Search Results for agency_names:"Transportation Department"

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the Department of Transportation, has issued a final rule updating the specifications for the Hybrid III 5th Percentile Female Test Dummy. These changes address issues with the chest jacket and spine box components, which are used in crash testing to ensure vehicle safety. The new specifications aim to resolve inconsistencies in jacket designs by adopting a standardized design and eliminating signal noise issues from the spine box. The rule is effective February 18, 2025, and is not expected to impose additional costs on vehicle manufacturers, as the replacement parts are already part of routine maintenance.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a new rule to replace an older directive for Boeing 787 airplanes to fix a potential safety issue. This new rule requires changes to maintenance programs and specific parts on the planes to ensure the engine fire handle works correctly and prevent potential fire hazards. The rule mandates these changes be made by a certain date and prohibits the installation of certain older parts. The FAA took public comments into account before finalizing the rule, which aims to enhance aviation safety without imposing significant economic impacts.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is updating a previous safety directive for certain Airbus Helicopters, specifically Model SA330J, to address issues with the tail rotor blades. This update requires more frequent inspections and clarifies the compliance procedures. The purpose of these changes is to reduce the risk of fatigue cracks which could lead to a failure of the tail rotor blade and, consequently, loss of control of the helicopter. Helicopters must regularly undergo inspections and any rotor blades showing issues must be repaired or replaced before they can be used again.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing a final rule to update airworthiness directives for Bombardier, Inc. Model BD-700-1A10 and BD-700-1A11 airplanes. This rule replaces a previous directive due to the discovery of a new airworthiness limitation, which involves regular inspections and maintenance to address potential sand contamination and corrosion in the elevator torque tube bearings. These measures are intended to prevent possible binding or seizure of these components, which could lead to a loss of pitch control. The rule also provides guidelines for compliance and specifies that existing maintenance programs must be updated by March 11, 2025, to incorporate these new requirements.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) for specific models of Robinson Helicopter Company R44 and R44 II helicopters due to reports of failed clutch actuators and rivets. These failures may cause the brackets to detach from the fan scroll housing, potentially leading to serious safety issues, including loss of control of the helicopter. The directive requires inspections and corrective actions, such as repairing or replacing components to ensure the helicopters are safe to operate. This rule goes into effect on January 7, 2025, affecting over 1,600 helicopters in the U.S. registry.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new rule that would require changes to maintenance programs for certain MHI RJ Aviation airplanes, previously certified under Bombardier. The rule stems from Canada's findings that new, stricter maintenance tasks are needed to ensure the airplanes remain safe. The FAA is asking for public comments on the proposal by April 21, 2025. This proposed rule aims to prevent reduced structural integrity and airplane controllability by updating the maintenance programs based on Canadian regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has updated an existing airworthiness directive for certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional airplanes. This update involves adding more restrictive maintenance or inspection requirements to ensure these airplanes remain safe to fly. The decision to supersede the previous rule came after determining that these additional precautions were needed due to potential risks such as fatigue cracking. The FAA aims to tackle these potential safety issues to maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft.

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is inviting applications for vessels to join the Cable Security Fleet (CSF). This program aims to keep a ready fleet of U.S.-owned cable vessels for national security and global positioning in the submarine cable market. To apply, potential participants must meet specific citizenship and technical requirements and submit applications by February 4, 2021. Once selected, participants will form agreements with MARAD to operate these vessels in the commercial cable industry and make them available to the U.S. Government during emergencies.

The FAA has issued a final airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. Model PC-12/47E airplanes to address a safety issue. The problem stems from inboard flap fairings with an incorrect shape, potentially leading to chafing with a tension rod, which could cause a failure in the flap system and reduce airplane control. The AD requires inspections of the affected parts to check for chafing and to ensure the correct shape; corrective actions must be taken if necessary. The rule applies to specific serial numbers and outlines inspection requirements, with expected compliance costs detailed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a new airworthiness directive for all Leonardo S.p.a. Model A119 and AW119 MKII helicopters. This proposal is due to a reported electrical failure in the starter-generator caused by a broken drive shaft, which led to partial battery power loss. The directive would require helicopters to have a battery discharge detector installed and to update the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. This action aims to prevent the risk of losing complete electrical power, which could result in losing control of the helicopter.