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

FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under Supplementary Information. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on June 5, 2019. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This action proposes special conditions for The Boeing Company (Boeing) Model 737 series airplanes. These airplanes 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 inertia locking device (ILD) installed in passenger seats. 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an escapement from the wing spar terminal fitting supplier indicating that the engineering requirements provided by Boeing for controlling machine mismatch were incorrect for part faying surfaces, which can result in a reduced fatigue capability at the interface of the side of body (SOB) rib. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for fatigue cracking and applicable on- condition actions for the SOB rib webs where fastener locations attach the terminal fittings. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-26-01, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 series airplanes. AD 2010-26-01 requires installing a new insulation blanket on the latch beam firewall of each thrust reverser (T/R) half. Since AD 2010-26-01 was issued, the agency received a report that the T/R affected by AD 2010-26-01 has the potential to be installed on airplanes outside of the applicability of that AD. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of 2010-26-01. This proposed AD would also add airplanes to the applicability. For those airplanes, this proposed AD would require an inspection to determine if the installed T/R has an affected part number and, if an affected part number is found, installation of a new insulation blanket. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A319-111, -112, -115, and -131 airplanes, and Model A320-214 and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of the fracture of a main landing gear (MLG) sliding tube axle, and an investigation that determined the cause to be an incorrect repair. This AD requires a repetitive magnetic particle inspection (MPI) of affected MLG sliding tubes for discrepancies; a one-time Barkhausen noise inspection (BNI) or alternative non-destructive test (NDT) inspection, and a detailed visual inspection of affected MLG sliding tube axles for discrepancies; and corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. Accomplishing the BNI and applicable corrective actions, or replacing the affected parts, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive MPI. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-300ER and 777F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the fuselage stringers, stringer splices, and skin splice straps are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections of certain stringer splices and skin splice straps for any cracks, repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of certain stringers and stringer splices for any cracks, and applicable on-condition actions. The agency is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-251N and -271N airplanes; and Model A321- 251N, -253N, -271N, and -272N airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that during a calibration check, some torqueing tools used on the final assembly line have been found out of tolerance. This AD requires retorqueing each affected connection of sense and fire extinguishing lines within the pylon area to a correct torque value, as specified in an European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-02- 11, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-301, -321, -322, and -342 airplanes. AD 2018-02-11 requires contacting the FAA to obtain instructions for addressing the unsafe condition on these products, and doing the actions specified in those instructions. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-02-11, the agency received a report of additional cracking found on different airplane models, and of an update to the fatigue and damage tolerance analysis. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections of the horizontal stabilizer (HS) center box (CB) top skin integral flange area, and repair if necessary. This AD also expands the applicability to include additional airplane models. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action removes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Sioux Center Municipal Airport, Sioux Center, IA. This action is due to the closure of the airport requiring cancellation of the standard instrument approach procedures as they are no longer necessary.

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 an information collection. The Federal Aviation Agency is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a renewal of the existing Information Collection 2120-0768. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment. The FAA proposes collecting information related to requests to operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in controlled airspace pursuant to regulations contained in the code of federal regulations. FAA will use the collected information to make determinations whether to authorize or deny the requested operation of UAS in controlled airspace. The proposed information collection is necessary to issue such authorizations or denials consistent with the FAA's mandate to ensure safe and efficient use of national airspace.

This notice announces actions taken by TxDOT and Federal agencies that are final. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for these projects are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to an assignment agreement executed by FHWA and TxDOT. The actions relate to various proposed highway projects in the State of Texas. These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the projects.

This notice contains a summary of a petition seeking relief from specified requirements of Federal Aviation 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.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as ineffective firewall sealing for firewall wiring penetrations. The FAA is issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked flexible hoses of the oxygen crew and courier distribution system (OCCDS) on A330 freighter airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections, including functional testing, of the OCCDS and replacement of affected part(s) if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from 40 individuals who requested an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) prohibiting 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 operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) from operating CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny applications from 124 individuals who requested an exemption from the vision standard in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a CMV in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 126 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirements in one eye.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Automation, including automated vehicles, trains, vessels, infrastructure, and equipment, is increasingly being tested and introduced into the transportation system, including ports. At ports, various modes of transportation, such as vessels, rail and motor carriers, intersect to create a hub of freight transfer in global supply chains. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is interested in engaging in research that may help support strategies to safely implement automated transportation on and around ports. To that end, MARAD is publishing this RFI to solicit views from the public, including stakeholders (e.g., State and local agencies, vehicle, train, vessel, infrastructure, and equipment design, development and manufacturing industries, intelligent transportation systems industry, technology developers, related associations, etc.), on a range of issues related to the safety effects, opportunities, challenges and impacts of automated transportation in a port environment to inform potential research projects.

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 an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on April 22, 2019. The FAA uses the Information collected on form 7460-1 to determine the effect a proposed construction or alteration would have on air navigation and the National Airspace System (NAS) and the information collected on form 7460-2 to measure the progress of actual construction.

This notice announces the extension of the America's Marine Highway Funding Opportunity application deadline from 5 p.m. EDT on August 15, 2019 to 5 p.m. EDT on September 20, 2019. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, appropriated $7,000,000 to the Short Sea Transportation Program, commonly referred to as the America's Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The purpose of the appropriation is to make grants available to previously designated Marine Highway Projects that support the development and expansion of documented vessels, or port and landside infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department) will award Marine Highway Grants to implement projects or components of projects previously designated by the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) under AMHP. Only Marine Highway Projects the Secretary designated before the Notice of Funding Opportunity closing date are eligible for funding as described in this Notice.