Department of Transportation 2020 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-07- 28, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC- 9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes. AD 2016-07-28 required repetitive eddy current high frequency (ETHF) inspections for any cracking in the left and right side center wing lower skin, and repair if any crack was found. This AD continues to require repetitive ETHF inspections for any cracking in the left and right side center wing lower skin, and repair if any crack is found. This AD also requires expanding the inspection area to include adjacent stringers with similar stress levels and to perform repetitive inspections with increased sensitivity for crack detection. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack at a certain stringer not addressed by AD 2016-07-28, and cracks at certain other stringers and associated end fittings, and skins in the center wing fuel tank where the stringers meet the end fittings addressed by AD 2016-07-28. 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 Airbus SAS Model A330-202, -203, -223, -243, -301, -321, - 322, -323, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes; and Model A340-200 and -300 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that the allowable load limits on the vertical tail plane could be reached and possibly exceeded in cases of multiple rudder doublet inputs. This proposed AD would require upgrading the flight control data concentrator (FCDC), associated flight control primary computer (FCPC), and flight warning computer (FWC), and activation of the stop rudder input aural warning (SRIW) device, 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 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant the Lytx Inc. (Lytx) application for a limited five-year exemption to allow its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to be mounted lower in the windshield on commercial motor vehicles (CMV) than is currently permitted. The Agency has determined that lower placement of the ADAS would not have an adverse impact on safety and that adherence to the terms and conditions of the exemption would achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety provided by the regulation.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) is adopting a final rule amending its railroad performance data reporting regulations to include chemical and plastics traffic as a distinct reporting category for the ``cars-held'' metric.

The FTA in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 Project in eastern Los Angeles County, California is being rescinded.

The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J helicopters that proposed to require replacing certain left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) hydraulic pumps. The NPRM was prompted by reports that bolts that attach the cover of the hydraulic pump were broken. This action revises the NPRM by expanding the applicability, changing the proposed requirements, and correcting nomenclature. Since this imposes an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, the FAA is reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these changes.

This action removes exclusionary language from the Final Rule published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2020 for Mountain Home Municipal Airport's Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface. If the exclusionary language remains in the Final Rule, the FAA's Aeronautical Information Service will be required to recalculate the airport's airspace boundaries whenever Mountain Home Air Force Base's Class D and E Surface areas are modified. However, the removal of the language does not affect the charted boundaries or operating requirements of the airspace.

The FHWA and the State of Utah, acting by and through its Department of Transportation (State), propose a renewal of the State's participation in the State Assumption of Responsibility for Categorical Exclusions. This program allows FHWA to assign to States its authority and responsibility for determining whether certain designated activities within the geographic boundaries of the State, as specified in the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), are categorically excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act. An amended MOU would renew the State's participation in the program. The MOU will be amended by incorporating the following changes: Clarifying that this assignment applies to highway projects; and including provisions for UDOT's use of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Transit Administration's (FRA) CEs for highway projects. In order to use FTA or FRA's CEs, UDOT will consult with FTA or FRA, as appropriate, and report to FHWA at the end of the calendar year the instances where it applied a CE using this provision.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model AW189 helicopters. This proposed AD would require various repetitive inspections of the main rotor (MR) damper. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of in- service MR damper failures and the development of an improved MR damper. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of the lead-lag damping function of the MR blade, possibly resulting in damage to adjacent critical rotor components and subsequent loss control of the helicopter. The actions of this proposed AD are intended to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain elevator power control unit (PCU) arm fittings have nonconforming fillet radii. This AD requires an inspection for affected elevator PCU assemblies, inspections of affected elevator PCU arm fittings for nonconforming fillet radii and cracks, replacement if necessary, and re- identification of the affected elevator PCU assemblies. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-03- 12, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2020-03-12 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to define a liquid-prohibited zone in the flight deck and provide procedures following liquid spillage on the center pedestal. This AD continues to require revising the existing AFM, and also requires installing a removable integrated control panel (ICP) cover in the flight deck and further revising the AFM to include instructions for ICP cover use, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that a removable integrated control panel (ICP) cover must be installed to prevent damage from spillage and that the existing AFM must be revised. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

PHMSA is withdrawing the January 18, 2017, ANPRM concerning vapor pressure for crude oil transported by rail. PHMSA's decision is based on comments received to the ANPRM, as well as an extensive study conducted by the Sandia National Laboratories which found that the vapor pressure of crude oil is not a significant factor in the severity of pool fire or fireball scenarios, and concluded that results of the study do not support creating a regulatory distinction for crude oils based on vapor pressure. In withdrawing the ANPRM, PHMSA is providing notice of its determination that the establishment of vapor pressure limits would not improve the safety of rail transportation of crude oil. Therefore, PHMSA is no longer considering vapor pressure limits for the transportation of crude oil by rail or any other mode. Furthermore, PHMSA is also providing notice that, after considering comments received to the ANPRM, it is no longer considering imposing vapor pressure standards for other unrefined petroleum-based products and Class 3 flammable liquid hazardous materials by any mode.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt 11 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 17 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 continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 13 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA corrects the State of domicile for one individual listed in its April 15, 2020, notice requesting comments on the receipt of applications from five individuals for an exemption from the prohibition in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) against operation of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) by persons with a current clinical diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or any other cardiovascular disease of a variety known to be accompanied by syncope (transient loss of consciousness), dyspnea (shortness of breath), collapse, or congestive heart failure. The Agency also extends the public comment period for that notice.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 11 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

PHMSA is publishing this notice to solicit public comments on a request from Texas Eastern Transmission, L.P. (TETLP) to renew a previously issued special permit. The special permit renewal request is seeking continued relief from compliance with certain requirements in the Federal pipeline safety regulations. At the conclusion of the 30- day comment period, PHMSA will evaluate the comments and the technical analysis of the renewal request, to determine whether to grant or deny the renewal.

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 rule and invites public comment on the release of land at the Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport (LBL), Liberal, Kansas.

Daimler AG (DAG) and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) collectively referred to as ``Mercedes-Benz,'' and Pirelli Tire, LLC (Pirelli), have determined that certain Pirelli P7 Cinturato RUN FLAT radial tires installed as original equipment in certain model year (MY) 2018-2019 Mercedes-Benz motor vehicles and sold as replacement equipment do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. Pirelli filed a noncompliance report dated February 25, 2019, and later amended it on March 15, 2019, and Mercedes-Benz filed a noncompliance report dated March 4, 2019. Pirelli subsequently petitioned NHTSA on March 18, 2019, and Mercedes-Benz subsequently petitioned NHTSA on March 27, 2019, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of Mercedes-Benz and Pirelli's petitions.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-17- 09, AD 2008-04-19 R1, and AD 2015-26-09; and terminating all requirements of AD 2018-18-05; which applied to ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-200, -300, and -320 airplanes. AD 2018-18-05 required updating the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations, and terminated the relevant requirements of AD 2000-17-09, AD 2008-04-19 R1, and AD 2015-26-09. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing 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.

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.

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.