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

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This AD was prompted by manufacturing design changes to certain metallic support panel assemblies installed in the flight deck, which resulted in insufficient electrical bonding of the panels and consequent insufficient electrical grounding of installed equipment. This AD requires modification of the electrical bonding of these assemblies to provide sufficient electrical grounding for equipment installed in the flight deck. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Ricon Corporation (Ricon), has determined that certain S- Series and K-Series Classic wheelchair lifts do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 403, Platform Lift Systems for Motor Vehicles. Because of Ricon's determination, Navistar, Inc., on behalf of IC Bus, LLC (Navistar), who installed the S-Series and K-Series Classic wheelchair lifts in their buses, determined that model year (MY) 2013-2019 IC buses do not comply with FMVSS No. 404, Platform Lift Installation in Motor Vehicles. Ricon and Navistar, collectively referred to as the ``the petitioners,'' filed the appropriate noncompliance reports and subsequently petitioned NHTSA for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of the petitioner's petitions.

Ricon Corporation (Ricon), has determined that certain Mirage, S-Series, and K-Series wheelchair lifts do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 403, Platform Lift Systems for Motor Vehicles. Because of Ricon's determination, various vehicle manufacturers who installed the S-Series, and K-Series wheelchair lifts in their motor vehicles determined that their motor vehicles do not comply with FMVSS No. 404, Platform Lift Installation in Motor Vehicles. Ricon and the various vehicle manufacturers, collectively referred to as the ``the petitioners,'' filed the appropriate noncompliance reports and subsequently petitioned NHTSA for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of the petitioners' petitions.

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 potential quality issue in the fuel pump that includes a locking key of the impeller drive shaft found loose in the cavity under the impeller. This AD requires replacement of affected fuel pumps, 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.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt nine individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. They are unable to meet the vision requirement in one eye for various reasons. The exemptions enable these individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirement in one eye.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 59 individuals from the vision requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce without meeting the vision requirements in one eye.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-25-01 which applies to certain Eurocopter France (now Airbus Helicopters) Models AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, AS332L1, AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. AD 2003-25-01 requires modifying and re- identifying the hoist operator control unit and replacing certain fuses. Since the FAA issued AD 2003-25-01, Airbus Helicopters has identified multiple errors in the applicable service information for the AS350-series and AS355-series helicopters. This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2003-25-01, revise the applicability, and propose to require using the corrected service information. This proposed AD would also require reporting certain information and prohibit the installation of an affected hoist until the required actions are accomplished. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to amend the Class D and Class E airspace and to revoke Class E airspace at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Cape Girardeau, MO. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Marion VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) navigation aid as part of the VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) Program. The name of the localizer would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. As published, two references to a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD number specified in the regulatory text are incorrect. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a proposal from the County of Jackson Airport Director to change certain portions of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, Medford, Oregon. The proposal consists of portions of certain parcels on the northeast and southeast parts of the airfield.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $10,052,572 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 and FY 2021 funding under the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning (TOD Pilot Program) (Federal Assistance Listing: 20.500). As required by Federal public transportation law and subject to funding availability, funds will be awarded competitively to support comprehensive planning associated with new fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects. FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that following an in-service engine shutdown during taxi, water was found to be dripping into the forward avionics bay; the water caused a short circuit and tripped a circuit breaker. This proposed AD would require replacing the forward galley slotted drain covers with solid blanking plates and modifying the associated drain tubing to block water. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FHWA is issuing this Notice to advise the public that we are rescinding the 2004 Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the development of the Long Island Rail-Truck Intermodal Facility (LIRTIF) on a portion of the Pilgrim State Hospital property, located in the Town of Islip, Suffolk County, New York.

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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A320-271N, A321-211, and A321-271N airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of missing overhead stowage compartment (OHSC) X-fixation brackets or brackets that were incorrectly installed during assembly. This AD requires a special detailed inspection of the OHSC X-fixation brackets for missing or incorrectly installed brackets, and installation or replacement the OHSC X-fixation brackets if necessary; or modification of each OHSC; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which will be incorporated by reference. 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 all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH MBB-BK 117 A-1, MBB-BK 117 A-3, MBB-BK 117 A-4, MBB-BK 117 B-1, MBB-BK 117 B-2, and MBB-BK 117 C-1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of sudden severe vibrations and a cracked open blade trailing edge caused by a loosened lead inner weight. This proposed AD would require inspections to determine if any bolted main rotor blades are installed, and replacement of the affected main rotor blades. 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 Airbus Helicopters Model SA341G and SA342J helicopters. This AD was prompted by the determination that a new life limit was necessary for certain tail rotor blades (TRBs). This AD requires replacing certain TRBs, re-identifying certain TRBs, and repairing certain other TRBs, 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 Surface Transportation Board (Board) invites public comments on a proposed procedural schedule for this proceeding. On February 25, 2021, CSX Corporation (CSXC), CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT), 747 Merger Sub 2, Inc. (747 Merger Sub 2), Pan Am Systems, Inc. (Systems), Pan Am Railways, Inc. (PAR), Boston and Maine Corporation (Boston & Maine), Maine Central Railroad Company (Maine Central), Northern Railroad (Northern), Portland Terminal Company (Portland Terminal), Springfield Terminal Railway Company (Springfield Terminal), Stony Brook Railroad Company (Stony Brook), and Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad Company (V&M) (collectively, Applicants) submitted a filing with the Board. The applicants are seeking approval for: (1) CSXC, CSXT, and 747 Merger Sub 2 to control the seven railroads controlled by Systems and PAR, and (2) CSXT to merge six of the seven railroads into CSXT. In Decision No. 1, served and published on March 25, 2021, the Board accepted the February 25 submission as a prefiling notification, thus allowing Applicants to supplement their submission with the requisite information for a ``significant'' transaction in accordance with the Board's regulations, between April 25 and June 25, 2021 (i.e., two to four months after the prefiling notice was submitted).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Austro Engine GmbH E4 and E4P model diesel piston engines. This AD was prompted by reports of an oil pump blockage on E4 model diesel piston engines. This AD requires replacing a certain oil pump as well as the oil filter and engine oil. 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 The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by crack indications found in the lower aft wing skin bolt holes where the flap tracks attach to the track support fitting. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the left and right wing, lower aft wing skin aft edge, at certain flap track locations, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes a Class E airspace area extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface over the State of North Dakota and removes the enroute domestic airspace areas at Harvey and Linton, ND. This action is at the request of Salt Lake Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Minneapolis ARTCC to simplify and close gaps in the existing class E airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface over the State of North Dakota; provide transitional airspace to support instrument flight rule (IFR) operations to and from the terminal and enroute environments within the state; and to improve air traffic control services over the state of North Dakota.

Mercedes-Benz AG (MBAG) and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA), (collectively, ``Mercedes-Benz''), have determined that certain model year (MY) 2020-2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS Class motor vehicles do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 Kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. Mercedes-Benz filed a noncompliance report dated October 30, 2020. Mercedes-Benz subsequently petitioned NHTSA on November 16, 2020, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of Mercedes-Benz's petition.