Department of Transportation August 20, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109C, A109K2, A109E, A109S, and AW109SP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack on the tail rotor (TR) mast. This AD requires an inspection of certain TR sleeve assemblies for discrepancies, an inspection of certain TR shaft assemblies for discrepancies, a repetitive measurement of the position of the bushing of the TR sleeve assembly in relation to the pitch change slider assembly, and corrective actions if necessary, 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.

A final rule was published in the Federal Register on February 23, 2021, amending Class D and E airspace at Smyrna Airport, Smyrna, TN. This action corrects the legal description of the Class D airspace by amending the southeastern bearing from the airport to 139[deg].

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.

On January 14, 2021, NHTSA published an interim final rule in response to a petition for rulemaking from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Alliance). The interim final rule provided that an inflation adjustment to the civil penalty rate applicable to automobile manufacturers that violate applicable corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards would apply beginning with vehicle Model Year 2022. The interim final rule also requested comment. In light of a subsequent Executive Order and the agency's review of comments, NHTSA is reviewing and reconsidering that interim final rule. Accordingly, NHTSA is issuing this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to consider the appropriate path forward and to allow interested parties sufficient time to provide comments.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a left-hand (LH) side stairway door that inadvertently opened in flight and tore off from its attachment fittings. This AD requires inspecting the locking safety mechanism of the LH side stairway door handle and depending on the results, corrective action. This AD also requires modifying that locking safety mechanism 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.