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

FRA announces the sixty-first meeting of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC or Committee), a Federal Advisory Committee that develops railroad safety regulations through a consensus process. The meeting will take place via videoconference.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135P3, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, and EC135T3 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of restricted collective lever movement caused by entanglement of the emergency flashlight strap with the cargo hook emergency release lever, causing the emergency flashlight to leave its seat. This proposed AD would require replacing each affected emergency flashlight with a serviceable part, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also prohibit installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a meeting of the SOCAC.

This action clarifies FAA policy regarding the existing accuracy requirements for the reported geometric altitude of the control station of a standard remote identification unmanned aircraft. The FAA describes one acceptable way producers of unmanned aircraft can meet the minimum performance requirement for the accuracy of the control station's reported geometric altitude. The FAA determined that this action is necessary to inform developers of means of compliance of one potential pathway to meet the performance requirement for the control station's reported geometric altitude.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Stemme AG TSA-M Model S6 and S6-RT gliders. This proposed AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a new version of the propeller gearbox tooth belt with a reduced life limit. This proposed AD would require establishing a life limit of 5 years for certain propeller gearbox tooth belts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document responds to a petition for reconsideration from Humanetics Innovative Solutions Inc. (HIS) concerning a November 3, 2020 final rule that amended NHTSA's regulation on anthropomorphic test devices to add design and performance specifications for a test dummy representing a 3-year-old child, called the ``Q3s'' test dummy. The Q3s is an instrumented dummy that can assess the performance of child restraint systems in protecting small children in side impacts. The petitioner asks for corrections to hole dimensions and tolerances in a few of the drawings of parts in the dummy torso, because they are in error. This final rule grants the petition and revises the drawing package, parts list, and procedures manual for assembling and inspecting the Q3s.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 430 helicopters. This AD was prompted by an in-flight failure of the main rotor (M/R) pitch link clevis (clevis) due to fatigue damage and excessive wear. This AD requires a visual inspection of the M/R clevis, rod end, and a certain part-numbered universal bearing, performing a purge grease, and performing a magnetic particle inspection of each M/R clevis. Depending on the visual inspection and magnetic particle inspection results, this AD requires removing certain parts from service, replacing certain parts, and performing additional actions. This AD also requires recurring inspections of each M/R clevis and each universal bearing. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) intends to establish a new system of records titled Employee Accommodations Files. This system allows DOT to collect, use, maintain, and disseminate the records needed to process, manage, maintain, and resolve reasonable accommodation requests from employees or applicants for employment based on a medical condition/ disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. This includes requests for a medical or religious accommodation to decline the COVID-19 vaccination. The information will be used to determine whether accommodations are legally required in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Michelin North America, Inc. (``MNA''), has determined that certain Michelin Primacy Tour A/S replacement passenger car tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles. MNA filed an original noncompliance report dated March 25, 2021, and subsequently, MNA petitioned NHTSA on April 7, 2021, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of MNA's petition.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-26-01, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and - 1041 airplanes. AD 2019-26-01 requires repetitive detailed inspections, and applicable corrective actions, and provides an optional modification that would terminate the inspections. Since the FAA issued AD 2019-26-01, a determination was made that a related production modification was not properly installed on certain airplanes. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2019-26-01, and, for certain airplanes, would add a one-time detailed inspection of the modification for proper installation, and applicable corrective actions if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Public meetings of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee (ACPAC).

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 Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on March 31, 2021. The collection is a part of the Federal Government-wide effort to streamline the process to seek feedback from the public.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus Defense and Space S.A. (Airbus) Model C212-CC/-CD/-CE/-CF/-DF/-DE airplanes. This airplane, as modified by Airbus Defense and Space, Inc., will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes. This design feature is the emergency lighting installation that contain rechargeable lithium batteries. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SP, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that a certain fastener type that penetrates the fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to the structure, and energy from a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit could cause arcing to occur at the ends of fasteners in the fuel tanks. This proposed AD would require, for certain airplanes, reconfiguring the clamps of certain wire bundles, applying sealant to certain fasteners that penetrate the fuel tank walls, installing cushion clamps and polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) sleeves, inspecting to determine if sealant was applied to certain fasteners, and applying sealant if necessary. This proposed AD would also require, for all airplanes, revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new, more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is revising a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would have applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, - 200CB, and -300 series airplanes. This action revises the NPRM by including additional airplanes that are also subject to the identified unsafe condition. Since this change would impose an additional burden over that in the NPRM, the FAA is requesting comments on this SNPRM.

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 FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) RB211 Trent 875-17, 877-17, 884-17, 884B-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 model turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by findings during engine overhaul of corrosion on the low-pressure compressor (LPC) front case assembly. This proposed AD would require inspection of the LPC front case assembly and, depending on the result of the inspection, accomplishment of the applicable corrective action(s), 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.

This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure procedures (ODPs) 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 safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of unusual flight instrument and engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) behavior. This proposed AD would require inspecting the left, center, and right electronic flight instrument system (EFIS)/EICAS interface unit (EIU) for certain serial numbers and replacement if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces actions taken by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) that are final. The actions relate to the Tier 1 EIS study associated with the Sonoran Corridor between I-19 and I-10, south of the Tucson International Airport in Pima County, Arizona. The public is advised that FHWA issued a ROD which signifies the conclusion of the Sonoran Corridor Tier 1 EIS study. The ROD is combined with the Tier 1 Final EIS prepared by FHWA and ADOT.

This notice announces actions taken by FHWA and other Federal agencies that are final. This final agency action relates to a proposed development of 7.5-mile multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail along the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC)-owned railroad corridor and parking lot improvements at two locations along Highway 1, in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, California. The FHWA's Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) provides details on the Selected Alternative for the proposed improvements.

PHMSA is revising the Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations to improve the safety of onshore gas gathering pipelines. This final rule addresses Congressional mandates, Government Accountability Office recommendations, and public input received as part of the rulemaking process. The amendments in this final rule extend reporting requirements to all gas gathering operators and apply a set of minimum safety requirements to certain gas gathering pipelines with large diameters and high operating pressures. The rule does not affect offshore gas gathering pipelines.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for a total of $2,000,000 in competitive cooperative agreement awards in fiscal year (FY) 2021 funds for projects that enhance mobility innovations for transit. Funds will be awarded competitively for projects that advance emerging technologies, strategies and innovations in passenger-centric mobility in two distinct areas. Of the total available funds, $1,000,000 is available to accelerate innovative mobility and is for projects to improve mobility and enhance the rider experience with a focus on innovative service delivery models, creative financing, novel partnerships, and integrated payment solutions; and $1,000,000 is available for projects to support the development of software solutions that facilitate the provision of integrated demand-response public transportation service that dispatches public transportation fleet vehicles through riders mobile devices or other means. Projects will be competitively selected based on criteria outlined in this notice. FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.