This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

18963 

Vol. 77, No. 61 

Thursday, March 29, 2012 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

10 CFR Part 431 

[Docket No. EERE–2010–BT–STD–0043] 

RIN 1904–AC36 

Energy Conservation Program: Public 

Meeting and Availability of the 

Framework Document for HighIntensity Discharge Lamps 

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy, Department of 

Energy. 

ACTION: Extension of public comment 

period. 

SUMMARY: This document announces an 

extension of the time period for 

submitting comments on the Notice of 

Public Meeting (NOPM) and 

Availability of Framework Document 

Regarding Energy Conservation 

Standards for High-Intensity Discharge 

(HID) Lamps. The comment period is 

extended to April 12, 2012. 

DATES: The comment period for the HID 

Lamps Framework NOPM published on 

February 28, 2012 at 77 FR 11785 is 

extended to April 12, 2012. 

ADDRESSES: Any comments submitted 

must identify the request for 

information for set-top boxes and 

network equipment and provide docket 

number EERE–2010–BT–STD–0043 

and/or RIN number 1904–AC36. 

Comments may be submitted using any 

of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: at 

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

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Email: to HIDLamps-2010-STD0043@ee.doe.gov. Include EERE–2010– 

BT–STD–0043 in the subject line of the 

message. 

• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. 

Department of Energy, Building 

Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2J, 

Request for Information for Set-top 

boxes and Network Equipment, EERE– 

2011–BT–NOA–0067, 1000 

Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20585–0121. Phone: 

(202) 586–2945. Please submit one 

signed paper original. 

• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda 

Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy, 

Building Technologies Program, 6th 

Floor, 950 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 

Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 

586–2945. Please submit one signed 

paper original. 

Docket: For access to the docket to 

read background documents, or 

comments received, go to the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal at http://www.

regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Lucy deButts, U.S. Department of 

Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy, Building 

Technologies, EE–2J, 1000 

Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20585–0121. 

Telephone: (202) 287–1604. Email: 

lucy.debutts@ee.doe.gov. 

Ms. Elizabeth Kohl, U.S. Department 

of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, 

GC–71, 1000 Independence Avenue 

SW., Washington, DC 20585–0121. 

Telephone: (202) 586–7796. Email: 

elizabeth.kohl@hq.doe.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On 

February 28, 2012, the U.S. Department 

of Energy (DOE) published a notice of 

public meeting (NOPM) and availability 

of framework document for highintensity discharge (HID) lamps, 

initiating the rulemaking and data 

collection process to consider 

establishing energy conservation 

standards (77 FR 11785). The NOPM 

requested public comment from 

interested parties and provided for the 

submission of comments by April 5, 

2012. The National Electrical 

Manufacturers Association (NEMA), on 

behalf of itself and its members, 

requested an extension of the public 

comment period by one week. NEMA 

stated that the additional time is 

necessary to more fully evaluate and 

prepare the information requested in the 

NOPM. NEMA stated that the extension 

will allow NEMA to conduct necessary 

meetings before providing its comments. 

Based on NEMA’s request, DOE 

believes that extending the comment 

period to allow additional time for 

interested parties to prepare and submit 

comments is appropriate. Therefore, 

DOE is extending the comment period 

until April 12, 2012. Accordingly, DOE 

will consider any comments received by 

April 12, 2012 to be timely submitted. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on March 23, 

2012. 

Patrick Davis, 

Program Manager, Office of Vehicle 

Technologies, Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy. 

[FR Doc. 2012–7543 Filed 3–28–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0342; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–SW–028–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; MD 

Helicopters, Inc. 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) for 

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) Model 

MD900 helicopters. The existing AD 

requires a visual inspection, and if 

necessary, an eddy current inspection of 

the main rotor lower hub assembly 

(lower hub) for a crack. If a crack exists, 

the AD requires replacing the lower hub 

with an airworthy lower hub before 

further flight. Because that AD was 

immediately effective, we did not 

include in its requirements certain longterm actions that did not necessitate 

adoption prior to public comment. This 

proposed AD would require those longterm actions. This proposed AD would 

require the same inspections as the 

existing AD but would also require 

recurring inspections and replacing the 

lower hub with an airworthy lower hub. 

