Department of Transportation 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 429 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of failed rivets between the tailboom skin and the tail rotor (TR) gearbox support assembly. This proposed AD would require visually inspecting the external surface of the TR gearbox support assembly, borescope inspecting or visually inspecting the inside of the tailboom for certain conditions, and performing a tactile inspection. Depending on the results of the inspections, this proposed AD would require removing certain rivets from service or repairing gaps in accordance with FAA-approved methods. This proposed AD would also require repeating these inspections within certain intervals. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-18-10, which applies to certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH (DAI) Model DA 42, DA 42 M-NG, and DA 42 NG airplanes. AD 2017-18-10 requires modifying the flap control system, repetitively inspecting the flap bell crank, and replacing the flap bell crank as necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-18-10, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to correct an unsafe condition on these products. This proposed AD would retain the actions required by AD 2017-18-10, expand the applicability, and prohibit the installation of certain flap bell cranks. 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 SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of slat transmission jams caused by frozen slat geared rotary actuators (SGRAs) at slat 5 track 12. This AD requires repetitive water drainage and plug cleaning of the left- and right-hand SGRAs having a certain part number installed on slat 5 track 12 with certain functional item numbers, 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 Federal Aviation Administration is requesting public comment on a request by Louisville Regional Airport Authority (LRAA), to retroactively release land (8.1 acres) at Bowman Field from federal obligations.

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 is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-19- 09, which applied to certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2017-19-09 required modifying the nose landing gear (NLG) shock strut assembly. This new AD requires repetitive lubrications of the trailing arm of the NLG. This new AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program to include new and revised airworthiness limitations (life limits for certain bolts). This AD was prompted by reports of a certain bolt being found missing or having stress corrosion cracking. 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 Embraer S.A. Model EMB-500 and EMB-505 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the operational envelope does not contain airspeed limitations and procedures for operating the airplane at static air temperatures below -54 [deg]C. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate new and revised airspeed limitations and procedures. 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 Viking Air Limited (type certificate previously held by Bombardier Inc.) Model DHC-3 airplanes with a certain wing strut assembly installed. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as fatigue damage of the wing struts. This proposed AD would require a bolt hole eddy current inspection of the lug plate holes, a visual and fluorescent dye penetrant inspection of the lug fittings, and a visual and eddy current surface scan inspection of the wing strut assemblies. This unsafe condition could lead to failure of the wing strut, which could result in an in-flight breakup of the wing. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

PHMSA has determined that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 50 percent during calendar year 2022. Operators are reminded that drug and alcohol (D&A) testing information must be submitted for contractors who are performing or are ready to perform covered functions. For calendar year 2021 reporting, the username and password for the Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) will be available in the PHMSA Portal.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-09-09, which applies to certain Airbus Model A318 series airplanes and Model A319 series airplanes; all Model A320-211, -212, -214, -216, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and all Model A321-111, -112, -131, - 211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2018-09-09 requires modifying the holes of the upper cleat to upper stringer attachments at certain areas of the left-and right-hand wings. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-09-09, additional affected configurations were identified and, for certain airplanes, it was determined that additional modification work and revised compliance times are necessary. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2018-09-09 and add airplanes, require different compliance times for certain airplane configurations, and, for certain airplanes, require additional modifications or reduce compliance times, 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.

This action announces February 15, 2022, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA if it will use its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 entitlement funds to accomplish Airport Improvement Program (AIP) eligible projects. Each sponsor has previously identified to the FAA such projects through the Airports Capital Improvement Plan process. This action further announces April 11, 2022, as the deadline for an airport sponsor to submit a final grant application, based on bids, for grants that will be funded with FY 2022 entitlements funds only.

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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Daher Aerospace (type certificate previously held by SOCATA) (Daher) Model TBM 700 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The unsafe condition that is the subject of the MCAI is ice accumulation on the oil cooler air inlet duct fin. This AD requires modifying the oil cooler air induction duct. 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 AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the determination that certain part-numbered fairings were never introduced into the main rotor (MR) tip lights kit design definition and were not certified for icing conditions. This AD requires replacing affected parts. This AD also prohibits, after modification of the helicopter as required, installing any affected part on any helicopter 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 various Model 234 and Model CH-47D helicopters. This AD was prompted by two reports of mechanical failures of the longitudinal cyclic trim actuator (LCTA). This AD requires determining the maintenance history, and hours time-in-service (TIS) and number of lift cycles for each LCTA since last overhaul, and then requires initial and repetitive overhauls of each LCTA based on that maintenance and service history. This AD also prohibits installing an LCTA unless it meets certain requirements. Finally, this AD requires reporting certain information to the FAA. 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 in-flight engine shutdowns (IFESs); investigation results indicated that this could be caused by high altitude climbs at higher thrust settings on engines with certain thrust ratings. This AD requires amending the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate a new limitation and revise certain normal procedures, 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.

This action proposes to establish Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Falmouth Airpark, Falmouth, MA, to accommodate area navigation (RNAV) global positioning system (GPS) standard instrument approach procedures (SIAPs) serving this airport. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

This action proposes to amend the Class E airspace at Olney, TX. The FAA is proposing this action as the result of an airspace review due to the decommissioning of the Olney non-directional beacon (NDB). The geographic coordinates of the airport would also be updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.

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 its review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval to revise an ICR titled, ``Motor Carrier Identification Report,'' which is used to identify FMCSA regulated entities, help prioritize the agency's activities, aid in assessing the safety outcomes of those activities, and for statistical purposes. This ICR is necessary to ensure regulated entities are registered with the DOT.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD- 500-1A11 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that some tie-rod assemblies may have been over-tightened during the installation of interior monuments (such as galleys, lavatories, and forward stowage or wardrobes). This proposed AD would require adjusting the tie-rod assemblies, as specified in a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD, 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 all Airbus SAS Model A300 B2-1C, B2K-3C, B2-203, B4-2C, B4-103, and B4-203 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations related to pylon maintenance are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for pylon maintenance, 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.