Department of Transportation July 17, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a new information collection. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that the lower attachment studs on the aft galley complex may be installed incorrectly due to a missing instruction in the maintenance procedure task. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection of the lower attachment studs on the aft galley complex, and depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, 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 certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited Model DHC-8-401 and - 402 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of moisture in the wing- to-fuselage joint, between the mating front spar and rear spar frame segments. This AD requires a visual inspection of the fuselage front and rear spar frames, an ultrasonic test if applicable, other specified actions, and repair if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FRA is issuing this Second Supplement to Safety Advisory 2023- 01 to reiterate and expand upon the recommendations in its previously published Safety Advisories related to hot bearing wayside detectors (HBDs). This Safety Advisory reiterates FRA's previous recommendations in Safety Advisory 2023-01 and its June 14, 2023 Supplement, and expands on the recommendations to incorporate the findings of FRA's ongoing evaluations by emphasizing: the importance of trend analysis and the opportunity to integrate wayside detector data types to evaluate railcar health; the need to establish and follow appropriate processes in analyzing and responding to HBD data; the need for railroads to ensure that adequate staff are assigned to monitor and respond to wayside detector data; and the need for railroads to maximize the use of HBD data, including sharing wayside detector data between railroads, as a train travels from one railroad's tracks to another railroad's track.

This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a defect petition, DP24-002, submitted by Ms. Elizabeth Margulies (the Petitioner) to NHTSA (the Agency) by a letter dated February 15, 2024. The petition requests that the Agency initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power incidents attributed to vehicles manufactured by Kia America, Inc. (Kia) equipped with 3.3 L Lambda-II engines. After conducting a technical review of the petition and other information, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has concluded that that the issues raised by the petition do not warrant a new defect investigation. Peer vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda-II engine are already being considered in an open investigation into allegations of loss of motive power for Model Year (MY) 2016-2017 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the same 3.3 L Lambda-II engine. Accordingly, the Agency has denied the petition as moot.