Department of Transportation January 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board is publishing the Regulatory Flexibility Agenda for fall 2021.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-02-20, which applies to certain H[eacute]licopt[egrave]res Guimbal Model Cabri G2 helicopters. AD 2021-02-20 requires initial and repetitive inspections of certain rotating and non-rotating scissor fittings, and depending on the results, replacing the affected assembly. AD 2021-02-20 also prohibits installing certain main rotor hubs (MRHs) and swashplate guides unless the initial inspection has been accomplished. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-02-20, the MRH and swashplate guide have been redesigned to include a certain part- numbered scissor fitting. This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2021-02-20, require installation of newly designed parts, provide a terminating action for the initial and repetitive inspections, and revise the applicability. This proposed AD would also extend the repetitive inspection interval and prohibit installing certain MRHs and swashplate guides. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) on behalf of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) (collectively referred to as ``Toyota'') has determined that certain replacement seat belt assemblies manufactured by Marutaka, Tokai Rika Japan, Autoliv, NSK, Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition, TRQSS, Key Safety Restraint Systems, Inc., Tokai Rika Czech, BMW Group Headquarters, Subaru Corporation, and Mazda North America Operations, and sold to Toyota dealerships as replacement equipment do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, Seat Belt Assemblies. Toyota filed three noncompliance reports, two dated April 20, 2021, and the other dated May 4, 2021. Toyota subsequently submitted two petitions to NHTSA both dated May 14, 2021, for a decision that the subject noncompliances are inconsequential as they relate to motor vehicle safety. This notice announces receipt of Toyota's petitions.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fuselage crown stringer cracking between station (STA) 740 and STA 1000, stringer (S)-7 to S-12. This proposed AD would require repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of fuselage crown stringers and applicable on-condition actions. 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 certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of burned Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam, which is a material with fire-retardant properties that deteriorate with age. This proposed AD would require replacing certain BMS 8-39 foam pads with Nomex felt in certain areas, removing certain BMS 8-39 foam pads in a certain area (which includes a general visual inspection to find BMS 8-39 foam pads), and inspecting the corner seals to determine if the corner seals were replaced, and replacing affected corner seals. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of BMS 8-39 urethane foam seal in certain locations. 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 Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters; AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters; and Model SA-365C1, SA-365C2, SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters. This AD was prompted a report of increased vibration during flight. This AD requires the application of alignment markings on, and repetitive inspections of, the main rotor (MR) pitch rod upper links and, depending on findings, the accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, 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.

This action establishes Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface of the earth at Monticello Airport, Monticello, UT. The establishment of airspace supports the airport's transition from visual flight rules to instrument flight rule (IFR) operations and ensures the safety and management of IFR operations within the National Airspace System.

This notice announces actions taken by TxDOT and Federal agencies that are final. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for these projects are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to an assignment agreement executed by FHWA and TxDOT. The actions relate to various proposed highway projects in the State of Texas. These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the projects.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-22-20 which applied to certain Austro Engine GmbH E4 and E4P model diesel piston engines. AD 2021-22-20 required, for engines with an affected cylinder head, inspection of the high pressure pump (HPP) driving gear and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the HPP driving gear with a part eligible for installation. AD 2021-22-20 also required, for engines with an affected HPP driving gear, replacement of the HPP driving gear before further flight or within a certain number of flight hours, depending on the engine configuration and number of affected engines installed. This AD requires, for engines equipped with a certain cylinder head and HPP driving gear combination, removal, inspection, and replacement of the HPP driving gear before further flight and, depending on the inspection findings, replacement of the HPP shaft, cylinder head, camshaft gear, or inlet/outlet camshaft bushing. This AD also requires, for engines with an affected HPP driving gear, replacement of the HPP driving gear before further flight or within a certain number of flight hours, depending on the engine configuration and number of affected engines installed. This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the HPP driving gear and a subsequent determination that a batch of HPP driving gears may have been damaged during assembly. This AD was also prompted by an investigation which found that certain cylinder heads installed in combination with certain HPP driving gear on the same engine may cause damage to the HPP driving gear. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. This AD was prompted by significant changes, including new or more restrictive requirements, made to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) related to fuel tank ignition prevention and the nitrogen generation system. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes and Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that radio altimeters cannot be relied upon to perform their intended function if they experience interference from wireless broadband operations in the 3.7-3.98 GHz frequency band (5G C-Band), and a recent determination that this interference may affect multiple airplane systems using radio altimeter data, including the pitch control laws, including those that provide tail strike protection, regardless of the approach type or weather. This AD requires revising the limitations section of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate limitations prohibiting dispatching or releasing to airports, and approaches or landings on runways, when in the presence of 5G C-Band interference as identified by Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a public informational webinar on the scope of Section 114 of the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 (PIPES Act of 2020). The webinar will also cover PHMSA and state inspection plans to ensure compliance of operators' inspection and maintenance procedures to eliminate hazardous leaks, minimizes releases of methane (the predominant component of natural gas), and the replacement or remediation of facilities known to leak.

