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and outboard midspar fittings of the nacelle
struts.

(2) An open hole HFEC inspection for cracks in the drag fitting and front spar support.

(3) A surface HFEC inspection for cracks in the front spar support.
(i) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

(1) Where Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3183, Revision 6, dated February 7, 2014, specifies a compliance time ‘‘after the Revision 6 date of this service bulletin,’’ this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where Boeing 707 Alert Service Bulletin A3183, Revision 6, dated February 7, 2014, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Do corrective actions before further flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
(j) Special Flight Permit

Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199), are not allowed.
(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9–ANM–LAACO–AMOCRequests@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/ certificate holding district office.

(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(l) Related Information

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Chandra Ramdoss, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM–120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712–4137; phone: 562–627– 5239; fax: 562–627–5210; email: chandraduth.ramdoss@faa.gov.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 206– 544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766–5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 5, 2014. Jeffrey E. Duven, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2014–26837 Filed 11–12–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4910–13–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Aviation Administration**

**14 CFR Part 39**

**[Docket No. FAA–2014–0903; Directorate Identifier 2013–SW–043–AD]** 

**RIN 2120–AA64**

**Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH**  **(Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH) (Airbus Helicopters)** 

**AGENCY :**  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

**ACTION :**  Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

**SUMMARY :**  We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters. This proposed AD would require reducing the life limit of certain parts and removing each part that has reached its life limit. The proposed actions are intended to reduce the life limits of certain critical parts to prevent failure of a part and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

**DATES :**  We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 12, 2015.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically.

• Fax: 202–493–2251.

• Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590–0001.

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ‘‘Mail’’ address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Operations Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, the economic evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations Office (telephone 800–647–5527) is in the **ADDRESSES** section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email matthew.fuller@ faa.gov.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :** 
Comments Invited

We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed electronically, commenters should submit only one time.

We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, issued EASA AD No. 2013–0178, dated August 7, 2013, to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) (now Airbus Helicopters) Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC635T1, EC635P2+, and EC635T2+ helicopters. EASA advises that ECD has revised the airworthiness limitations for the EC135 and EC635


### 67383 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 219 / Thursday, November 13, 2014 / Proposed Rules

type design as published in the Master Servicing Manual (MSM) EC135 Chapter 04—Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) documents. Revision 14 of the MSM contains these new airworthiness limitations. EASA states that failure to comply with these limitations could result in an unsafe condition. For these reasons, EASA AD No. 2013–0178 requires revising the ALS to include the new life limits and replacing each part that has reached its life limit.

FAA’s Determination

These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of Germany and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with Germany, the EASA, its technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in its AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

The airworthiness limitations and maintenance procedures for certain parts are contained in the Airworthiness Limitations section, Chapter 4, of Eurocopter’s MSM EC135, dated December 1, 2001. Revision 14 of the MSM, dated July 1, 2012, establishes a life limit for certain part-numbered main rotor blades and reduces the life limits for swashplate and mixing lever gear unit parts. Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require, before further flight, revising the ALS of the applicable maintenance manual and the component history card or equivalent record by reducing the life limit for various parts and removing from service any part that has reached its life limit. Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

This proposed AD does not apply to Airbus Helicopters Model EC635T1, P2+, or EC635T2+ helicopters because those helicopters are not type certificated in the U.S. Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 267 helicopters of U.S. Registry.

We estimate that operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this AD. Labor costs are estimated at $85 per hour. We estimate 2 work hours to update the maintenance manual for a total cost of $170 for each helicopter and $45,390 for the U.S. fleet. Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA’s authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. ‘‘Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,’’ describes in more detail the scope of the Agency’s authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in ‘‘Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.’’ Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. Regulatory Findings

We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed, I certify this proposed regulation:

1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866;

2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);

3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction; and

4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows: **PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES** 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

**§ 39.13 [Amended]**

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (Previously Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH): Docket No. FAA–2014–0903; Directorate Identifier 2013–SW–043–AD.
(a) Applicability

This AD applies to Model EC135P1, EC135P2, EC135P2+, EC135T1, EC135T2, and EC135T2+ helicopters, certificated in any category.
(b) Unsafe Condition

This AD defines the unsafe condition as failure of a critical part, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
(c) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by January 12,
2015. (d) Compliance

You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(e) Required Actions

Before further flight: (1) Revise the life limit of each part listed in paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (ii) in the Airworthiness Limitations Section of the applicable maintenance manual and record the revised life limit on the component history card or equivalent record as follows:

(i) For swashplate parts: (A) Ring (bearing ring), part number (P/N) L623M2001214, reduce the life limit from 8,300 hours time-in-service (TIS) to 8,000 hours TIS.

(B) Ring (control ring), P/N L623M2001213, reduce the life limit from 8,300 hours TIS to 8,000 hours TIS.

(C) Cardan ring (two-part), P/N L623M2005205, reduce the life limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.

(D) Bolt (control ring), P/N L671M7001215, reduce the life limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.

(E) Bolt (sliding sleeve), P/N L623M2006206 and P/N L623M2006213, reduce the life limit from 14,400 hours TIS to 12,900 hours TIS.

