Department of Transportation February 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) that proposed to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 72-14-08 R1 for Cessna Aircraft Company (now Textron Aviation Inc.) Models 310, 320, 401, 402, 411, and 421 airplanes. AD 72-14-08 R1 requires repetitively inspecting the fuel and oil flexible hose lines for leakage or evidence of any damaged or deteriorated hose assembly on the above-referenced airplanes and replacing any discrepant part. Since issuance of the SNPRM, the FAA has not received any reports of fuel and oil flexible hose lines that leak or are damaged and has determined that the repetitive inspections required by AD 72-14-08 R1 address the unsafe condition. Accordingly, the NPRM and SNPRM are withdrawn.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to all Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) S-76 model helicopters with a certain life raft deployment system (LRDS) installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SR09211RC. The NPRM was prompted by an incident that occurred where the handle bent prior to the life raft deploying, and this prohibited the crew from successfully deploying and using the life raft. It was determined that the handle in this incident was not manufactured to the approved Type Design. The NPRM would have required removing and replacing the pilot or co-pilot life raft deployment handle (handle) located on the left side of the ``broom closet'' of the helicopter. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA determined that, based on a review of the design approval holder's records, all of the handles have been replaced. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-09-14, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2020-09-14 requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to define a liquid-prohibited zone on the flight deck and provide procedures following liquid spillage on the center pedestal. AD 2020-09-14 also requires installing a removable integrated control panel (ICP) cover on the flight deck and further revising the AFM to include instructions for ICP cover use. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-09-14, a new, water-resistant ICP has been developed. This proposed AD would require installing a new, water-resistant ICP, which would allow removing the ICP protective cover and the AFM revisions, 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.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 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 10, 2020, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $180 million in competitive grants under the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program) (Federal Assistance Listing: 20.526). As required by Federal public transportation law, funds will be awarded competitively for the purchase or lease of low or noemission vehicles that use advanced technologies for transit revenue operations, including related equipment or facilities. Projects may include costs incidental to the acquisition of buses or to the construction of facilities, such as the costs of related workforce development and training activities, and project administration expenses. FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This AD was prompted by the in-flight loss of a sliding door. This AD requires inspecting each sliding door and replacing the upper rail or front roller or removing the front roller from service if necessary. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products.

The Federal Aviation Administration received written notice from the Alaska Department of Transportation (AKDOT) advising that infrastructure associated with Haines, Alaska Seaplane Base (3Z9) is permanently closed.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-19- 02, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model SA330J helicopters. AD 2020-19-02 required repetitively inspecting affected tail rotor (T/R) blades and depending on the inspection results, repairing or replacing the T/R blade. AD 2020-19-02 also prohibited installing an affected T/R blade unless it passed the inspections. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-19-02 and also clarifies the applicability, clarifies the affected T/R blades in the required actions, reduces a compliance time, and corrects the prohibition requirement. This AD was prompted by the determination that these corrections are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval, and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to extend an existing ICR titled, ``Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service Delivery.'' This ICR allows for ongoing, collaborative and actionable communication between FMCSA and its customers and stakeholders. It also allows feedback to contribute directly to the improvement of program management. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment before FMCSA submits its request to OMB.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final. This final agency action relates to a proposed highway project, the State Route (SR) 400 Express Lanes beginning from the North Springs Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) station in Fulton County and ending at 0.9 mile north of McFarland Parkway in Forsyth County, Georgia. The approximate length of the proposed project is approximately 16 miles. The FHWA's Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) provides details on the Selected Alternative for the proposed improvements.

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 Board is instituting a proceeding to determine the railroad industry's cost of capital for 2020. The decision solicits comments on the following issues: The railroads' 2020 current cost of debt capital; the railroads' 2020 current cost of preferred equity capital (if any); the railroads' 2020 cost of common equity capital; and the 2020 capital structure mix of the railroad industry on a market value basis.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 11 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) invites public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a currently-approved information collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes NHTSA's collection of information for its State Highway Safety Grant Program.

The FAA proposes to rule and invites public comment on the request to release and sell a 5.27 acre parcel of federally obligated airport property at the Malden Regional Airport & Industrial Park (MAW), Malden, Missouri, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 47107(h)(2).

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 FAA Regional Administrators' Offices and the FAA Noise Ombudsman will use the information voluntarily reported, on the occasion of a complaint, by the public in the FAA Noise Portal to prepare responses to their noise complaints or inquiries. The required FAA Noise Portal fields represent the minimum amount of information the FAA needs to address the public's noise complaint or question and includes: name, email, address or cross street and a description of the noise complaint or inquiry. It is important to know the person's name and email address to respond and track the complaint. The FAA will not respond to the same complaint from the same person more than once. The address or cross street is needed for the FAA to determine potential sources of the aircraft noise issues as most people complain about aircraft in the vicinity of their residence. The description is used to provide additional details for the FAA to better address the complaint or question.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in a rotating scissor fitting. This AD requires an initial and repetitive inspections of certain rotating and non-rotating scissor fittings, and depending on the results, replacing the affected assembly. This AD also prohibits installing certain main rotor hubs (MRHs) and swashplate guides unless the initial inspection has been accomplished. 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 A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that following accomplishment of tap tests on certain modified rudders, disbonding of the rudder was found close to the lightning protection plate. This AD requires inspections of the left- and right-hand rudder side shells for defects, and applicable 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 FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans that are final. The actions relate to a proposed highway project, I-10 Blythe Pavement Rehabilitation Project in the County of Riverside, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.