Department of Transportation 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD is intended to complete certain mandated programs intended to support the airplane reaching its limit of validity (LOV) of the engineering data that support the established structural maintenance program. This AD requires reinforcing the forward pressure bulkhead at a certain stringer on both the left-hand and right-hand sides, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the forward pressure bulkhead, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-18-12 for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. AD 2012-18- 12 required modifying the off-wing escape slide (OWS) enclosures on the left-hand (LH) side and right-hand (RH) side of the fuselage. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2012-18-12 and expands the applicability to all Airbus Model A318, A319, and A320 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that additional OWS part numbers have been affected. We are issuing this AD to prevent off-wing exits on the LH and RH sides of the fuselage from becoming inoperative. During an emergency, inoperative off-wing exits could impair the safe evacuation of occupants, possibly resulting in personal injuries.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Beechcraft Corporation Model BAe.125 Series 1000A and 1000B airplanes and Model Hawker 1000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which can result in high forward engine thrust even though the throttle is commanding reverse thrust. This AD requires installing kits that include relays, associated wiring, and a thrust reverser fail annunciator. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent stowage of the thrust reversers, which could cause a runway overrun during a rejected takeoff or landing, and consequent structural failure and possible injury to occupants.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 767-200, and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the frame-to-floor-beam joints and frames common to shear ties at certain locations of fuselage structure are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking of the frame inner chords and webs common to the floor beam joint and at frames common to the shear ties at certain sections on the left and right fuselage sides, and corrective action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the frame inner chords and webs common to the floor beam joint and at frames common to the shear ties at certain sections on the left and right fuselage sides, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A330-200, -200 Freighter, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, -300, -500, and -600 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that, due to significant differences among all airspeed sources, the flight controls will revert to alternate law, the autopilot (AP) and the auto-thrust (A/THR) will automatically disconnect, and the flight director (FD) bars will be automatically removed. Then, if two airspeed sources become similar while still erroneous, the flight guidance computers will display the FD bars again, and enable the re-engagement of the AP and A/THR. In some cases, however, the AP orders may be inappropriate, such as possible abrupt pitch command. This proposed AD would require a software standard upgrade (modification or replacement) of the three flight control primary computers (FCPCs). We are proposing this AD to prevent autopilot engagement under unreliable airspeed conditions, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-15-06 for certain Textron Aviation Inc. Models 175 and 175A airplanes (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company). AD 2008-15-06 required checking the airplane logbook to determine if the original engine mounting brackets had been replaced. If the original engine mounting brackets were still installed, the AD required repetitively inspecting those brackets for cracks and replacing any cracked engine mounting bracket until all four original engine mounting brackets were replaced. Replacing all four original engine mounting brackets terminated the actions required in AD 2008-15-06. Since we issued AD 2008-15-06, we have determined that the applicability needs to be changed to add one serial number and remove another. This new AD retains the actions required in AD 2008-15-06 and changes the Applicability section. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of First Meeting Special Committee 236, Standards for Wireless Avionics Intra-Communication System (WAIC) within 4200-4400 MHz.

The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of Nineteenth SC-223 Plenary Meeting Calling Notice, Internet Protocol Suit (IPS) and AeroMACS.

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 to renew a previously approved information collection. Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) is a program for the routine collection and analysis of digital flight data from airline operations, including but not limited to digital flight data currently collected pursuant to existing regulatory provisions. The FAA requires certificate holders who voluntarily establish approved FOQA programs to periodically provide aggregate trend analysis information from such programs to the FAA.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to the Interstate 66 Outside the Beltway project in Fairfax and Prince William Counties, Virginia. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

FMCSA corrects an error in its June 7, 2016, final rule ``Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles: Use of Seat Belts.'' The amendatory language in the final rule inadvertently limited the applicability of the requirement for drivers to use their seat belts to operators of property-carrying vehicles. Today's correction fixes the error such that drivers of passenger-carrying vehicles will continue to be required to wear their seat belts.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the allocation of $834,612,566 through the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program (Emergency Relief Program, Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance #20.527) for recovery projects to three FTA recipients with estimated damages that exceed the amounts of funding previously made available: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York, the New Jersey Transit Corporation, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Funds allocated in this notice are in addition to funds allocated on March 29, 2013 (78 FR 19357), May 29, 2013 (78 FR 32296), and November 5, 2014 (79 FR 65762), and brings the total amount of Hurricane Sandy Emergency Relief funds allocated by FTA to date to $10.088 billion. Of that amount, $5,196,184,125 has been allocated for emergency response, recovery, and rebuilding projects and $4,891,883,625 has been allocated for resilience projects, which are designed to protect transit systems in the Hurricane Sandy disaster area from damages associated with future storms. With this notice, FTA has now fully allocated all of the funding made available under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 (Appropriations Act, Pub. L. 113-2). FTA is allocating funds consistent with the requirements of the Appropriations Act, the FTA Emergency Relief Program 49 U.S.C. 5324, the Final Rule for the Emergency Relief Program, 49 CFR part 602, published in the Federal Register on October 7, 2014 (78 FR 23806), and all previously announced FTA policies and procedures for Hurricane Sandy Emergency Relief funding. In addition, this notice establishes a procedure for recipients to request the reallocation of funding previously allocated for resilience projects to fund eligible disaster recovery expenses in excess of the total amount of funding available from previous allocations, insurance payments, and the expected local cost share. Funds reallocated under this procedure must be used for disaster recovery expenses or be returned to FTA upon completion of the recovery effort. Reallocation requests are subject to the terms and conditions specified in this notice and must be approved by FTA. Unless specifically revised by this notice, all previously published program policies and requirements associated with Hurricane Sandy recovery and rebuilding funding remain in effect.

