21284 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules 

A description of the items; (2) whether 

and why such items are customarily 

treated as confidential within the 

industry; (3) whether the information is 

generally known by or available from 

other sources; (4) whether the 

information has previously been made 

available to others without obligation 

concerning its confidentiality; (5) an 

explanation of the competitive injury to 

the submitting person that would result 

from public disclosure; (6) when such 

information might lose its confidential 

character due to the passage of time; and 

(7) why disclosure of the information 

would be contrary to the public interest. 

It is DOE’s policy that all comments 

may be included in the public docket, 

without change and as received, 

including any personal information 

provided in the comments (except 

information deemed to be exempt from 

public disclosure). 

C. Issues on Which DOE Seeks 

Comment 

Although DOE welcomes comments 

on any aspect of this proposal, DOE is 

particularly interested in receiving 

comments and views of interested 

parties concerning the following issues: 

1. DOE seeks comment on its 

assumptions that only minor changes to 

the DHE market have occurred since the 

last DOE rulemaking and that overall 

shipments of DHE have continued to 

decrease. See section II. 

2. DOE seeks comment on its 

determination that adopting a 

condensing efficiency level for fan-type 

wall furnaces would not be 

economically justified. See section II. 

3. DOE seeks data and information 

pertaining to DHE shipments. See 

section II. 

4. DOE seeks comment on its proposal 

not to amend energy conservation 

standards for DHE because more 

stringent standards would not be 

economically justified. See section III. 

5. DOE seeks comment on its proposal 

not to amend its standards for DHE to 

include standby and off mode electrical 

consumption. See section III. 

VI. Approval of the Office of the 

Secretary 

The Secretary of Energy has approved 

publication of this notice of proposed 

rulemaking. 

List of Subjects in 10 CFR Part 430 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Confidential business 

information, Energy conservation, 

Household appliances, Imports, 

Incorporation by reference, 

Intergovernmental relations, Small 

businesses. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on March 25, 

2016. 

David Friedman, 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 

[FR Doc. 2016–08121 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2015–3929; Directorate 

Identifier 2015–SW–031–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; 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 EC130B4, EC130T2, 

AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, 

AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, 

AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, 

AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. 

This proposed AD would require 

inspecting each bi-directional 

suspension cross-bar (cross-bar) for a 

crack. This proposed AD is prompted by 

two reports of cracks in a cross-bar. The 

proposed actions are intended to detect 

cracks in a cross-bar and prevent failure 

of the cross-bar and subsequent loss of 

control of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by June 10, 2016. 

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 by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2015– 

3929 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, 

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 service information identified in 

this proposed rule, contact Airbus 

Helicopters, 2701 N. Forum Drive, 

Grand Prairie, TX 75052; telephone 

(972) 641–0000 or (800) 232–0323; fax 

(972) 641–3775; or at http://

www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. 

You may review the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, 

Fort Worth, TX 76177. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Safety Management Group, FAA, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX 76177; 

telephone (817) 222–5110; email 

robert.grant@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 


jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules 21285 

Union, has issued EASA AD No. 2015– 

0094, dated May 29, 2015, to correct an 

unsafe condition for Airbus Helicopters 

Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350BB, 

AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, 

AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, 

AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and 

EC130T2 helicopters. EASA advises that 

two cases of cracks in a cross-bar were 

reported on AS350B3 helicopters. The 

cracks were found at the transmission 

deck attachment fitting holes during a 

maintenance check, EASA states. 

According to EASA, in both cases, the 

helicopters were equipped with a cargo 

hook and had completed missions with 

a significant number of torque cycles. 

Because of common design features, 

cracks may also occur on other Model 

AS350-series, AS355-series, and EC130- 

series helicopters. EASA advises that 

crack growth may lead to failure of one 

of the four yokes and significantly 

increased stress load on the remaining 

yokes. This condition, if not detected or 

corrected, could lead to cracks on the 

remaining yokes and increased load on 

the cross-bar, possibly resulting in 

cross-bar failure and consequently loss 

of the helicopter. To correct this 

condition, EASA AD No. 2015–0094 

requires repetitive cross-bar inspections 

and, depending on the findings, 

replacing the cross-bar. 

FAA’s Determination 

These helicopters have been approved 

by the aviation authority of France and 

are approved for operation in the United 

States. Pursuant to our bilateral 

agreement with France, 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 

Airbus Helicopters has issued Alert 

Service Bulletin (ASB) No. EC130– 

05A021 for Model EC130B4 helicopters; 

ASB No. EC130–05A022 for Model 

EC130T2 helicopters; ASB No. AS350– 

05.00.84 for Model AS350B, AS350B1, 

AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, 

AS350BB, AS350D, and military Model 

AS350L1 helicopters; and ASB No. 355– 

05.00.73 for Model AS355E, AS355F, 

AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 

AS355 NP helicopters (ASBs). All of the 

ASBs are Revision 0 and dated May 21, 

2015. The ASBs specify visually 

inspecting the cross-bar. If there is any 

doubt after the visual inspection, the 

ASBs call for a dye-penetrant inspection 

to make sure there are no cracks. If a 

crack is detected, the ASBs call for 

replacing the cross-bar before further 

flight and sending the damaged crossbar to Airbus Helicopters. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require, 

within certain initial inspection times or 

the next time any maintenance of the 

helicopter involves removing the main 

gearbox, whichever comes first, 

inspecting each cross-bar for a crack. If 

there is a crack, this proposed AD 

would require replacing the cross-bar 

before further flight. This proposed AD 

would also require repeating these 

inspections at the same intervals as the 

initial inspection. The compliance times 

in this proposed AD include torque 

cycles, which are defined for purposes 

of this AD, as one landing with or 

without stopping the rotor or one 

external load-carrying operation. An 

external load-carrying operation occurs 

each time a helicopter picks up an 

external load and drops it off. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the EASA AD 

The EASA AD applies to Airbus 

Helicopters Model AS350BB 

helicopters. This proposed AD would 

not apply to the Model AS350BB 

because it has no FAA type certificate. 

