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

FCA US LLC (f/k/a Chrysler Group LLC) (``FCA US'') has determined that certain model year (MY) 2017-2020 Dodge Charger Pursuit motor vehicles with Officer Protection Package (``OPP'') modules do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, Transmission Shift Position Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect and FMVSS No. 118, Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems. FCA US filed a noncompliance report dated November 13, 2020, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA on December 4, 2020, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of FCA US's petition.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (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. This notice invites comment on a proposed information collection project titled Trucking Fleet Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for Managing Mixed Fleets. It is a survey study that will assess the self-reports of approximately 2,000 survey respondents, including commercial motor vehicle (CMV) fleet managers, CMV sales personnel, State and Federal government personnel, industry engineers, researchers, and CMV drivers. The questionnaire is designed to collect baseline opinions of automated driving systems (ADS) before and after hands-on demonstrations with ADS technologies.

This action proposes to modify the Class E airspace, designated as a surface area, and the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Williston Basin International Airport, Williston, ND. The proposed airspace modifications support the establishment of new instrument procedures for runways 04 and 22. This action also proposes to update the geographic coordinates in the Class E2 and Class E5 text headers. This action would ensure the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations at the airport.

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 FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-04-15 for all Pratt & Whitney (PW) JT9D-3A, JT9D-7, JT9D-7A, JT9D-7AH, JT9D- 7F, JT9D-7H, JT9D-7J, JT9D-7Q, JT9D-7Q3, JT9D-7R4D, JT9D-7R4D1, JT9D- 7R4E, JT9D-7R4E1, JT9D-7R4E4, JT9D-7R4G2, JT9D-7R4H1, JT9D-20, JT9D- 20J, JT9D-59A, and JT9D-70A (JT9D) model turbofan engines. AD 2012-04- 15 required revisions to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the manufacturer's Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to include required enhanced inspection of selected critical life-limited parts at each piece-part opportunity. AD 2012-04-15 also required additional revisions to the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA for JT9D model turbofan engines. This AD requires revising the required inspections of selected critical life-limited parts specified in the ALS of the manufacturer's ICA and, for air carriers, to the existing continuous airworthiness air carrier maintenance program (CAMP). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This final rule adopts, without change, an October 22, 2020, interim final rule (IFR) amending Maritime Administration (MARAD) regulations governing admission to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). The amendments allow the MARAD Administrator to waive the requirement for USMMA applicants to have taken the College Board's Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Program (ACT) examination in the event of a State or national emergency. The ability to waive SAT and ACT requirements for prospective students is necessary to address testing disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to provide for future emergencies.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-12-13, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A320-212, -214, - 232, and -233 airplanes. AD 2017-12-13 requires repetitive low frequency eddy current inspections or repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections of the pocket radius at certain areas of the fuselage frame, and repair if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2017- 12-13, it was determined that cracks can initiate and develop between certain other fuselage frames of the pocket radii and additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would require new repetitive inspections at the left- (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides of the fuselage skin at certain frames for any cracking, and repair if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), 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 certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332C, AS332C1, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a yaw control failure that was the result of the disconnection of the tail rotor hub (TRH) pitch control rod from the tail rotor servo-control, which resulted from a seized TRH bearing. The TRH bearing had grease dissolving after contamination by leaked hydraulic fluid from the tail rotor servo-control that came through the TRH assembly boot. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for hydraulic leaks, corrective actions if necessary, and an optional modification which constitutes terminating action, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-15-12, which applies to certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Trent 1000 model turbofan engines. AD 2020-15-12 requires initial and repetitive ultrasonic or visual inspections of the intermediate-pressure compressor (IPC) stage 1 rotor blade root (front face), IPC stage 2 rotor blade root (front and rear face), and IPC shaft stage 2 dovetail post (front face), and removal of any cracked parts from service. AD 2020-15-12 also requires an inspection after asymmetric power and cabin depressurization events. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-15-12, the manufacturer introduced IPC stage 1 and stage 2 rotor blades in kitted sets, which terminate the need for initial and repetitive ultrasonic or visual inspections for certain IPC parts. This proposed AD would continue to require initial and repetitive ultrasonic or visual inspections of certain IPC parts until replacement of the IPC stage 1 and stage 2 rotor blades with redesigned IPC stage 1 and stage 2 rotor blades in kitted sets. The FAA is proposing 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.

The Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (STPD Program), often referred to as the ``NEPA Assignment Program,'' allows a State to assume FRA's responsibilities for Federal environmental review, consultation, and compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other Federal environmental laws, for railroad projects. When a State assumes these responsibilities, it carries out the assigned environmental review process, in lieu of FRA. The STPD Program requires annual audits for the first four years of the State's lead role in the program to ensure compliance with program requirements. This notice requests comments on FRA's first audit report of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) under the STPD Program.

This document announces the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) receipt of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2020-2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD Trucks (TKs) that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) with a GVWR range of 6,105-6,950 lbs., are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 2020-2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD TKs) and are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

This document announces the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) receipt of a petition for a decision that model year (MY) 2020-2021 GMC Sierra Trucks (TKs) that were not originally manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) with a GVWR range of 4,520-5,270 lbs, are eligible for importation into the United States because they are substantially similar to vehicles that were originally manufactured for sale in the United States and that were certified by their manufacturer as complying with the safety standards (the U.S.-certified version of the 2020-2021 GMC Sierra TKs) and are capable of being readily altered to conform to the standards.

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, 2020, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

Notice is being given that the FAA is considering a request from the Town of Fryeburg, ME to dispose of 2.0 Acres of land at Eastern Slopes Regional Airport, Fryeburg ME. The land was the site of the non-directional beacon located 10.2 nautical miles from the airport and was decommissioned and removed from the site. The land is no longer needed for aviation purposes and can be disposed without affecting future aviation needs of the airport. Ninety percent of the revenue generated by the disposal will be returned to the FAA and used for future airport grants.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-02- 19, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, -9, and - 10 airplanes. AD 2021-02-19 required repetitive general visual inspections for disengaged or damaged decompression panels of the bilge barriers located in the forward and aft cargo compartments, reinstallation of disengaged but undamaged panels, and replacement of damaged panels. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple incidents of torn decompression panels found in the bilge area, and the determination that additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2021-02-19 and revises the applicability by including additional airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces its decision to exempt seven 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 operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 737-900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of significant corrosion of electrical connectors located in the main landing gear (MLG) wheel well. This AD requires repetitive records checks to determine exposure to certain deicing fluids or repetitive inspections for corrosion of the electrical connectors, and corrective actions if necessary. 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 GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) H75-200, H80-100, and H80-200 model turboprop engines. This proposed AD was prompted by several reports of engine gas generator speed (Ng) rollbacks occurring below idle on GEAC H75-200, H80-100, and H80-200 model turboprop engines. This proposed AD would require an inspection of a certain part number (P/N) fuel control unit (FCU) and, if deficiencies are detected, replacement of the FCU with a part eligible for installation. 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702), CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550), CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705), CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), and CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports and a design review indicating that there could be possible corrosion on the main landing gear (MLG) outer cylinder at the interface with the gland nut on the shock strut installation and on the forward and aft trunnion pins in the MLG dressed shock strut assembly. This proposed AD would require detailed inspections for corrosion on the MLG outer cylinder assemblies, certain MLG dressed shock strut assemblies, and the MLG outer cylinder at the gland nut threads, thread relief groove, and chamfer; a detailed inspection for the presence of corrosion-inhibiting compound (CIC) on the MLG forward and aft trunnion pins and grease adapter assemblies; applicable corrective actions; application of primer, paint, and CIC as applicable; re-identification of certain part numbers; and marking of the MOD STATUS field of the nameplate of certain parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action proposes to establish Class E domestic en route airspace extending upward from 1,200 feet above the surface at Missoula, MT. This airspace would facilitate vectoring of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) aircraft and would properly contain IFR aircraft operating on direct routes under the control of Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) and Seattle ARTCC. The FAA is proposing this action to enhance the safety and management of IFR operations within the National Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) airplanes; Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes; Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes; Model CL-600- 2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes; and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that a new or more restrictive airworthiness limitation is necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a new or more restrictive airworthiness limitation. 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-500-1A10 and BD-500- 1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the failure of emergency locator transmitter (ELT) antennas. This AD requires repetitive replacements of the ELT antenna and repetitive inspections for damage of the exterior fuselage skin around the ELT antenna attachment area, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.