Department of Transportation April 9, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-07-13, which applies to certain Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle assemblies (buckles). AD 2021-07-13 requires inspecting each buckle including its buckle handle vane, and depending on the results, removing the buckle from service and installing an airworthy buckle. AD 2021-07-13 also prohibits installing affected buckles. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-07-13, the manufacturer published an updated service bulletin, which revises the applicability based on date of manufacture of the affected buckles. This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2021-07-13. This proposed AD would also reduce the applicability to plastic buckles manufactured on or before May 31, 2007, or any buckle assembly whose date of manufacture cannot be determined. Additionally, this proposed AD would require performing corrective actions by complying with certain portions of the updated service bulletin. 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 MHI RJ Aviation ULC Model CL-600-2B19 (Regional Jet Series 100 & 440) airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the overhead bin attachment could fail under certain conditions. This proposed AD would require replacing existing overhead bin hook assemblies and support tubes with a different type, as specified in a Transport Canada 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 Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW189 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing helicopter maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) for your helicopter and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program for your helicopter, as applicable, 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model RB211-524H-36 and RB211-524H-T-36 engines. This AD was prompted by reports of engine surges and a subsequent investigation which found that the surges may have been caused by material loss on the high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 1 and stage 2 rotor path liners. This AD requires borescope inspections (BSIs) of the HPC stage 1 and stage 2 rotor path liners for material loss, 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 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is amending its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program regulations. The DBE and ACDBE programs are designed to allow small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to compete fairly for DOT funded contracts let by State and local transportation agencies and in airport concession opportunities. The final rule improves program implementation in major areas, including by updating the personal net worth and program size thresholds for inflation; modernizing rules for counting of material suppliers; incorporating procedural flexibilities enacted during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; adding elements to foster greater usage of DBEs and ACDBEs with concurrent, proactive monitoring and oversight; updating certification provisions with less prescriptive rules that give certifiers flexibility when determining eligibility; revising the interstate certification process to provide for reciprocity among certifiers; and making technical corrections to commonly misinterpreted rules.