However, this proposed AD would 

apply to Model AS350C and AS350D1 

helicopters, while the EASA AD does 

not. The EASA AD requires a florescent 

dye-penetrant inspection if the visual 

inspection of the bi-directional 

suspension cross-bar causes doubts. 

This proposed AD would not require a 

florescent dye-penetrant inspection. The 

EASA AD requires returning the 

damaged bi-directional suspension 

cross-bar to Airbus Helicopters, and this 

proposed AD would not. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 1,132 helicopters of U.S. 

Registry and that labor costs average $85 

a work-hour. Based on these estimates, 

we expect the following costs: 

• Visually inspecting the cross-bar 

would require 16.5 work-hours for a 

labor cost of about $1,403. No parts 

would be needed so that the cost for the 

U.S. fleet would total $1,588,196 per 

inspection cycle. 

• Replacing the cross-bar would cost 

$1,630 for parts. No additional labor 

costs would be needed. 

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. 


jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
21286 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 69 / Monday, April 11, 2016 / Proposed Rules 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Airbus Helicopters: Docket No. FAA–2015– 

3929; Directorate Identifier 2015–SW– 

031–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters 

Model EC130B4, EC130T2, AS350B, 

AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, 

AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, 

AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and 

AS355NP helicopters with a bi-directional 

suspension cross-bar (cross-bar) part number 

(P/N) 350A38–1040–20 or P/N 350A38– 

1040–00 installed, certificated in any 

category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as a 

crack in a bi-directional cross-bar, which 

could result in failure of a cross-bar and loss 

of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by June 10, 

2016 

(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 

(1) Within the initial inspection times 

shown in Table 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD 

or the next time maintenance of the 

helicopter involves removing the main 

gearbox, whichever comes first; and 

thereafter at intervals not to exceed the 

compliance times shown in Table 1 to 

paragraph (e) of this AD, inspect each crossbar for a crack. For purposes of this AD, a 

torque cycle is defined as one landing with 

or without stopping the rotor or one external 

load-carrying operation; an external loadcarrying operation occurs each time a 

helicopter picks up an external load and 

drops it off. 

TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (e) 

Helicopter model Initial and recurrent inspection interval 

AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1 4,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 60,000 torque cycles, whichever

occurs first. 

AS350B3, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, or AS355 

NP.

3,300 hours TIS or 60,000 torque cycles, whichever occurs first. 

EC130B4. 

EC130T2 ................................................................................................... 3,300 hours TIS or 40,000 torque cycles, whichever occurs first. 

(2) If there is a crack, before further flight, 

replace the cross-bar. 

(f) Special Flight Permit 

Special flight permits are prohibited. 

(g) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, 

Aviation Safety Engineer, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort 

Worth, TX 76177; telephone (817) 222–5110; 

email 9-ASW-FTW-AMOC-Requests@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 

(1) Airbus Helicopters Alert Service 

Bulletin No. EC130–05A021, No. EC130– 

05A022, No. AS350–05.00.84, and No. 

AS355–05.00.73, all Revision 0 and all dated 

May 21, 2015, which are not incorporated by 

reference, contain additional information 

about the subject of this proposed rule. For 

service information identified in this 

proposed rule, contact Airbus Helicopters, 

2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 

75052; telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 

232–0323; fax (972) 641–3775; or at http://

www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You 

may review the referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, 

TX 76177. 

(2) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 

No. 2015–0094, dated May 29, 2015. You 

may view the EASA AD on the Internet at 

http://www.regulations.gov in the AD Docket. 

(i) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6300, Main Rotor Drive. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 31, 

2016. 

James A. Grigg, 

Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2016–07986 Filed 4–8–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2016–5307; Directorate 

Identifier 2016–NE–08–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; General 

Electric Company Turbofan Engines 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

General Electric Company (GE) GE90– 

76B, GE90–77B, GE90–85B, GE90–90B, 

and GE90–94B turbofan engines with 

high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 

8–10 spool, part numbers (P/Ns) 

1694M80G04, 1844M90G01, or 

1844M90G02, installed. This proposed 

AD was prompted by reports of cracks 

found on the seal teeth of the HPC stage 

8–10 spool. This proposed AD would 

require eddy current inspections (ECIs) 

or fluorescent penetrant inspections 

(FPIs) of the HPC stage 8–10 spool seal 

teeth and removing from service those 

parts that fail inspection. We are 

proposing this AD to prevent failure of 

the HPC stage 8–10 spool, uncontained 

rotor release, damage to the engine, and 

damage to the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by June 10, 2016. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address above between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact General 

Electric Company, GE-Aviation, Room 

285, 1 Neumann Way, Cincinnati, OH 

45215, phone: 513–552–3272; email: 

aviation.fleetsupport@ge.com. You may 


jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS