Department of Transportation 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection, Vehicle Information for the General Public, and its expected burden. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the information collection was published on July 7, 2020. One comment was received in general support of this collection request.

This action proposes to establish United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-374 in the vicinity of Kotzebue, AK in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This action proposes to amend the VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal airways V-26, V-193, and V-285, and revoke the White Cloud, MI, domestic low altitude reporting point. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the White Cloud, MI, VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The White Cloud VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-05-16 for certain Pratt & Whitney Division (PW) PW4164, PW4164-1D, PW4168, PW4168-1D, PW4168A, PW4168A-1D, and PW4170 model turbofan engines. AD 2021-05-16 required initial and repetitive replacements of the low- pressure turbine (LPT) 4th-stage air sealing ring segment assemblies with parts eligible for installation. AD 2021-05-16 also required initial and repetitive dimensional inspections of the LPT case for bulging and, depending on the results of the dimensional inspections, repair or replacement of the LPT case. This AD was prompted by notification to the FAA of an inadvertent omission in the LPT 4th-stage air sealing ring segment assembly part numbers. This AD requires initial and repetitive replacements of the LPT 4th-stage air sealing ring segment assemblies with parts eligible for installation. This AD also requires initial and repetitive dimensional inspections of the LPT case for bulging and, depending on the results of the dimensional inspections, repair or replacement of the LPT case. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-05-02, which applied to all Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, and AS350D helicopters; Model AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters; and Model EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2021-05-02 required determining whether the helicopter has been operated in a severe environment since the last inspection of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws, an inspection of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws if the helicopter has been operated in a severe environment, and replacement of the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws if necessary, as specified in a European Aviation Safety Agency (now European Union Aviation Safety Agency) (EASA) AD, which was incorporated by reference. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-05- 02, reported inspection results and further investigation have confirmed that the report of failed main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws, which prompted AD 2021-05-02, was an isolated case which resulted from a maintenance mistake. Therefore, the FAA has determined that no unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on the main rotor hub-to-mast attachment screws on other helicopters in the fleet. Accordingly, AD 2021-05-02 is removed.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12/47E airplanes. 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 inward vent valves installed during production without chromate conversion coating on the bonding surface. This proposed AD would require modifying the inward vent valves and prohibiting installation of unmodified inward vent valves. 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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This proposed AD was prompted by the identification of certain parts needing maintenance actions, including life limits and maintenance tasks. This proposed AD would require incorporating into maintenance records requirements (airworthiness limitations), 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.

This action amends the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface at Frankfort Dow Memorial Field, Frankfort, MI. This action is the result of an airspace review caused by the decommissioning of the Manistee very high frequency (VHF) omnidirectional range (VOR) as part of the VOR Minimal Operational Network (MON) Program. The name and geographic coordinates of the airport are also being updated to coincide with the FAA's aeronautical database.