The FAA announces the special class airworthiness criteria for the Amazon Logistics, Inc. Model MK27-2 unmanned aircraft. This document sets forth the airworthiness criteria the FAA finds to be appropriate and applicable for the unmanned aircraft design.

This action changes the effective date of a final rule published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2021, amending airspace for several airports in the south Florida area. The FAA is delaying the effective date to coincide with the completion of ongoing airspace projects in the area.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. (Textron) Model 120 and 140 airplanes and all Model 140A airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of seat belt center bracket failures from overstress. This proposed AD would require determining if the seat belt center bracket is made of steel and replacing any non-steel brackets. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below is being forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following information collection was published on September 14, 2021. Only one supportive comment was received.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-23-05, which applies to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2020-23-05 requires inspecting the control rod attachment yokes (yokes) of certain main rotor (M/R) rotating swashplates (swashplates), establishing a life limit, a one-time inspection of stripped yokes, and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-23-05, the FAA has determined that a revised compliance time is necessary for swashplates that have accumulated less than seven years since the date of manufacture and that clarification is necessary for the condition that concludes with a dye penetrant inspection of the yoke. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2020-23-05, with a revised compliance time for a certain inspection. 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 certain The Boeing Company Model 737-800 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that insufficient sealing may allow water to enter the lower lobe electronic equipment (EE) bay through the main deck floor structure at the rigid cargo barrier (RCB), which could cause damage to EE bay line replacement units (LRUs) in the E5 rack. This proposed AD would require detailed inspections for the presence and condition of sealant at certain locations and applicable on-condition actions. This proposed AD would also require replacing the moisture barrier tape at a certain location, replacing the weather seal at a certain location, and installing seat track fillers. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Stemme AG TSA-M Model S6 and S6-RT gliders. This 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 AD requires establishing a life limit of 5 years for certain propeller gearbox tooth belts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action establishes Class E surface airspace to accommodate Area Navigation (RNAV) Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) serving Ocean Reef Club Airport, Key Largo, FL. This action also amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Ocean Reef Club Airport by updating the geographic coordinates of the airport and correcting the descriptor by replacing AL with FL. Controlled airspace is necessary for the safety and management of instrument flight rules (IFR) operations in the area.

The FAA is amending its policy for the prompt settlement of legal enforcement actions against individuals who the FAA has found violated regulations prohibiting any fraudulent or intentionally false statement on an application for a medical certificate or other document used to show compliance with any requirement for a medical certificate; reproduction of a medical certificate for fraudulent purposes; or alteration of a medical certificate. Revocation of all airman, ground instructor, and medical certificates is the appropriate sanction for such violations, and FAA regulations prohibit application for a new airman or ground instructor certificate for one year following the effective date of the order of revocation unless the order provides otherwise. The previous version of this policy allowed eligible individuals the opportunity to promptly receive an emergency order of revocation and, thereby, apply for a new airman or ground instructor certificate sooner than in the absence of that policy; however, that policy required a one-year wait period from the effective date of the order before an individual could apply for a new certificate. This amended policy will still ensure that eligible individuals promptly receive an emergency order of revocation, but the order will allow them the opportunity to apply for a new airman or ground instructor certificate after nine months from the effective date of the order.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes, Model CL-600-2C10 (Regional Jet Series 700, 701 & 702) airplanes, Model CL-600-2C11 (Regional Jet Series 550) airplanes, Model CL-600-2D15 (Regional Jet Series 705) airplanes, Model CL-600- 2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900) airplanes, and Model CL-600-2E25 (Regional Jet Series 1000) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on fuel clamshell couplings installed in the fuel tank, and a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require removing and replacing the fuel clamshell couplings on certain airplanes, and revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. 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.

FMCSA is proposing reductions in the annual registration fees States collect from motor carriers, motor private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies for the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement for the 2023 year and subsequent registration years. The proposed fees for the 2023 registration year would be reduced below the fees for 2022 by approximately 27 percent. The reduction in annual registration fees would be between $16 and $15,350 per entity, depending on the number of vehicles owned or operated by the affected entities.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-24-10, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes. AD 2017-24-10 requires repetitive inspections for any cracking of a certain fuselage frame inner chord; identification of the material of a certain fuselage frame inner chord for certain airplanes; and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-24-10, the FAA has received reports of new crack findings outside of the AD 2017-24-10 inspection area, which the existing inspections will not detect. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2017-24-10, would add new airplanes and would require new inspection types in certain areas, an expanded inspection area, additional inspections, and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.