Department of Transportation March 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On December 14, 2023, Green Eagle Railroad, LLC (GER), a subsidiary of Puerto Verde Holdings (PVH), filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board (Board) for authority to construct and operate approximately 1.3 miles of new common carrier rail line (the Line) in Maverick County, Texas. The Line would extend from the United States/Mexico border to the existing Union Pacific Railroad (UP) connection at approximate UP milepost 31. The Line would be part of a larger project proposed by PVH, the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge (PVGTB Project), consisting of a new trade corridor for freight rail and commercial motor vehicles between Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, and Eagle Pass, Texas, United States. The Board's Office of Environmental Analysis (OEA) determined that the construction and operation of the Line has the potential to result in significant environmental impacts; therefore, the preparation of an EIS is appropriate pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In addition to the Line, the PVGTB Project in the United States includes an approximately 1.3-mile roadway and other infrastructure as described below. Only the Line requires licensing authority from the Board. The Line and the roadway would cross the Rio Grande River via two new bridges. Separately from the Board's final decision on GER's petition, the proposed bridges would require permits from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). USCG will participate as a Cooperating Agency in the EIS process.

Michelin North America, Inc. (MNA) has determined that certain Michelin X Works D tires do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, New Pneumatic Tires for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of More Than 4,536 kilograms (10,000) pounds, Speciality Tires, and Tires for Motorcycles. MNA filed a noncompliance report dated December 16, 2022, and January 11, 2023, and subsequently petitioned NHTSA (the "Agency") on January 10, 2023, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. This document announces receipt of MNA's petition.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating multiple findings of cracks in the fuselage skin common to the underwing longeron (UWL). This proposed AD would require external or internal (depending on configuration) inspections for any cracking of the left and right side fuselage skin common to the UWL, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-11-08, which applies to all Airbus SAS Model A330-841 and -941 airplanes. AD 2023-11-08 requires maintenance actions, including a high-pressure valve (HPV) seal integrity test, repetitive replacement of the HPV clips, revision of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM), and implementation of updates to the FAA-approved operator's minimum equipment list (MEL). Since the FAA issued AD 2023-11-08, the agency determined that the replacement intervals required by AD 2023- 11-08 must be reduced in order to address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2023-11-08 and would reduce the HPV clip replacement intervals, and would require, for certain airplanes, an additional revision of the existing AFM. This proposed AD would also limit the installation of HPV clips, 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) 2020-23- 04, which applied to certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 airplanes. AD 2020-23-04 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) and airplane maintenance manual (AMM) to include information pertaining to the fuel boost pump. This AD was prompted by a report of misassembled impellers on the shaft of the fuel boost pump during production. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-23-04 and requires inspecting affected fuel boost pumps for proper installation of the impeller shaft key, marking affected fuel boost pumps that pass that inspection, and replacing fuel boost pumps that fail. This AD also limits the installation of affected fuel boost pumps. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 for the renewal of an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on January 4, 2024. The collection involves information about requests for waivers from certain operational rules that apply to small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). The FAA uses the collected information to make determinations whether to authorize or deny the requested operations of sUAS. The information collected is necessary to issue such authorizations or denials consistent with the FAA's mandate to ensure safe and efficient use of national airspace.

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 November 22, 2023. The collection involves electronic information that is broadcast directly from certain unmanned aircraft, specifically standard remote identification unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft equipped with a remote identification broadcast module. The collection of this information in the remote identification message elements is necessary to comply with the FAA's statutory requirement to develop and implement standards for remotely identifying operators and owners of unmanned aircraft. The collection of this information will also provide airspace awareness to enable the FAA, national security agencies, and law enforcement entities to distinguish compliant airspace users from those potentially posing a safety or security risk.

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On January 25, 2024, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pratt & Whitney (PW) Model PW1519G, PW1521G, PW1521GA, PW1521G- 3, PW1524G, PW1524G-3, PW1525G, PW1525G-3, PW1919G, PW1921G, PW1922G, PW1923G, and PW1923G-A engines. This AD was prompted by an updated analysis of an event involving an International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1127GA-JM engine, which experienced a high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-7) separation that resulted in an engine shutdown and aborted takeoff. This AD requires performing an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage hubs, HPT 2nd-stage hubs, and HPC 8th-stage disks for cracks and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacing the HPT 1st-stage hubs, HPT 2nd-stage hubs, or HPC 8th-stage disks. This AD also requires accelerated replacement of certain HPC 7th-stage rotors, HPC 8th-stage disks, HPC rear hubs, HPT 1st-stage hubs, HPT 2nd-stage hubs, HPT 1st-stage air seals, HPT 2nd- stage air seals, HPT 1st-stage blade retaining plates, and HPT 2nd- stage blade retaining plates. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-15 for certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1100G series engines; and AD 2023-16-07 for certain IAE LLC Model PW1100G series engines and PW1400G series engines. AD 2022-19-15 required an angled ultrasonic inspection (AUSI) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) 1st-stage disk and HPT 2nd-stage disk, and replacement, if necessary. AD 2023-16-07 required an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub (also known as the HPT 1st-stage disk) and HPT 2nd-stage hub (also known as the HPT 2nd-stage disk) for cracks, and replacement, if necessary, which is terminating action for AD 2022-19-15. This AD was prompted by an investigation that determined an increased risk of powdered metal anomalies for all powdered metal parts in certain powdered metal production campaigns, which are susceptible to failure significantly earlier than previously determined. This AD retains the AUSI requirement for certain HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage hubs from AD 2023-16-07. This AD requires performing an AUSI of the HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage hub, high-pressure compressor (HPC) 7th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-7), and HPC 8th-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-8) for cracks, and replacing if necessary. This AD also requires accelerated replacement of the HPC IBR-7, HPC IBR-8, HPC rear hub, HPT 1st-stage hub, and HPT 2nd-stage hub. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The Board hereby gives notice of vacancies on RSTAC for a small railroad representative and a large shipper representative. The Board seeks nominations for candidates to fill these vacancies.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The Secretary of Transportation, as represented by the Maritime Administration (MARAD), is authorized to issue coastwise endorsement eligibility determinations for foreign-built vessels which will carry no more than twelve passengers for hire. A request for such a determination has been received by MARAD. By this notice, MARAD seeks comments from interested parties as to any effect this action may have on U.S. vessel builders or businesses in the U.S. that use U.S.-flag vessels. Information about the requestor's vessel, including a brief description of the proposed service, is listed below.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a hard landing event with substantial damage to the airplane, in which the angle of attack (AOA) limiter was engaged during the final approach phase in unstable air conditions and remained engaged until the airplane touched down on the runway. This AD requires revising the Limitations and Normal Procedures sections of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate new operational airspeed limitations, and flight control limitations and approach procedures when AOA limiter protection is engaged, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also requires inspecting records for instances of AOA limiter engagement during a certain phase of flight and reporting findings to the FAA. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This document provides the public with notice that, on March 18, 2024, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) submitted a request for amendment (RFA) to its FRA-certified positive train control (PTC) system to establish an Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System II (ACSES II) Construction Zone to support the building of a new interlocking and associated signal system changes on LIRR's Mainline near Floral Park at Milepost (MP) 15.5. According to the RFA, the Construction Zone is planned be implemented on May 10, 2024, and is scheduled to not exceed a three-month duration. FRA is publishing this notice and inviting public comment on LIRR's RFA to its PTC system.

