Department of Transportation July 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model ERJ 170 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports indicating that certain flight control electrical harnesses were routed incorrectly, providing inadequate separation from other electrical harness installations. This AD requires an inspection of certain flight control electrical harnesses for incorrect routing, and modifying any incorrect electrical harness installations, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference. 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 all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent 1000-A2, Trent 1000-AE2, Trent 1000-C2, Trent 1000-CE2, Trent 1000-D2, Trent 1000-E2, Trent 1000-G2, Trent 1000-H2, Trent 1000-J2, Trent 1000-K2, and Trent 1000-L2 engines. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracking and separation of certain low-pressure turbine (LPT) stage 1 blade assemblies. This proposed AD would require initial and repetitive inspections of affected LPT stage 1 blade assemblies for cracking or separation and, depending on the results of the inspections, reduction of the inspection interval or replacement of the LPT stage 1 blade set and disk, 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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-09-11 and AD 2022-21-12, which applied to all Fokker Services B.V. Model F28 Mark 0070 and 0100 airplanes. AD 2020-09-11 and AD 2022-21-12 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-21-12, new or more restrictive tasks and limitations have been introduced. This AD continues to require the actions of AD 2022-21-12, and also requires 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 incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-10-20, which applies to certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model ATR42-500 and ATR72-212A airplanes. AD 2021-10-20 requires revising the existing aircraft flight manual (AFM) and applicable corresponding operational procedures to update a systems limitation, limiting dispatch with certain equipment inoperative, performing an operational test of a certain contactor and an electrical test of a certain battery toggle switch, and performing corrective actions if necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-10-20, new procedures for modifying the wiring and replacing the battery toggle switch have been developed that would terminate the AD requirements. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2021- 10-20, and would require modifying the battery toggle switch wiring and replacing the battery toggle switch, and would revise the applicability to include additional airplanes, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces the FAA's intent to designate Horizon Instruments, Inc., Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. SA5842NW as abandoned and make the related engineering data available upon request. The FAA has received a request to provide engineering data concerning this STC. The FAA has been unsuccessful in contacting Horizon Instruments, Inc., concerning the STC. This action is intended to enhance-aviation safety.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-18-14, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A330-200 series, A330-200 Freighter series, A330-300 series, A330-800 series, and A330- 900 series airplanes. AD 2022-18-14 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-18-14, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2022-18-14, and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in two European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ADs, which are proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA announces that it has received a joint application from the training departments of Millis Transfer LLC (Millis Training Institute (MTI)); Heartland Express (Heartland Training Institute (HTI)); and Contract Freighter's Inc. (CFI) requesting an exemption from the entry-level driver training regulations requiring that a behind-the-wheel (BTW) training instructor have at least two years' experience driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) or two years' experience as a BTW CMV instructor, as set forth in the definition of behind-the-wheel instructor. MTI conducts training for all three companies and describes its trainer evaluation process as ``second to none.'' FMCSA requests public comment on the applicants' request for exemption.

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 Maritime Administration (MARAD) invites public comments on our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The proposed collection OMB 2133-0505 (Voluntary Tanker Agreement) is used to gather information from tanker operators who agree to contribute, either by direct charter to the Department of Defense or to other participants, tanker capacity as requested by the Maritime Administrator to meet the essential needs for the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products in bulk by sea. The public burden is being updated to include mailing costs for respondents to submit responses for this collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. A 60-day Federal Register notice soliciting comments on this information collection was published on May 5, 2023.

This action amends RNAV route T-277 in the vicinity of Point Lay, AK, due to the planned decommissioning of the Point Lay, AK (PIZ), Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB). The Point Lay, AK, NDB will be decommissioned as part of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

The Regulatory Agenda is a semiannual summary of all current and projected rulemakings, reviews of existing regulations, and completed rulemaking actions of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The Regulatory Agenda provides the public with information about DOT's planned regulatory activity for the next 12 months. This information enables the public to participate in the Department's regulatory process. The public is encouraged to submit comments on any aspect of this Regulatory Agenda.

This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-282 in the vicinity of Ruby, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

This notice announces final environmental action taken by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the Cajon Pass High-Speed Rail Project. The purpose of this notice is to advise the public of the time limit to file any claims that may challenge this decision and other Federal permits, licenses, and approvals for the project.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-19-22, which applies to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft Jetstream Series 3101 and Jetstream Model 3201 airplanes. AD 2017-19-22 requires incorporating BAE Systems' Corrosion Prevention and Control program into the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the existing instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) for your airplane, which adds new and more restrictive inspections for corrosion that include inspecting the door hinges/supporting structure and attachment bolts for the main spar joint and engine support, and the rudder hinge location on the vertical stabilizer, and applicable corrective actions. Since the FAA issued AD 2017-19-22, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the United Kingdom superseded the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to correct an unsafe condition on these products. This proposed AD would require revising the ALS of the existing ICA for your airplane. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is amending the regulatory definitions of certain air carrier and commercial operations. This final rule adds powered-lift to these definitions to ensure the appropriate sets of rules apply to air carriers' and certain commercial operators' operations of aircraft that FAA regulations define as powered-lift. The FAA is also updating certain basic requirements that apply to air carrier oversight, such as the contents of operations specifications and the experience applicable to certain management personnel. In addition, this final rule applies the rules for commercial air tours to powered-lift. This final rule is an important step in the FAA's integration of new entrant aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS).

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 unexpected pitch upset upon autopilot disconnect. This AD requires revising the Non-Normal Procedures section of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) associated with Auto Flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

On June 13, 2023, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) published in the Federal Register a request for information seeking comments on potential research and development areas of interest for the Advanced Research Projects AgencyInfrastructure (ARPA-I). That request established a 45-day comment period closing on July 28, 2023. DOT is extending the public comment period until August 11, 2023.

This draft Notice, as part of the FAA's implementation of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, would provide additional guidance regarding the process for applying for a new or amended type certificate (TC) for a transport category airplane. This guidance would facilitate the provision of safety critical information about the applicant's proposed design to the FAA.

This action establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) T-route T-386 in the vicinity of Fairbanks, AK, in support of a large and comprehensive T-route modernization project for the state of Alaska.

On July 19, 2023, FRA issued a Railworthiness Directive (Directive or RWD) to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Rail Services, LLC (SMBC). This document announces FRA's issuance of the RWD, RWD No. 2023-01, and its availability on FRA's website.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) requests applications from eligible candidates for one TSP operating agreement. The FY21 NDAA authorized the Secretary of Transportation to establish a fleet of active, commercially viable, militarily useful, privately owned product tank vessels of the United States. The fleet will meet national defense and other security requirements and maintain a United States presence in international commercial shipping. The FY22 NDAA made minor adjustments related to the participation of long-term charters in the TSP. This request for applications provides, among other things, application criteria and a deadline for submitting applications for the enrollment of one vessel in the TSP.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC) Model PW307D engines. This AD is prompted by a root cause analysis of an event involving an uncontained failure of a high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk, on an International Aero Engines AG (IAE) Model V2533-A5 engine, that resulted in high-energy debris penetrating the engine cowling and an aborted takeoff. This AD requires removing certain HPT 2nd-stage disks from service and also prohibits installation of certain HPT 2nd-stage disks on any affected engine. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMCSA proposes amendments to its Hazardous Materials Safety Permits (HMSPs) regulations to incorporate by reference the updated Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) handbook containing inspection procedures and Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC) for inspections of shipments of transuranic waste and highway route- controlled quantities (HRCQs) of radioactive material (RAM). The OOSC provide enforcement personnel nationwide, including FMCSA's State partners, with uniform enforcement tolerances for inspections. Currently, the regulations reference the April 1, 2022, edition of the handbook. Through this notice, FMCSA proposes to incorporate by reference the April 1, 2023, edition.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900 and -900ER airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the forward galley door cutout forward upper corner bear strap. It has been determined that the cracks were caused by high operating stresses in the fuselage skin door cutout corner area due to stress concentration at the door cutout. This proposed AD would require an inspection of the fuselage skin and the bear strap at the forward galley door cutout forward upper corner for existing repairs, and applicable related investigative and corrective inspections. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-05-03 for certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC225LP helicopters. AD 2021-05-03 required various inspections of a certain part-numbered left-hand (LH) engine fuel supply (fuel supply) hose and depending on the inspection results, reinstalling or removing the fuel supply hose from service. AD 2021-05-03 also required installing an improved part and prohibited installing an affected fuel supply hose on any helicopter unless it was installed by following certain procedures. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-05-03, there were reports of difficulties using an adjusting tool to install the improved fuel supply hose. This AD continues to require the actions of AD 2021-05-03, expands the applicability, expands the parts installation limitations, and requires using an improved adjusting tool and updated procedures. This AD also updates certain compliance times and clarifies certain requirements. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.