(ii) For mixing lever gear unit parts: (A) Forked lever assembly, P/N L671M3012102, reduce the life limit from 9,000 hours TIS to 8,700 hours TIS.

(B) Hinged support, P/N L671M7003210, reduce the life limit from 8,700 hours TIS to 8,400 hours TIS.

(C) Bolt, P/N L671M7001220, reduce the life limit from 8,700 hours TIS to 8,400 hours TIS.

(2) Remove from service any part listed in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD that has reached or exceeded its newly revised life limit.


### 67384 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 219 / Thursday, November 13, 2014 / Proposed Rules

(f) Special Flight Permit

Special flight permits are limited to a onetime flight to a maintenance facility to replace a part that has reached its life limit.
(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Matt Fuller, Senior Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone (817) 222–5110; email matthew.fuller@faa.gov.

(2) For operations conducted under a 14 CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that you notify your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate holding district office before operating any aircraft complying with this AD through an AMOC.
(h) Additional Information

The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2013–0178, dated August 7, 2013. You may view the EASA AD on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA–
2014–0903. (i) Subject

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6300, 2700 Swashplate Ring, Cardan Ring, Bolt, Mixing Lever Gear Unit (flight controls).

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 28,
2014. Kim Smith, Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–26836 Filed 11–12–14; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4910–13–P**

**NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION** 

**14 CFR Part 1251**
**[Document Number NASA–2014–0011]**

**RIN 2700–AD85**

**Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Federally Assisted**  **Programs and Activities**

**AGENCY :**  National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

**ACTION :**  Notice of proposed rulemaking.

**SUMMARY :**  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is proposing to amend its rules implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 504), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs, services, and activities by recipients of Federal financial assistance from NASA as well as those programs, services, and activities conducted by NASA. The revisions to this rule are part of NASA’s retrospective plan under EO 13563 completed in August 2011.

**DATES :**  Submit comments on or before December 15, 2014.

**ADDRESSES :**  Comments must be identified with RIN 2700–AD85 and may be sent to NASA via the Federal ERulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Please note that NASA will post all comments on the internet with changes, including any personal information provided.

NASA’s full plan can be accessed at: http://www.nasa.gov/open/

. **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Robert Cosgrove, (202) 358–0446.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Background

In this rulemaking, NASA is proposing to amend its section 504 regulations to incorporate changes to the definition of disability required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act of 2008, include an affirmative statement of the longstanding requirement for reasonable accommodations in programs, services, and activities, include a definition of direct threat and a provision describing the parameters of the existing direct threat defense to a claim of discrimination, clarify the existing obligation to provide auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities, update the methods of communication that recipients may use to inform program beneficiaries of their obligation to comply with section 504 to reflect changes in technology, adopt updated accessibility standards applicable to the design, construction, and alteration of buildings and facilities, establish time periods for compliance with these updated accessibility standards, provide NASA with access to recipient data and records to determine compliance with section 504, and make administrative updates to correct titles.

NASA is also proposing to amend its regulation to incorporate changes required by the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992 (1992 Amendments) by revising current sections 1251.2—Employment Practices (Federally Assisted Programs) and 1251.540—Employment (Federally Conducted Programs) and instead referencing the EEOC’s ADA title I regulation. The proposed rule also updates outdated terminology and references that currently exist in Part 1251 and changes the word ‘‘handicapped’’ and similar variations of that word that appear throughout Part 1251, replacing it with ‘‘people first’’ language (e.g., ‘‘individuals with disabilities’’) consistent with the 1992 Amendments.

Section 504

NASA implements the requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 504), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in Federally conducted and assisted programs or activities, through its regulation in Part 1251. NASA’s section 504 regulation applies to recipients to whom the Agency extends Federal financial assistance, such as research, education and training grants, and cooperative agreements, as well as programs, services, and activities conducted by NASA. NASA’s section 504 regulation at § 1251.103 prohibits denial of the benefits of, exclusion from participation in, or other discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in programs or activities because a recipient’s facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by persons with disabilities. Many of the entities that receive financial assistance from NASA are also covered by Title II of the ADA (title II), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by public entities (i.e., state and local governments and their agencies) or Title III of the ADA (title III), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by: (1) Public accommodations (i.e., private entities that own, operate, lease, or lease to places of public accommodation); (2) newly constructed and altered commercial facilities; and (3) private entities that offer certain examinations and courses related to educational and occupational certification.
Definition of Disability—ADA Amendments Act of 2008

The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (the ADA Amendments Act) was signed into law in September 2008 and became effective on January 1, 2009. Congress enacted the ADA Amendments Act to revise the ADA definition of disability in order to ensure that this definition is broadly construed and applied without extensive analysis and to supersede Supreme Court decisions that had too narrowly interpreted the ADA’s definition of a disability. The ADA Amendments Act not only amended the definition of disability applicable to the ADA but also amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to conform the section 504 definition of disability at 29 U.S.C. 705(20)(B) to the revised ADA definition. In this rulemaking, NASA is proposing to amend its section 504