Department of Transportation December 6, 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The FMCSA requests approval to revise and renew an ICR titled, ``Commercial Driver Licensing and Test Standards,'' due to an increase in the number of commercial driver's license records. This ICR is needed to ensure that drivers, motor carriers and the States are complying with notification and recordkeeping requirements for information related to testing, licensing, violations, convictions, and disqualifications and that the information is accurate, complete, transmitted, and recorded within certain time periods as required by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA), as amended.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that shimming requirements were not met during the assembly of certain structural joints, which can result in reduced fatigue thresholds of the affected structural joints. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of certain areas of the front spar pickle fork and front spar outer chord and repair of any cracking found. 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 Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-100-1A10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of erratic electrical system status on the push button annunciators (PBAs) and the engine instrument and crew alerting system (EICAS). This AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate procedures to be applied during erroneous electrical status indication conditions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-25-05 for all Hoffmann GmbH & Co. KG (Hoffmann) model HO-V 72 propellers. AD 2020-25-05 required amending the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) with abnormal propeller vibration instructions. AD 2020-25-05 also required visual inspection and non-destructive test (NDT) inspection of the propeller hub and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the propeller hub with a part eligible for installation. AD 2020-25-05 also required replacement of the propeller hub before exceeding 30 years since the date of manufacture. This AD was prompted by reports of cracks at different positions on two affected propeller hubs and subsequent manufacturer revision of the service information, which showed that the 30-year life limit of the propeller hub is no longer needed. This AD requires amending the existing AFM by inserting abnormal propeller vibration instructions, visual inspection and NDT inspection of the propeller hub and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the propeller hub with a part eligible for installation. 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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model A109E helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the center fuselage frame assembly in the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at station (STA) 1815 on the left- and right-hand sides. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the intersection of the lateral pylon and floor spar at STA 1815 for cracking and, depending on the findings, repair, 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 certain Learjet Inc. Model 45 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a fuel leak due to a cracked fuel line between the engine fuel control and the engine fuel flow meter. This AD requires replacing the existing fuel flow meter bracket assembly with a redesigned bracket assembly and reporting information to the FAA. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-16-07 R1, which applied to certain Reims Aviation S.A. (type certificate now held by ASI Aviation) Model F406 airplanes. AD 2015-16-07 R1 required inspecting the left-hand and right-hand rudder control pedal torque tubes and replacing with a serviceable part as necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2015-16-07 R1, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to correct an unsafe condition on these products. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2015-16-07 R1, expands the applicability, and requires repeating the inspections using updated procedures. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) is adopting a final rule establishing a new class exemption for emergency temporary trackage rights. The final rule also makes certain other related changes to the class exemptions for trackage rights and temporary trackage rights.