harm that may occur because of the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment, and mitigate risks of harm, including risks that may be emerging or contingent. As NHTSA always has done when evaluating new technologies and solutions, we will be guided by our statutory mission, the laws we are obligated to enforce, and the benefits of the emerging technologies appearing on America's roadways. NHTSA has broad enforcement authority, under existing statutes and regulations, to address existing and emerging automotive technologies. This proposed Enforcement Guidance Bulletin sets forth NHTSA's current views on emerging automotive technologiesincluding its view that when vulnerabilities of such technology or equipment pose an unreasonable risk to safety, those vulnerabilities constitute a safety-related defectand suggests guiding principles and best practices for motor vehicle and equipment manufacturers in this context. This notice solicits comments from the public, motor vehicle and equipment manufacturers, and other interested parties concerning the proposed guidance for motor vehicle and equipment manufacturers in developing and implementing new and emerging automotive technologies, safety compliance programs, and other business practices in connection with such technologies.

NHTSA, on behalf of the Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS), is seeking comments from all sources (public, private, governmental, academic, professional, public interest groups, and other interested parties) on the planned revision of the 1996 Emergency Medical Services Agenda for the Future (EMS Agenda). FICEMS was created (42 U.S.C. 300d-4) by the Secretaries of Transportation, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security to, in part, ensure coordination among the Federal agencies involved with State, local, tribal or regional emergency medical services and 9-1-1 systems. FICEMS has statutory authority to identify State and local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and 9-1-1 needs, to recommend new or expanded programs and to identify the ways in which Federal agencies can streamline their processes for support of EMS. FICEMS includes representatives from the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Assistant Secretary of DefenseHealth Affairs, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), HHS Indian Health Service (IHS), HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HHS Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Health Affairs (OHA), DHS U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), NHTSA, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and a State EMS Director appointed by the Secretary of Transportation. On June 19, 2014, FICEMS unanimously approved a motion to proceed with a revision of the EMS Agenda, with a focus on data-driven approaches to future improvements. This followed an April 24, 2014 letter in which the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC) issued recommendations to NHTSA regarding revision of the EMS Agenda. NEMSAC's recommendations were as follows: A major revision of the EMS Agenda for the Future should be undertaken as soon as possible; The revision process should be guided by an external entity (not NEMSAC) that will ensure a consensus- and data-driven process with broad stakeholder representation. The goal should be to replicate the process used to develop the original EMS Agenda for the Future, published in 1996; The U.S. Department of Transportation should seek financial support and assistance from members of FICEMS to accomplish this task. The purpose of this notice is to solicit comments on the planned revision of the EMS Agenda, and to request responses to specific questions provided below. This is neither a request for proposals nor an invitation for bids.