We are proposing this AD to detect a 

crack in the lower hub and prevent 

failure of the lower hub and subsequent 

loss of control of the helicopter. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by May 29, 2012. 

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. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS

18964 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

• 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 

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 service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact MD 

Helicopters Inc., Attn: Customer 

Support Division, 4555 E. McDowell 

Rd., Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 85215– 

9734, telephone 1–800–388–3378, fax 

480–346–6813, or at http://www.

mdhelicopters.com. You may review 

copies of service information at the 

FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 

Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 

76137. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric 

Schrieber, Aviation Safety Engineer, Los 

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 

90712; telephone (562) 627–5348; email 

eric.schrieber@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 

On June 21, 2011, we issued AD 

2011–14–05, amendment 39–16740 (76 

FR 41662, July 15, 2011) for MDHI 

Model MD900 helicopters with a lower 

hub, part number 900R2101008–107, 

with serial numbers that begin with 

5009. That AD requires, within 100 

hours time-in-service (TIS) or during the 

next annual inspection, whichever 

occurs first, visually inspecting the 

sides and bottom of the area between 

the arms for the centering bearing and 

the areas adjacent to the bushings of the 

lower hub assembly for a crack. If a 

crack exists, before further flight, 

replace the lower hub with an airworthy 

lower hub. If there is no crack as a result 

of the visual inspection, eddy current 

inspect the lower hub for a crack. If a 

crack exists, before further flight, 

replace the lower hub with an airworthy 

hub. The AD requires an inspector 

qualified to ASNT Level II or equivalent 

to perform the nondestructive eddy 

current inspection of the lower hub. 

That AD was prompted by cracks found 

on four lower hubs. We issued that AD 

to detect a crack in the lower hub and 

prevent failure of the lower hub and 

subsequent loss of control of the 

helicopter. 

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued 

When we issued AD 2011–14–05 

(76 FR 41662, July 15, 2011), we 

intentionally did not include certain 

long-term actions (a 300-hour repetitive 

inspection of the lower hub and a 

requirement to replace the lower hub 

within three years). We are including 

these actions in this proposed AD to 

allow public comments before any 

adoption of the long-term proposals. 

FAA’s Determination 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all the relevant information 

and determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop in other products of the same 

type design. 

Related Service Information 

We reviewed MDHI Service Bulletin 

SB900–117, dated January 14, 2011 

(SB). The SB specifies an initial 100- 

hour and recurring 300-hour visual and 

eddy current inspections of the lower 

hub for a crack and, if a crack exists, 

replacement of the lower hub with an 

airworthy lower hub. The SB requires 

the inspections at the stated intervals or 

during the next annual inspection, 

whichever occurs first. The SB also 

specifies replacing the lower hub within 

three years. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require the 

same inspections currently required by 

AD 2011–14–05 (76 FR 41662, July 15, 

2011), but would require that those 

inspections also be performed at 

intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS or 

during the next annual inspection, 

whichever occurs first. This proposed 

AD would also require, within three 

years, replacing the lower hub with an 

airworthy hub not included in the 

Applicability section of this AD. This 

replacement would provide terminating 

action for this AD’s requirements. 

Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

This proposed AD would not require 

you to contact the manufacturer nor to 

return the lower hub assembly with a 

certain report. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

would affect 12 helicopters of U.S. 

registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

• Visually inspecting the hub. We 

estimate that would take one work-hour 

at $85 an hour, for a total cost per 

helicopter of $85 and a total cost of 

$1,020 for the fleet. 

