Department of Transportation March 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces a meeting of the Medical Review Board Advisory Committee (MRB).

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-15- 01, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. AD 2017-15-01 required replacing the existing mode control panel (MCP) with a new MCP having a different part number. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2017-15-01, expands the applicability to include certain other airplanes, and adds a new requirement for certain airplanes to identify and replace the affected parts. This AD was prompted by a determination that the affected parts may be installed on airplanes outside of the original applicability of AD 2017-15-01. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-18-02, which applies to certain Austro Engine GmbH model E4 engines and to all Austro Engine E4P engines. AD 2018-18-02 requires replacement of the timing chain and amending certain airplane flight manuals (AFMs) to limit the use of windmill restarts only as an emergency procedure. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-18-02, Austro Engine GmbH revised the applicable Airworthiness Limitation Section (ALS) including the limitation required by AD 2018-18-02 for the timing chain subjected to a windmill restart. This proposed AD would require amendment of certain existing AFMs to limit the use of windmill restarts and remove the timing chain replacement requirement that exists in AD 2018-18-02. The timing chain replacement requirement in accordance with new life limits defined in the revised ALS will be proposed in a new and separate AD. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The information is needed in order for Maritime Administration officials to evaluate the underwriters and determine their suitability for providing marine hull insurance on Maritime Administration vessels. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

This notice modifies the pilot Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (``RRIF'') Express Program (``RRIF Express'') aimed at increasing access to the RRIF program by short line and regional railroads. Specifically, this notice: 1. Clarifies dates and responsibilities of applicants who have submitted RRIF Express Letters of Interest between January 13, 2020 and the date of this notice (Section DATES) 2. Offers an alternative to the current requirement for five years of audited financial statements, allowing for audits of the two most recent years' financial statements. If this option is selected, applicants must produce five years of (non-audited) financial statements plus a self-certification from the applicant that they will provide the most recent two years of audited financial statements within 60 days of submitting the LOI and supporting materials (Section IV(iv)). 3. Resets the 90-day application period to begin on the date that this revision is posted in the Federal Register (Section DATES) The original NOFO with modifications follows. The RRIF Express Program will be administered by the DOT's National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau (the ``Build America Bureau'' or ``Bureau''). The overall RRIF program finances development of railroad infrastructure, and is authorized to have up to $35 billion in outstanding principal amounts from direct loans and loan guarantees at any one time. The 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act \1\ appropriated $25 million in budget authority to the DOT to cover the cost to the Federal Government (``the Government'') of RRIF credit assistance (Credit Risk Premium (``CRP'') Assistance or ``CRP Assistance''). Additionally, the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act \2\ and the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act \3\ provided $1.96 million and $350,000, respectively (of which approximately $1 million remains available), to the DOT to fund certain expenses incurred by prospective RRIF borrowers in preparation of their applications for RRIF credit assistance (this approximately $1 million assistance, collectively, ``Cost Assistance''). Using existing authorities and these new budget authorities, the DOT has established the RRIF Express Program.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On December 30, 2019, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of incorrectly engaged lock washer tabs of the main landing gear (MLG) forward pintle bearing (FPB) at the forward face of the trunnion block. This AD requires detailed inspections of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) side MLG FPB nuts and lock washer tabs, and depending on findings, accomplishment of repetitive detailed inspections or corrective actions, as specified in a 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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that, under certain combinations of airplane configuration and flight conditions, higher than anticipated temperatures could lead to an engine fire warning nuisance message. This AD requires installation of Integrated Air Systems Controller (IASC) software version 5.0. 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 Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (Bell Canada) Model 429 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting a certain part-numbered curvic coupling for proper engagement and depending on the inspection results, inspecting for play, inspecting the curvic coupling teeth, inspecting the flapping bearing teeth, replacing parts, performing a rigging check, and reporting information. This AD was prompted by a report of disengaged teeth of a curvic coupling due to improper installation. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a meeting of the SOCAC.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new information collection. The collection involves information related to recreational flying under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft. The information collected will be used to recognize Community Based Organizations (CBOs), administer an aeronautical knowledge and safety test, establish fixed flying sites, approve standards and limitations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) weighing more than 55 pounds, and designate FAA Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs).

The FAA is considering a request from Ardmore Development Authority to change approximately 5 acres, located at 615 Grumman Street, in the Southwest quadrant of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the conversion of the airport property.

On March 10, 2020, FRA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would establish safety standards for the Texas Central Railroad (TCRR) high speed rail system. FRA is announcing three public hearings to provide members of the public an opportunity to provide oral comments on the proposed safety requirements.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Robinson Helicopter Company Model R44 and R44 II helicopters with an agricultural spray system installed by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR00286BO (spray system). This spray system is also known as a Simplex Manufacturing Company (Simplex) Model 244 spray system. This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight failure of the spray system elbow pump fitting (pump fitting). This AD requires repetitive inspections of the spray system pump fitting, corrective action if necessary, replacement of the spray system pump fitting, and installation of hose supports and a pump outlet cover. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS Model A330-941 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating premature aging of certain chemical oxygen generators. This AD requires repetitively removing the affected chemical oxygen generators and replacing them with serviceable parts, as specified in a 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 proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-23-04, which applies to all De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2010-23-04 requires repetitive detailed inspections of the nacelle attachment fittings for cracks, a conductivity inspection of the nacelle attachment fittings, and replacement if necessary. Since AD 2010-23-04 was issued, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to do a replacement with new nacelle attachment fittings. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2010-23-04, remove a certain inspection requirement for certain airplanes, and add a new requirement to replace the rear spar fitting and nacelle attaching structure with a new nacelle attachment fitting. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Model EC120B helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that a changed manufacturing process for the tail rotor blades (TRB) was implemented, affecting the structural characteristics of the blades and generating a new part number for these blades. This proposed AD would require re-identifying each affected TRB having a certain part number and serial number and establishing a life limit for the new part numbers. This AD also prohibits installation of any affected TRB identified with the old part number on any helicopter. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces that the Small Business in Transportation Coalition (SBTC) has applied for an exemption from the electronic logging device (ELD) requirements for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers traveling with domestic animals, in interstate commerce. SBTC also requests an exemption from the hours- of-service requirements, allowing these drivers to drive up to 13 hours during a driving shift and up to 16 hours from the beginning of the work shift, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. FMCSA requests public comment on SBTC's application for exemption.

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.

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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co KG (RRD) Trent 1000-AE3, Trent 1000- CE3, Trent 1000-D3, Trent 1000-G3, Trent 1000-H3, Trent 1000-J3, Trent 1000-K3, Trent 1000-L3, Trent 1000-M3, Trent 1000-N3, Trent 1000-P3, Trent 1000-Q3, and Trent 1000-R3 model turbofan engines. This AD requires initial and repetitive borescope inspections (BSI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades. This AD also requires replacement of HPT blades with parts eligible for installation when the HPT blades fail inspection or reach the new life limit. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer identifying that the HPT blades may fail prematurely. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action modifies VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airway V-18, in the vicinity of Talladega, AL. This action is necessary due to the planned decommissioning of the Talladega, AL, VOR/DME navigation aid which provides navigation guidance for segments of the route. Additionally, this action removes the compulsory reporting point requirement for the HEFIN, AL, navigation fix.