The Federal Register

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, -400, and 747SR Series Airplanes

Wed, May 31 2000 11:00:00 GMT

This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes, that would have required a onetime inspection to determine whether H11 steel bolts are installed as attach and support bolts at the trailing edge flap transmissions, and replacement of any H11 steel bolt with an Inconel bolt. That proposal was prompted by reports of fracturing or cracking of H11 steel bolts at the flap transmissions. This new action revises the proposed rule by expanding the applicability to include additional airplanes. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of a flap transmission, which could reduce lateral controllability of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca Artouste II and Artouste III Series Turboshaft Engines

Wed, May 31 2000 11:00:00 GMT

This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to Turbomeca Artouste II and Artouste III series turboshaft engines. This proposal would require installation of modification TU 24, TU 167 or TU 164, depending on the specific engine model. These modifications would prevent uncommanded partial closing or total closing of the electrical fuel cock, which would prevent uncommanded inflight engine shutdown. From the effective date of this AD, and until the modifications are installed, this proposal would also limit the duration of the engine operating cycle. This proposal is prompted by reports of unexpected power loss during test flights. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent unexpected power loss, which could result in an uncommanded in flight engine shutdown, autorotation, and forced landing.

Hours of Service of Drivers; Driver Rest and Sleep for Safe Operations; Correction

Wed, May 31 2000 11:00:00 GMT

This document corrects the preamble to a proposed rule published in the Federal Register of May 2, 2000, regarding Hours of Service of Drivers and Driver Rest and Sleep for Safe Operations. This correction removes a statement included by error that the proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. As we stated in the proposed rule, the FMCSA does not know with certainty the full economic impact of the proposal and therefore withdraws its negative certification.

Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

Wed, May 31 2000 11:00:00 GMT

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Requirement (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60day comment period soliciting comments on the following collections of information was published on February 16, 2000 (65 FR 7913).

Notice of Public Meeting and Internet Forum on the Safety Implications of Driver Distraction When Using In-Vehicle

Wed, May 31 2000 11:00:00 GMT

NHTSA is holding two public events that focus on the potential safety implications associated with driver distraction while using advanced invehicle technologies that receive, transmit, or display various types of information. The devices of interest include those that allow drivers to phone, fax, obtain route guidance, view infrared images on a headup display, and use the Internet and other such devices.

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One event is an international Internet Forum which is expected to begin on July 5, 2000, and end on August 11, 2000. The Internet Forum will provide an opportunity for technical experts as well as the general public to download technical papers, ask questions about the papers, relate their experiences regarding the use of invehicle devices and their impact on safety in general and driving performance in particular, and participate in exchange of views on related technical issues. Researchers and technical experts are invited to submit papers for inclusion in the Internet For

Freightliner Corporation; Receipt of Application for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

Wed, May 31 2000 11:00:00 GMT

Freightliner Corporation (Freightliner) of Portland, Oregon, has determined that some of its vehicles fail to meet the brake release time requirements of paragraph S5.3.4.1(b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 121, Air Brake Systems. On May 8, 1997, Freightliner filed a noncompliance information report pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.5. In that report, Freightliner indicated that it would file a petition for inconsequential noncompliance at a future date. Freightliner states that a Petition for Inconsequential Noncompliance dated October 10, 1997 was submitted to the agency but we have no record of it. Subsequently, on February 29, 2000, Freightliner resubmitted its Petition dated October 10, 1997.

This notice of receipt of the application is published under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120, and does not represent an agency decision or other exercise of judgement concerning the merits of the application.

Under the requirements of S5.3.4.1(a) of FMVSS No. 121,