• Eddy current inspecting the lower 

hub. We estimate that would take one 

work-hour at $85 an hour, for a total 

cost per helicopter of $85 and a total 

cost of $1,020 for the fleet. 

• Replacing the lower hub. We 

estimate that would take 11 work-hours 

at $85 an hour for a total labor cost of 

$935, and that parts would cost $12,480 

per hub, for a total cost of $13,415 per 

helicopter and a total cost of $160,980 

for the fleet. 

• The total of all of the costs listed for 

U.S. operators would be $163,020, 

assuming that the lower hubs for the 

entire fleet would get replaced. 

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: 

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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 61 / Thursday, March 29, 2012 / Proposed Rules 18965 

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 

removing airworthiness directive (AD) 

2011–14–05, Amendment 39–16740 (76 

FR 41662, July 15, 2011), and adding the 

following new AD: 

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI): Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0342; Directorate Identifier 

2011–SW–028–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to MDHI Model MD900 

helicopters with main rotor lower hub 

assembly (lower hub) part number 

900R2101008–107, with serial numbers 

beginning with 5009, certificated in any 

category. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD is prompted by the determination 

that a certain manufacturer had incorrectly 

inserted flanged bushings into the lower hub 

bore. This condition could result in failure of 

the lower hub and subsequent loss of control 

of the helicopter. 

(c) Other Affected ADs. 

This AD supersedes AD 2011–14–05, 

Amendment 39–16740 (76 FR 41662, July 15, 

2011). 

(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 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) 

or during the next annual inspection, 

whichever occurs first, unless done within 

the last 200 hours TIS, and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 300 hours TIS or 

during the next annual inspection, whichever 

occurs first: 

(i) Visually inspect the sides and bottom of 

the area between the arms for the centering 

bearing and the areas adjacent to the 

bushings of the lower hub assembly for a 

crack. If there is a crack, before further flight, 

replace the lower hub with an airworthy 

lower hub. 

(ii) If the lower hub is not replaced as a 

result of the visual inspection required by 

paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this AD, eddy current 

inspect the lower hub for a crack by 

following the Accomplishment Instructions, 

paragraphs 2.A(2) through 2.A.(10)., of MD 

Helicopters Inc. Service Bulletin SB900–117, 

dated January 14, 2011 (SB). If there is a 

crack, before further flight, replace the lower 

hub with an airworthy hub. 

(2) The eddy current inspection required 

by paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this AD must be 

done by a Level II technician with ASNT– 

TC–1A, CEN EN 4179, MIL–STD–410, 

NAS410, or equivalent certification in eddy 

current inspections. The technician must 

have done an eddy current inspection in the 

last 12 months. 

(3) Within 3 years, replace the lower hub 

with an airworthy lower hub not included in 

the Applicability section of this AD. This 

replacement is terminating action for the 

requirements of this AD. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 

Certification Office (LAACO), FAA, may 

approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your 

proposal to: Eric Schrieber, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 

Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

3960 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712; 

telephone (562) 627–5348; email 

eric.schrieber@faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a Part 

119 operating certificate or under 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. 

(g) Additional Information 

For service information identified in this 

AD, contact MD Helicopters Inc., Attn: 

Customer Support Division, 4555 E. 

McDowell Rd. Mail Stop M615, Mesa, AZ 

85215–9734, telephone 1–800–388–3378, fax 

480–346–6813, or at http:// 

www.mdhelicopters.com. You may review 

copies of this information at the FAA, Office 

of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 

2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, 

Texas 76137. 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6220, Main Rotor Head. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 21, 

2012. 

Kim Smith, 

Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft 

Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–7535 Filed 3–28–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0338; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–SW–51–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter 

France Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Eurocopter France Model SA341G 

helicopters. This proposed AD is 

prompted by an analysis and tests 

performed by the manufacturer that 

indicate that the life limit of the rotating 

star should be 12,000 hours time-inservice (TIS). The proposed actions are 

intended to prevent failure of the 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS