Department of Transportation April 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are revising an earlier proposal for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model G-IV and Model GIV-X airplanes. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by proposing to require a later revision of the service information to update the life limits and inspection requirements in the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM). We are proposing this airworthiness directive (AD) to address the unsafe condition on these products. Since these actions would impose an additional burden over those in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each main rotor pitch link rod end bearing assembly (bearing) for wear and play. This AD was prompted by reports of worn bearings. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent an unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from nine individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against persons with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy or any other condition that is likely to cause a loss of consciousness or any loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to drive in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these individuals who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti-seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt three individuals from the requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) 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 who have had one or more seizures and are taking anti- seizure medication to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

This action establishes the FAA's policy for issuing air traffic control (ATC) authorizations to persons seeking to operate aircraft that are not equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance- Broadcast (ADS-B) Out equipment in ADS-B airspace after January 1, 2020.

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2005-20- 01, which applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2005-20-01 requires repetitive inspections of the vertical stiffeners at left buttock line (LBL) and right buttock line (RBL) 6.15 for cracks; and replacement of both stiffeners with new, improved stiffeners if any stiffener is found cracked. Since we issued AD 2005-20-01, we have received reports of cracks found in the left and right side keel beam upper chords when replacing vertical stiffeners. In addition, we have determined that the replacement stiffener installation degraded the fault current bonding path and could introduce an ignition source in the fuel tank in the event of an electrical hot short or a lightning strike. This proposed AD would require, depending on airplane configuration, replacing the vertical stiffeners at LBL and RBL 6.15 on the rear spar of the wing center section, installing angle and bonding jumpers, installing brackets, applying sealant, and applying paint. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.