Department of Transportation February 8, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NHTSA withdraws its December 13, 2012 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) mandating installation of an Event Data Recorder (EDR) that meets NHTSA's current EDR standard in most light vehicles. At the time NHTSA published the NPRM, the agency noted that a significant number of light vehicles were being sold without EDRs, and said it believed a mandate was needed. Today, EDRs are installed on nearly all new light vehicles. In light of these changed circumstances, NHTSA believes that a mandate for today's EDRs is no longer necessary and withdrawal of the NPRM is therefore warranted.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-22-05, which applied to Engine Alliance (EA) GP7270, GP7272, and GP7277 turbofan engines with a certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) case installed. AD 2018-22-05 required removal of affected HPT stator cases (HPT cases) from service and their replacement with a part eligible for installation. This AD retains these requirements, reduces the compliance times for the removal and replacement of certain HPT cases, and identifies additional affected parts that must be removed and replaced. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a quality escape at a manufacturing facility involving unapproved welds on HPT cases. Subsequent additional findings suggested the need for an updated risk analysis, resulting in reduced compliance times for those parts and the identification of additional affected parts. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-16-07, which applied to certain General Electric Company (GE) GEnx turbofan engines. AD 2018-16-07 required removal and replacement of affected high-pressure turbine (HPT) stator cases (HPT cases). This AD retains those requirements, but reduces certain compliance times. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a quality escape at a manufacturing facility and a determination that the compliance time for the removal and replacement of certain HPT cases must be reduced. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Viking Air Limited Model CL-215-6B11 (CL-215T Variant) and CL- 215-6B11 (CL-415 Variant) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a supplier fabricated Teflon parts with a charge of 15 percent fiberglass content instead of the specified 5 percent fiberglass content. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed visual inspections of the aileron control system cables and flap interconnect system cables for damage or disconnected cables, corrective actions if necessary, and replacement of the Teflon parts in the aileron control systems, aileron/rudder interconnect, and aileron power unit beam. The replacement of these parts would terminate the repetitive inspections. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Newton Field, Jackman, ME, to accommodate new area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures serving the airport. Also, this action removes duplicative Class E airspace for Newton Field, ME. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at this airport. This action also updates the geographic coordinates of this airport to be in concert with the FAA's aeronautical database.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs) 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 safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain International Aero Engines (IAE) PW1100G-JM turbofan engine models with certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) 1st- and 3rd-stage disks installed. This AD was prompted by a report of manufacturing defects found on delivered LPT 1st- and 3rd-stage disks. This AD requires removing the LPT 1st- or 3rd-stage disk from service and replacing with a part eligible for installation. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model DHC-8-102, -103, and -106 airplanes; Model DHC- 8-200 series airplanes; and Model DHC-8-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that a certain modification to the auto relight system is incompatible with a certain beta lockout system modification and could result in de-activation of the auto ignition feature of the No. 2 engine. This AD requires an inspection of the auto ignition system and applicable rectification. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.