Department of Transportation – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) hereby gives notice of vacancies on its newly formed Passenger Railroad Advisory Committee (PRAC). The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates to fill these vacancies.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-07- 15, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. AD 2022-07-15 required replacing affected braking and steering control units (BSCUs) and revising the operator's existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL). This AD was prompted by a determination that a type 1 relay combined with an affected BSCU would induce BSCU freezing. This AD removes certain airplanes from the applicability, retains the requirements of AD 2022-07-15, requires an inspection for the relay type installed and replacement of type 1 relays with type 2 relays, limits the installation of affected BSCUs on certain airplanes and prohibits the installation of affected BSCUs for certain other airplanes 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 certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-2B16 (604 Variant) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that some airplanes were delivered without a portable protective breathing equipment (PBE) device located in the left-side forward wardrobe, flight deck, or passenger cabin area of the airplane. This AD requires visually inspecting the forward left side cabin area of the airplane to determine if the portable PBE device is installed and, if not installed, requires installing the portable PBE device along with the associated placard. 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 Airbus SAS Model A318-112 airplanes; Model A319-115, -132, -133, -151N, -153N, and -171N airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, - 251N, -252N, -253N, -271N, -272N, and -273N airplanes; and Model A321- 112 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the fatigue life limit of the motoreductor installed on the on-board entrance stairs is not demonstrated for the complete airplane design service goal (DSG). This AD requires repetitive replacement of the motoreductor for onboard entrance stairs, and it limits the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, 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.

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 May 8, 2023.

FMCSA announces its decision to renew exemptions for 16 individuals from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for interstate commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to continue to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

FMCSA announces receipt of applications from 10 individuals for an exemption from the hearing requirement in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce. If granted, the exemptions would enable these hard of hearing and deaf individuals to operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain WACO Classic Aircraft Corporation Model 2T-1A-2 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple types of cracks at the leading edge former ribs and trailing edge former ribs in the upper wing center section. This AD requires installing maneuver restriction placards in the front and rear cockpits, inspecting the leading and trailing edge former ribs for cracking, replacing any cracked ribs, modifying the upper wing center section assembly, and removing the maneuver restriction placards after completing the modification. 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 The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a reported quality escapement where the seat track fitting nuts were under-torqued on some flight attendant seats in production. This AD requires re-torquing each free-standing attendant seat track fitting nut. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-04- 10, which applied to all Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 900 airplanes. AD 2023-04-10 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2023-04- 10, and 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 is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-08- 04, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A300 series airplanes. AD 2022-08-04 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-08-04, the FAA has determined new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD continues to require the actions of AD 2022-08-04, and requires 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 is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that the nose wheel steering selector valve (SSV) can be slow to deactivate under low temperature conditions. This AD requires replacing the affected SSV with a re-designed SSV that has an improved response time. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This notice announces a meeting of the TLTF.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The collection involves information required in an application to request Special Priorities Assistance. The information to be collected is necessary to facilitate the supply of civil transportation resources to promote the national defense. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. A 60-day notice was published in the Federal Register on November 16, 2023. No comments were received.

The Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) announces a public meeting of the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee (TTAC) on Thursday, January 18, 2024. This notice announces the date, time, and location of the meeting, which will be virtually open to the public. The purpose of the TTAC is to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to transportation innovations.

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the titanium threaded bolts at the forward end of the short rudder trim tab actuating rods could be subject to unexpectedly high oscillating loads due to aerodynamic forces acting on the rudder trim tab. This AD requires periodic replacement of affected titanium threaded bolts, a one-time inspection of the rudder mass balance arm and other elements of the rudder trim tab installation for correct attachment, damage (gouges), cracks, deformation, surface finish, and corrosion on any surrounding parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective actions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) emergency AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-19-15, which applies to certain International Aero Engines, LLC (IAE LLC) Model PW1100G series engines; and AD 2023-16-07, which applies to certain IAE LLC Model PW1100G series engines and PW1400G series engines. AD 2022-19-15 requires 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 requires 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. The NPRM was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that determined an increased risk of powder metal anomalies for all powder metal parts in certain powder metal production campaigns, which are susceptible to failure significantly earlier than previously determined. The NPRM would have retained the AUSI requirement for certain HPT 1st-stage and HPT 2nd-stage hubs from AD 2023-16-07. The NPRM would also have required 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 replacement if necessary. The NPRM would also have required accelerated replacement of the HPC IBR-7, HPC IBR-8, HPC rear hub, HPT 1st-stage hub, HPT 1st-stage air seal, HPT 1st-stage blade retaining plate, HPT 2nd-stage hub, HPT 2nd-stage blade retaining plate, and HPT 2nd-stage rear seal. Since issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has received information that an error was inadvertently included in the compliance times for some of the HPT 1st-stage and 2nd-stage hubs, which would have required removal significantly later than necessary. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

This final rule provides the statutorily prescribed 2024 adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations.

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 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.

This action proposes to amend Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) Federal Airways V-48, V-52, V-216, and V- 434, and revoke VOR Federal Airway V-206. The FAA is proposing this action due to the planned decommissioning of the VOR portion of the Ottumwa, IA (OTM), VOR/Distance Measuring Equipment (VOR/DME) navigational aid (NAVAID). The Ottumwa VOR is being decommissioned in support of the FAA's VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) program.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport, Statesboro, GA, to support the revised area navigation (RNAV) instrument approach procedure. This action increases the radius of the Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface, and updates the airport's name and geographic coordinates.

This action amends Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface for Thomasville Regional Airport, Thomasville, GA. This action increases the existing radius, adds an extension to the northeast, and updates the airport's name.