FMCSA announces its decision to grant exemption renewals to Illumination Fireworks, LLC and ACE Pyro, LLC (the applicants) from the prohibition on driving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) after the 14th hour after coming on duty. The applicants requested the exemption renewals for the period of June 28-July 8, for the next 5 years (2016- 2020 inclusive). The applicants were previously granted exemptions during the Independence Day periods of 2014 and 2015. The 5-year renewals will cover the drivers of approximately 50 CMVs employed by the applicants to stage fireworks shows celebrating Independence Day. The Agency has determined that the terms and conditions of the limited exemptions will ensure a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemptions.

This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a petition submitted to NHTSA under 49 U.S.C. 30162, requesting that the agency commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect related to motor vehicle safety in 2015 and 2016 Shasta Airflyte recreational vehicles. After a review of the petition and other information, NHTSA has concluded that all but one of the issues identified in the petition have been addressed through one of three other remedial actions. The one issue not addressed by another action was found not to represent an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. The agency accordingly has denied the petition. The petition is hereinafter identified as DP15-008.

This document corrects a final rule which replaces the existing process by which the Federal Aviation Administration (Agency or FAA) approves portable oxygen concentrators (POC) for use on board aircraft in air carrier operations, commercial operations, and certain other operations using large aircraft. The FAA currently assesses each POC make and model on a case-by-case basis and if the FAA determines that a particular POC is safe for use on board an aircraft, the FAA conducts rulemaking to identify the specific POC model in an FAA regulation. The final rule replaces the current process and allows passengers to use a POC on board an aircraft if the POC satisfies certain acceptance criteria and bears a label indicating conformance with the acceptance criteria. The labeling requirement only affects POCs intended for use on board aircraft that were not previously approved for use on aircraft by the FAA. Additionally, the rulemaking will eliminate redundant operational requirements and paperwork requirements related to the physician's statement. As a result, the rulemaking will reduce burdens for POC manufacturers, passengers who use POCs while traveling, and affected aircraft operators. The final rule also made conforming amendments to the Department of Transportation's (Department or DOT) rule implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) to require carriers to accept all POC models that meet FAA acceptance criteria as detailed in this rule.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the release of land at Waterloo Regional Airport, Waterloo, Iowa, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

By Federal Register notice (See 81 FR 24686-24687, April 26, 2016) the National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invited interested persons to apply to fill one current vacancy on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group (NPOAG) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). The notice invited interested persons to apply to fill the opening to represent environmental concerns. This notice informs the public of the person selected to fill that current opening.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces that the following U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (``Academy'') Board of Visitors (BOV) meeting will take place: 1. Date: July 13, 2016. 2. Time: 1:30 p.m. 3. Location: Capital Visitors Center, Washington, DC. Room to be determined. 4. Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of this meeting is to brief BOV members on the Academy Advisory Board's annual report to the Secretary of Transportation and the status of reaccreditation. 5. Public Access to the Meeting: This meeting is open to the public. Seating is on a first-come basis. Members of the public wishing to attend the meeting will need to show photo identification in order to gain access to the meeting location.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to the proposed I-395/Route 9 Transportation Study Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), located in the City of Brewer, and Towns of Holden, Eddington, and Clifton, Penobscot County, Maine. Those actions grant approvals for the project.

We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and Model EC225LP helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD immediately prohibits flight of all Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. This AD is prompted by an accident involving an EC225LP helicopter in which the main rotor hub (MRH) detached from the main gearbox (MGB). These actions are intended to prevent failure of the main rotor system and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A300 series airplanes; and Model A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This AD was prompted by a report of cracking of the lower tension bolt area at the rib one junction (both sides) of the lower wing. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the fasteners and of the fitting around the fastener holes at the frame (FR) 40 lower wing location, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct crack initiation of the fittings of the FR40 lower wing locations, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-12-04, for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2012-12-04 required repetitive external detailed inspections and nondestructive inspections to detect cracks in the fuselage skin along the chem-mill steps at stringers S-1 and S-2R, between station (STA) 400 and STA 460, and repair if necessary. This new AD requires a preventive modification of the fuselage skin at crown stringers S-1 and S-2R. This new AD also reduces the inspection threshold for certain airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that, for certain airplanes, the skin pockets adjacent to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) antenna are susceptible to widespread fatigue damage. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin panels at the chem-mill steps, which could result in sudden fracture and failure of the fuselage skin panels, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.

To comply with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, FRA is adjusting the minimum penalty, ordinary maximum penalty, and the aggravated maximum penalty that it will apply when assessing a civil monetary penalty for a knowing violation of the Federal hazardous material transportation laws or a regulation, special permit, order, or approval issued under those laws. The aggravated maximum penalty is available only for a violation that results in death, serious illness, or severe injury to any person or substantial destruction of property. In particular, FRA is increasing the minimum penalty for a training violation from $450 to $463; the ordinary maximum civil monetary penalty per violation from $75,000 to $77,114; and the aggravated maximum civil penalty from $175,000 to $179,933.