Department of Transportation December 8, 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

FRA and FTA (together ``the Agencies'') are jointly issuing this notice to adopt the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) nationwide programmatic Section 4(f) evaluations for certain transportation projects having a net benefit to Section 4(f) properties (Nationwide Net Benefit Programmatic Evaluation) and for certain transportation projects that use historic bridges (Nationwide Historic Bridges Programmatic Evaluation). These nationwide Section 4(f) programmatic evaluations would provide the Agencies with an alternative to the individual Section 4(f) evaluation process for demonstrating compliance with Section 4(f) requirements, as applicable. For proposed projects that do not meet the criteria for Section 4(f) exceptions or the criteria contained in the Applicability sections of the programmatic evaluations, the Agencies will prepare an individual evaluation or make a de minimis impact determination.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request for special permit received from the Colorado Interstate Gas Company, L.L.C. (CIG). The special permit request is seeking relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30-day comment period, PHMSA will review the comments received from this notice as part of its evaluation to grant or deny the special permit request.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-10, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes; and 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). AD 2019-03-10 requires repetitive detailed visual inspections of the main landing gear (MLG) leg components and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-03-10, it was determined that additional actions (including inspections, modifications, and checks) are needed to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions required by AD 2019-03-10. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would also require modification of the MLG hinge arm by installing improved MLG hinge arm/barrel pins; an out-of- roundness check of removed pins; repetitive inspections of any affected pins and the associated connecting rod bushes, and replacement of the MLG leg if cracked components are found; and installation of an improved spacer as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. 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 ATRGIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42 airplanes; and Model ATR72 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by in-service data which revealed that the minimum operating airspeeds in severe icing conditions, computed to provide adequate stall margins, do not provide sufficient margins to stall speeds at high bank angle while exiting severe icing conditions. This proposed AD would require revising the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to provide emergency procedures and limitations for operating in severe icing conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 205B helicopters which proposed to require reducing the life limit of certain tail rotor (T/R) blades and re-identifying certain T/R blades with a new part number (P/N). The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was prompted by flight testing and fatigue analysis results. This action revises the NPRM by adding additional T/R part numbers (P/Ns) to the proposed applicability. The FAA is proposing this 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.