Department of Transportation April 14, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Whistleblowers are an important source of information on motor vehicle safety, as Congress recognized in enacting the Motor Vehicle Safety Whistleblower Act (Whistleblower Act). NHTSA is proposing rules, including forms, to implement the Whistleblower Act and seeking comment from interested stakeholders. The Whistleblower Act authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to pay an award, subject to certain limitations, to eligible whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original information relating to any motor vehicle defect, noncompliance, or any violation or alleged violation of any notification or reporting requirement, which is likely to cause unreasonable risk of death or serious physical injury, if the information provided leads to the successful resolution of a covered action. The Whistleblower Act also contains protections relating to the whistleblower's identity. This proposed rule will help to facilitate the Agency's identification of information provided by whistleblowers to ensure that whistleblowers receive the protections afforded under the statute. It also describes those limited situations where information that could reasonably be expected to reveal the identity of a whistleblower may be disclosed.

This action corrects a typographic error in the final rule published in the Federal Register on April 4, 2023, establishing Class E airspace at Delphi, IN.

This action amends Class D airspace and Class E surface airspace for the following Arkansas airports: Rogers Executive Airport- Carter Field (new name), Springdale Municipal Airport, and Bentonville Municipal Airport/Louise M Thaden Field (new name), as well as updating the airport's names and geographic coordinates.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus SAS A300 B4-600, B4-600R, and F4-600R series airplanes, and Model A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes (collectively called Model A300-600 series airplanes). This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 206A, 206A-1 (OH-58A), 206B, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and 206L-4 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a loss of tail rotor (TR) drive due to a failure of an adhesively bonded joint between an adapter and a tube on one of the segmented TR drive shaft (TRDS) assemblies. This AD requires determining if an affected TRDS is installed; repetitively inspecting the bond line for damage; repetitively performing a proof load test of the TRDS assembly; and depending on the results of the inspections or the proof load tests, removing an affected TRDS from service and replacing it with a serviceable TRDS. This AD also prohibits installing a TRDS unless it meets certain requirements, as specified in a Transport Canada 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 Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-12/47E airplanes. This AD was prompted by 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 corrosion of the actuator attachment lug areas underneath the anti-rotation pads of the main landing gear (MLG) and nose landing gear (NLG). This AD requires replacing certain MLG and NLG electro-mechanical actuators. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On March 15, 2023, Kelsian USA Inc., (Kelsian USA), a noncarrier, filed an application to acquire from AAAHI Holdings LLC (Seller), a noncarrier, the motor carrier assets and direct control of AAAHI Topco Corporation (Topco). Topco is a noncarrier that indirectly wholly owns and controls the following passenger motor carriers: First Class Transportation LLC, Ace Express Coaches LLC, Hotard Coaches, Inc., Lux Bus America Co., Industrial Bus Lines, Inc. d/b/a All Aboard America, and SureRide Charter Inc. d/b/a Sun Diego Charter Co. (collectively, Regulated Carriers). The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing the transaction, and, if no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.