Department of Transportation June 24, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Transportation (the Department) invites public comments on a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve modifications to a currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR). The forms have been updated to reflect efficiencies in the application process adopted by the Department, provide clarifying information, and make the forms easier for applicants to use. The general process of applying for credit assistance is not changing; applications are still accepted on a rolling basis. The ICR continues to be necessary for the Department to evaluate projects and project sponsors for credit program eligibility and creditworthiness as required by law.

The FHWA, on behalf of Caltrans, is issuing this notice to announce actions taken by Caltrans that are final within the meaning of 23 U.S.C. 139(l)(1). The actions relate to the proposed Eastbound (EB) State Route 91 (SR-91) Atlantic Ave. to Cherry Ave. Auxiliary Lane Improvements Project on SR-91 at post mile R11.8 to R13.2 within the County of Los Angeles, State of California. Those actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the project.

FAA announces the renewal of the COMSTAC charter, a Federal Advisory Committee that provides information, advice, and recommendations to DOT and the FAA on the critical matters facing the U.S. commercial space transportation industry. This renewal will take effect the day of publication of this announcement, and will expire after 2 years.

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. This collection involves the information that each applicant for an aircraft dispatcher certificate or FAA approval of an aircraft dispatcher course must submit to the FAA. These applications, reports and training course materials are provided to the local Flight Standards District Office of the FAA that oversees the certificates and FAA approvals. The collection is necessary for the FAA to determine qualification and the ability of the applicant to safely dispatch aircraft. Without this collection of information, applicants for a certificate or course approval would not be able to receive certification or approval. The collection of information for those who choose to train aircraft dispatcher applicants is to protect the applicants by ensuring that they are properly trained.

The Board approves the third quarter 2021 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) and cost index filed by the Association of American Railroads. The third quarter 2021 RCAF (Unadjusted) is 1.134. The third quarter 2021 RCAF (Adjusted) is 0.472. The third quarter 2021 RCAF-5 is 0.445.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) (Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the identification of certain parts needing life limits and certification maintenance requirement (CMR) tasks. This AD requires establishing life limits and CMR tasks for various parts. Depending on the results of the CMR tasks, this AD requires corrective action. 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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and Model AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that, during a post-flight inspection of an in-service helicopter, a tail rotor slider assembly was found fractured, and the bushing and the actuator rod in the tail rotor servo were partially damaged. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the tail rotor slider assembly for corrosion and signs of circumferential refinishing and, depending on the findings, replacement of the tail rotor slider assembly with a serviceable part or repetitive inspections of the of the tail rotor slider assembly for corrosion and signs of circumferential refinishing, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) Model MBB-BK 117 D-2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a short circuit in a yaw trim actuator connector that occurred during production electrical tests. This AD requires replacing certain wire harness trim connector backshells (backshells), 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 FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of discrepant spoiler assemblies, which have the wrong splice bar installed and lack reinforcing doublers, and by reports that some splice bars were shipped for installation on Model 717-200 airplanes, although they were not eligible for installation on Model 717-200 airplanes and were identified incorrectly with the Model 717-200 splice bar part number. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the left- and right-wing inboard and outboard spoiler assemblies, for the correct configuration of the splice bar and doublers, and repair or replacement if necessary. 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 a report indicating that a crack was found on the splice angle flange that is attached to the station (STA) 540 bulkhead in the area between certain stringers. This AD requires repetitive surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections at the radius of the left- and right-side of the STA 540 bulkhead splice angle for any cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. 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 Saab AB, Support and Services Model SAAB 2000 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the left-hand main landing gear (MLG) collapsed after touchdown, causing severe damage to the airplane. This AD requires modifying the MLG hydraulic transfer valve, 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 FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-25- 29, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. AD 2016-25-29 required replacing the cargo compartment insulation blankets on the left and right sides with new insulation blankets that incorporate fire stops. This AD was prompted by a report of a fire in the bilge area of the cargo compartment that burned through the insulation blankets that were intended to prevent smoke from migrating behind the cargo compartment sidewall liners and upward into the main cabin. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2016-25-29 for certain airplanes. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability and requires a general visual inspection of the replacement insulation blankets to determine if the blankets are in serviceable condition and correctly installed, and applicable on- condition actions. For certain airplanes, this AD also requires an inspection to determine the insulation blanket part number installed; replacement of additional insulation blankets; and applicable on- condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.