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

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-19-08 and AD 2018-19-02, which apply to Airbus Defense and Space S.A. Model C-212-CB, C-212-CC, C-212-CD, C-212-CE, and C-212-DF airplanes. AD 2018-19-02 requires repetitive inspections of the rudder pedal control system support box and shaft and applicable corrective actions; accomplishing those actions terminates the requirements of AD 2017-19-08. Since AD 2018-19-02 was issued, the FAA has determined that a modification must be done in order to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require repetitive inspections and applicable corrective actions; this proposed AD would also require a modification of the rudder pedal adjustment system; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-09-06, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-200 Freighter series airplanes; Model A330-200, and -300 series airplanes; and Model A340-200, and -300 series airplanes. AD 2011-09-06 requires repetitive inspections and operational checks of the spring function of the emergency exit door slider mechanism, applying corrosion inhibitor, and corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2011-09-06, the agency has determined that additional airplanes are affected by the unsafe condition, and certain compliance times can be extended. This proposed AD would retain the actions specified in AD 2011-09-06, with extended repetitive compliance times and additional airplanes in the applicability, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposal for certain Rolls- Royce plc (RR) RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 model turbofan engines. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by modifying the inspection threshold for ultrasonic inspections (UIs) of the affected low-pressure (LP) compressor blades for both standard operations and non-standard operations (NSO). This action also revises the service information references. The FAA is 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, the FAA is reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS 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); and Model A310 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new tests are necessary to address potential air leaks in the reservoir air pressurization lines. This proposed AD would require repetitive pressurization tests of the reservoir air pressurization lines for pipe rupture and leaks, and repair or replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces that it has received an application from Palmetto State Armory (PSA) requesting an exemption to increase the 100 air-mile radius in ``short-haul operations,'' to 150 air-miles for its drivers. PSA requests the exemption to permit two of its commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to record hours of servie on time records instead of record of duty status (RODS) when operating between 100 and 150 air miles. FMCSA requests public comment on PSA's application for exemption.

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 September 4, 2019. The collection involves the voluntary submission of information gained through the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) Program. FOQA is a voluntary safety program designed to improve aviation safety through the proactive use of flight-recorded data. The information collected will allow operators to use this data to identify and correct deficiencies in all areas of flight operations.

In accordance with the procedures governing the application for, and the processing of, special permits from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Material Regulations, notice is hereby given that the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety has received the application described herein. Each mode of transportation for which a particular special permit is requested is indicated by a number in the ``Nature of Application'' portion of the table below as follows: 1 Motor vehicle, 2Rail freight, 3Cargo vessel, 4Cargo aircraft only, 5Passenger-carrying aircraft.

In accordance with the procedures in our regulations, NHTSA is granting a petition from Hemphill Brothers Leasing Company, LLC (Hemphill), for a temporary exemption from a shoulder belt requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, ``Occupant crash protection,'' for side-facing seats on motorcoaches. The grant permits Hemphill to install Type 1 seat belts (lap belt only) at side- facing seating positions, instead of Type 2 seat belts (lap and shoulder belts). After reviewing the petition and the comments received, the agency has determined that the requested exemption is warranted to enable the petitioner to sell a vehicle whose overall level of safety or impact protection is at least equal to that of a nonexempted vehicle.

The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) established the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program that allows a State to assume FHWA's environmental responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, and compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Federal highway projects. When a State assumes these Federal responsibilities, the State becomes solely responsible and liable for carrying out the responsibilities it has assumed, in lieu of FHWA. This program mandates annual audits during each of the first 4 years of State participation to ensure compliance with program requirements. This notice finalizes the findings of the second audit report for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT).

