Department of Transportation October 26, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is announcing a pilot program to permit, on an experimental basis, direct delivery of Federal-aid funding of up to five Local Public Agencies (LPAs). These LPAs will be subject to Federal oversight, and the State DOT will be relieved of direct oversight and accountability for projects funded under the LEAP pilot program. The pilot program will be carried out for a period of 5 years (unless extended). It will be implemented in accordance with FHWA's experimental authority provided by the project flexibility authority granted under section 1420 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Twenty Sixth RTCA SC-225 Rechargeable Lithium Batteries and Battery Systems Plenary.

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 action proposes special conditions for the Boeing Model 777-200 airplane. This airplane, as modified by Aerocon Engineering Company (Aerocon), will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is an access hatch, installed between the cabin and the Class C cargo compartment, to allow in-flight access to the Class C cargo compartment. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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 action proposes special conditions for the Bombardier Inc. (Bombardier) Model BD-700-2A12 and BD-700-2A13 airplanes. These airplanes will have novel or unusual design features when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. These features are associated with an aluminum-lithium fuselage construction that may provide different levels of protection from post-crash fire threats than similar aircraft constructed from traditional aluminum structure. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These proposed 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.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4074, PW4074D, PW4077, PW4077D, PW4084, PW4084D, PW4090, and PW4090-3 turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) hub during takeoff. This proposed AD would require an inspection to measure the surface condition of the aft side web/rim fillet of HPT 1st stage hubs and removal from service of hubs that fail inspection. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the HPT 1st stage hub, uncontained hub release, damage to the engine, and 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.

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.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-12- 12 for Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model EC130B4 and Model EC120B helicopters. AD 2014-12-12 currently requires inspecting and, if necessary, replacing parts of the sliding door star support attachment assembly. This proposed AD would expand the applicability and provide revised instructions for reinforcing the sliding door. These proposed actions are intended to prevent failure of the sliding door star support attachment, which could inhibit the operation of the sliding door from the inside, delaying the evacuation of passengers during an emergency.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 75-26-05 for Bell Helicopter Textron (Bell) Model 204B, 205A-1 and 212 helicopters. AD 75-26-05 required removing and visually inspecting each main rotor (M/R) blade and, depending on the inspection's outcome, repairing or replacing the M/R blades. This new AD requires more frequent inspections of certain M/R blades and applies to Model 205A helicopters. This AD does not require that helicopter blades be removed to conduct the initial visual inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect a crack and prevent failure of an M/R blade and subsequent loss of helicopter control.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model DC-6, DC-6A, C-118A, R6D-1, DC-6B, and R6D-1Z airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a fuel leak in a Model C-118A airplane that resulted from a crack in the wing lower skin. This proposed AD would require repetitive radiographic, electromagnetic testing high frequency (ETHF), and electromagnetic testing low frequency (ETLF) inspections for cracking of the wing lower skin, and repairs if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the wing lower skin, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the wing.