This action proposes to amend Alaskan Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airway V-477 in the vicinity of Ambler, AK. The FAA is proposing this amendment due to the pending decommissioning of the Ambler, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB).

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Regional Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. As published, the docket number specified in the preamble and regulatory text is incorrect. This document corrects that error. In all other respects, the original document remains the same.

This action proposes to amend Class E airspace extending upward from the surface for Boire Field Airport, Nashua, NH by replacing the reference to Manchester Very High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). This action would not change the airspace boundaries or operating requirements.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain General Electric Company (GE) Model GEnx-1B64/P1, GEnx- 1B64/P2, GEnx-1B67, GEnx-1B67/P1, GEnx-1B67/P2, GEnx-1B70, GEnx-1B70/ 75/P1, GEnx-1B70/75/P2, GEnx-1B70/P1, GEnx-1B70/P2, GEnx-1B70C/P1, GEnx-1B70C/P2, GEnx-1B74/75/P1, GEnx-1B74/75/P2, GEnx-1B76/P2, GEnx- 1B76A/P2, GEnx-2B67, GEnx-2B67B, and GEnx-2B67/P engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer evaluation that determined a lower life limit is necessary for certain stages 6-10 compressor rotor spools (stages 6-10 spools) than allowed by the engine shop manual (ESM). This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the stages 6-10 spools for previously accomplished blend repairs, a one-time inspection of the blend repairs on the stages 6-10 spools for compliance with the updated allowable limits, and replacement if necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, PHMSA invites public comments on its intent to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of changes to existing information collections under OMB control numbers 2137-0627 (National Registry of Pipeline and LNG Operators), 2137-0635 (Pipeline Operators), 2137-0635 (Incident Reports for Natural Gas Pipeline Operators), 2137-0629 (Annual Report for Gas Distribution Operators), 2137-0522 (Annual Reports for Gas Pipeline Operators), 2137-0614 (Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Operator Annual Reports), and 2137-0596 (National Pipeline Mapping Program). The proposed information collection changes would provide data necessary to demonstrate an alternative approach to the implementation of Recommendation P-11-11 made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and allow PHMSA to identify trends related to the blending of hydrogen gas and natural gas within gas pipelines from operator-submitted data.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the nitrogen enriched air distribution system (NEADS) cover plate assembly attached to a certain vent stringer in the center wing tank was installed without a designed electrical bond. This proposed AD would require installing electrical bonding and grounding, installing the cover plate assembly with new fasteners, and revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

These special conditions are issued for the Airbus SAS (Airbus) Model A350 series airplanes. These airplanes will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the applicable airworthiness standards. This design feature is seats with inertia locking devices (ILD). 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 all International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1122G-JM, PW1124G1-JM, PW1124G-JM, PW1127G1-JM, PW1127G1A-JM, PW1127G1B-JM, PW1127G-JM, PW1127GA-JM, PW1129G-JM, PW1130G-JM, PW1133G-JM, and PW1133GA-JM engines. This proposed AD was prompted by an in-flight shutdown (IFSD) caused by the fracture of a low-pressure compressor (LPC) 1st-stage integrally bladed rotor (IBR-1). This proposed AD would require removal and replacement of affected LPC key washers and affected LPC IBR-1 and installation of inlet guide vane (IGV) spacers. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-25-12 and AD 2022-11-11, which apply to certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and -402 airplanes. AD 2021- 25-12 requires repetitive lubrications of the trailing arm of the nose landing gear (NLG). AD 2021-25-12 also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program to include new and revised airworthiness limitations. AD 2022-11-11 requires a modification to the NLG shock strut assembly. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-25-12 and AD 2022-11-11, it has been determined that the pivot pin and tow fitting assembly of the NLG must be replaced. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions specified in AD 2021-25-12 and AD 2022-11-11 and would require replacement of the pivot pin and tow fitting assembly with a new, improved pivot pin and tow fitting assembly and prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.