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

The FAA announces the submission deadline of May 19, 2016, for winter 2016 flight schedules at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Worldwide Slot Guidelines (WSG) and FAA airport level designations. The deadline coincides with the schedule submission deadline for the IATA Slot Conference for the winter 2016 scheduling season.

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

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.

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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model A318-112 airplanes, A319-111, -112, -115, -132, and -133 airplanes, A320-214, -232, and -233 airplanes, and A321-211, - 212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a quality control review on the final assembly line, which determined that aluminum alloy with inadequate heat treatment had been delivered and used on several structural parts. This proposed AD would require a one-time eddy current conductivity measurement of certain cabin, cargo compartment, and frame structural parts to determine if aluminum alloy with inadequate heat treatment was used, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and replace structural parts made of aluminum alloy with inadequate heat treatment. This condition could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations (49 CFR part 107, subpart B), notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Rosemount Aerospace Model 851AK pitot probes that were repaired by CSI Aerospace, Inc. that are installed on airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that certain pitot probes are indicating the wrong airspeed during flight in icing conditions. This proposed AD would require inspecting the airplane to determine the number of affected pitot probes installed and replacing the affected pitot probes. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports indicating that certain wing side-of-body stringer fittings have been installed with faying surface mismatch beyond the allowed machining tolerance. This proposed AD would require inspection of certain stringer fittings for faying surface mismatch common to the side-of-body rib chord, replacement if necessary, and replacement of the clearance fit fasteners common to the side-of-body fittings and upper side-of-body rib chord with tapered sleeve bolts. We are proposing this AD to prevent an unacceptable reduction of the fatigue life in the upper side-of-body rib chord. Associated fatigue cracks can reduce the structural capability to a point where it cannot sustain limit load, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all M7 Aerospace LLC Models 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. We received reports of failed elevator control rod ends due to corrosion and lack of lubrication. This AD requires initial and repetitive inspections and lubrication of the elevator control rod ends and bearings with replacement as necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Beach Airport, Beach, ND, to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its determination that the noise exposure maps submitted by the Susquehanna Regional Airport Authority for Harrisburg International Airport under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47501 et seq. (Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act) and 14 CFR part 150 are in compliance with applicable requirements.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. The information collected is used to collect, process and report Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) airborne and ground based observations by the public of drone behavior that they consider suspicious or illegal.

Volkswagen Group of America (Volkswagen) has determined that certain model year (MY) 2015-2016 Volkswagen passenger cars do not fully comply with paragraph S4.3(c) and S4.3(d) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. Volkswagen filed a report dated November 25, 2015, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Volkswagen then petitioned NHTSA under 49 CFR part 556 requesting a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all General Electric Company (GE) GEnx-1B64/P2, -1B67/P2, -1B70/P2, -1B70C/ P2, -1B70/75/P2, and -1B74/75/P2 turbofan engines with engine assembly, part number (P/N) 2447M10G01 or P/N 2447M10G02, installed. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a significant fan rub event. This proposed AD would require rework of the engine fan stator module assembly. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the fan blades and the load reduction device, loss of power to one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc. Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701, & 702) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by two in-service incidents of a loss of all air data information in the flight deck. This proposed AD would require a revision of the airplane flight manual (AFM) emergency procedures section to provide procedures to guide the crew on how to stabilize the airplane airspeed and attitude for continued safe flight when a loss of all air data information has occurred in the flight deck. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of control when a loss of all air data information has occurred in the flight deck.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of intergranular cracks on the front spar chord lugs of the outboard horizontal stabilizer. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of the front spar chord lugs and lug bores of the horizontal stabilizer, and repair if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the front spar chord lugs of the horizontal stabilizer. Such cracking could cause stabilizer instability, adversely affect controllability of the airplane, and adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane.

Through this NOI, FRA announces its intent to jointly prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) for the San Francisco to San Jose Section of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) System, Blended System Project (Blended System Project or Project). FRA invites the public and all interested parties to provide comments on the scope of the EIR/EIS, including the proposed purpose and need, the alternatives to consider, potential environmental impacts of concern, and methodologies for analysis of impacts. Through this NOI, FRA also rescinds its December 2008 NOI for the San Francisco to San Jose Section. FRA and the Authority will develop the EIR/EIS in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). FRA and the Authority will hold scoping meetings and outreach activities as part of the NEPA/CEQA process. Federal cooperating agencies for the EIR/EIS are the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from 7 individuals seeking exemptions from the Federal cardiovascular standard applicable to interstate truck and bus drivers and discusses the reasons for the denials. The Agency reviewed the medical information of each the individuals who applied for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) exemption. Based on a review of the applications and following an opportunity for public comment, FMCSA has concluded that the 7 individuals in the notice did not demonstrate they could achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained by complying with the regulation.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to renew the following information collection:

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is correcting a final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on March 16, 2016 (80 FR 14230). The document contained incorrect estimated total annual burden on respondents. This document corrects the estimated total annual burden hours for State Safety Oversight (SSO) Agencies and Rail Transit Agencies (RTA).

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA), on behalf of its member companies, has requested additions to and deletions from the list of motor carriers previously granted exemptions for the 2015 and 2016 Independence Day fireworks shows. Fifty-one APA members currently hold such exemptions from the prohibition on driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) after the 14th hour after the driver comes on duty. APA requests discontinuance of the exemption for 4 carriers, and new exemptions for 4 carriers, with the total therefore remaining at 51. The ``Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act'' (FAST Act) extended the expiration date of hours-of-service (HOS) exemptions in effect on the date of enactment of the FAST Act to 5 years from the date of issuance. This notice therefore extends to July 8, 2020, the exemption for the 47 APA members approved in 2015 that wish to retain the exemption. Finally, FMCSA seeks comment on the applications of 4 APA members not previously exempted from the 14-hour rule. Because the FAST Act also authorized new exemptions for a period of up to 5 years, the Agency proposes to grant these 4 motor carriers exemptions that would run through July 8, 2020, and terminate at the same time as the other 47 exemptions. The APA maintains that the terms and conditions of the limited exemption would ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt nine individuals from the regulatory requirement that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt eight individuals from the regulatory requirement that interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have ``no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition which is likely to cause loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a CMV.'' The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FRA announces the sixth meeting of the NECSC, a Federal Advisory Committee mandated by section 212 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). The NECSC is composed of stakeholders operating on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), and its purpose is to provide annual recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. NECSC meeting topics will include the following: Maintenance-of-way fatigue, presentations on the NEC's future and NEC construction projects, Tier III passenger equipment rulemaking, the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C\3\RS), Amtrak 160 mph waiver requests, split rail derails on track leading to the NEC, and a general discussion of safety issues.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking found at the left-side and right-side upper frames, at a certain area. This AD requires repetitive medium frequency eddy current (MFEC) inspections for cracking of the left-side and right-side upper frames, and repair (including open hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of fastener holes) if necessary. This AD also provides an optional preventive modification, which terminates the repetitive inspections at the modified location. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the upper frame, which can grow in size and result in a severed frame, leading to rapid decompression and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.