This action modifies Class D airspace, Class E surface area airspace, and establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Felts Field Airport, Spokane, WA. After a biennial review, the FAA found it necessary to amend existing airspace and establish new controlled airspace for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations at this airport. This action makes a minor editorial change to the airspace designation and replaces the outdated term Airport/Facility Directory with the term Chart Supplement. The Class D and Class E surface areas are extended to the Spokane International Airport Class C surface area on the southwest and expanded 1.2 miles on the northeast. The Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is established to provide airspace for aircraft transitioning to and from Felts Field airport.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A318 and A319 series airplanes, Model A320- 211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes, and Model A321- 111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that cracks were detected on frame (FR) 16 and FR 20 web holes and passenger door intercostal fitting holes at the door stop fitting locations. This AD requires repetitive rototest inspections of the holes at the door stop fittings for any cracking, and corrective actions 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 (601), and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A and 601-3R Variants) airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the loss of all air data system information provided to the flightcrew, which was caused by icing at high altitudes. This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide the flightcrew with procedures for ``Unreliable Airspeed'' that stabilize the airplane's airspeed and attitude. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces actions taken by the FHWA that are final. The action relates to the creation of a reversible north-south transit and high occupancy vehicle lane connecting Mercer Street and SR 520 along the I-5 express lanes and other associated design refinements associated with SR 520, I-5 to Medina construction in the City of Seattle, King County, State of Washington.

FMCSA announces its decision to deny the joint application from HEPACO, LLC; Heritage Environmental Services, LLC; Lewis Environmental, Inc.; and Moran Environmental Recovery, LLC, for exemption from the hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for drivers engaged in providing direct assistance in actual and potential environmental emergencies. FMCSA analyzed the exemption application and the public comments received in response to the Agency's August 9, 2018, notice announcing receipt of the request. The Agency has concluded there is no basis for determining that the terms and conditions of an exemption would achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved absent such exemption.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 airplanes. This 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 AD requires 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, and A340-300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that revealed the wheel axles of the main landing gear (MLG) were machined with a certain radius and a determination that the life limit for the affected wheel axles of the MLG must be reduced. This AD requires an inspection to determine the part number and serial number of each MLG wheel axle and replacement of affected parts prior to exceeding the reduced life limits. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to rule and invites public comment for the release of approximately 297 acres of airport land, otherwise known as Parcel H, at Tucson International Airport (TUS), Tucson, Pima County, Arizona from the aeronautical use provisions of the Grant Agreement Assurances since the land is not needed for airport purposes. The land for proposed release consists of two parcels along the southern boundary of the abandoned Hughes Access Road, adjacent to the main airport airfield sand campus, and a portion of property which is used by Aerospace Parkway. The land will be sold to the City of Tucson, to accommodate future expansion of a public roadway, and to permit future compatible development adjacent to United States Air Force Plant 44. The airport will be compensated for the fair market value of the land. The use of the land for a roadway and industrial development represents a compatible land use that will not interfere with the airport or its operation, thereby protecting the interests of civil aviation.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) seeks information on whether and how particular cost-benefit analysis approaches might be more formally integrated into its rulemaking process.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-22-02 for certain Ipeco Holdings Limited (Ipeco) pilot and co-pilot seats. AD 2017-22-02 required modification and re-identification of the affected seats. This AD continues to require modification and re-identification of the affected seats. This AD also requires initial and repetitive inspections of the affected tracklock springs and, depending on the findings, replacement of the tracklock springs with a part eligible for installation. This AD was prompted by reports that the tracklock spring modification required by AD 2017-22-02 does not adequately address the issue of unexpected seat movement during takeoff and landing and the need to add additional seat part numbers (P/Ns) to the applicability. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This amendment adopts miscellaneous amendments to the required IFR (instrument flight rules) altitudes and changeover points for certain Federal airways, jet routes, or direct routes for which a minimum or maximum en route authorized IFR altitude is prescribed. This regulatory action is needed because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System. These changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace under instrument conditions in the affected areas.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This proposed AD would require replacement of the bonding jumpers on the auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel pump. This proposed AD would also require, for certain airplanes, installation of a second bonding jumper; an inspection of the override/jettison fuel pumps and transfer/jettison fuel pumps to determine if the bonding jumper has a one-piece braid or two-piece braid and replacement of the bonding jumper if necessary; and replacement of the bonding jumper on the electrical scavenge fuel pump. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model G-IV and Model GIV-X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a revision to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) based on fatigue and damage tolerance testing and updated analysis. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate updated inspection requirements and life limits that address fatigue cracking of principal structural elements. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.