### 11787 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 28, 2012 / Proposed Rules

for the development of potential HID lamp energy conservation standards. At the public meeting, the Department will make a presentation, invite discussion on the rulemaking process as it applies to the covered products, and solicit comments, data, and information from participants and other interested parties. Participants can also attend the public meeting via webinar. Registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on the following Web site: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/
221154352 . Participants are responsible for ensuring their computer systems are compatible with the webinar software. The Department encourages those who wish to participate in the public meeting to obtain the framework document and to be prepared to discuss its contents.

Public meeting participants need not limit their comments to the issues identified in the framework document. The Department is also interested in receiving views concerning other relevant issues that participants believe would affect energy conservation standards for this equipment or that DOE should address in the NOPR. Furthermore, the Department welcomes all interested parties, regardless of whether they participate in the public meeting, to submit in writing by the date specified in the **DATES** section, comments and information on matters addressed in the framework document and on other matters relevant to consideration of standards for HID lamps. At this time, DOE is tentatively considering setting standards based on the information included in the framework document. DOE will consider modifications to its approach based on the data and comments received in response to the framework document and public meeting.

The public meeting will be conducted in an informal, facilitated, conference style. There shall be no discussion of proprietary information, costs or prices, company market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by U.S. antitrust laws. A court reporter will record the proceedings of the public meeting, after which a transcript will be made available on DOE’s Web site at http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/ appliance

_ standards/commercial/ high

_ intensity

_ discharge

_lamps.html

. After the public meeting and the close of the comment period on the framework document, DOE will collect data, conduct the analyses as discussed in the framework document and at the public meeting, and review the comments received. DOE considers public participation to be a very important part of the process for setting energy conservation standards. DOE actively encourages the participation and interaction of the public during the comment period in each stage of the rulemaking process. Beginning with the framework document, and during each subsequent public meeting and comment period, interactions with and between members of the public provide a balanced discussion of the issues to assist DOE in the standards rulemaking process. Accordingly, anyone who would like to participate in the public meeting, receive meeting materials, or be added to the DOE mailing list to receive future notices and information regarding this rulemaking on HID lamps should contact Ms. Brenda Edwards at (202) 586–2945, or via email at: Brenda.Edwards@ee.doe.gov

.

Issued in Washington, DC, on February 21,
2012. Kathleen B. Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012–4639 Filed 2–27–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6450–01–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Aviation Administration**

**14 CFR Part 39**

**[Docket No. FAA–2012–0177; Directorate Identifier 2009–SW–59–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 EC155B and EC155B1 helicopters with a VIP 4-seat bench. This proposed AD is prompted by the determination that the load strength of the seat attachment hardware of the seat installation does not meet certification specifications. The proposed actions are intended to prevent overloading of the seat structure at the attachment point during a hard landing or emergency landing, which could result in the VIP 4-seat bench detaching from the floor and subsequent injury to the seat occupants.

**DATES :**  We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 30, 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.

• 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 American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052, telephone (972) 641–0000 or (800) 232– 0323, fax (972) 641–3775, or at http:// www.eurocopter.com/techpub. You may review a copy of the referenced 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 :**  Gary Roach, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222–5130; fax: (817) 222–5961, email gary.b.roach@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


### 11788 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 28, 2012 / Proposed Rules

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

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued AD No. 2009–0078R1, dated June 30, 2009 (AD No. 2009– 0078R1), which supersedes Emergency AD No. 2009–0078–E, dated April 1, 2009 (AD No. 2009–0078–E), to correct an unsafe condition for the Eurocopter model EC155B and EC155B1, all serial numbers up to and including 6892, fitted with a VIP 4-seat bench, part number (P/N) 365V85–0045–01 or 365V85–0046–01. EASA advises that Eurocopter identified an unsafe condition while performing customization work that involved the installation of the VIP 4-seat bench. During the installation work, Eurocopter determined that the load strength of the seat attachment hardware of the seat installation did not meet certification specifications. EASA advises that this condition, if not corrected, would lead to overloading of the seat structure at the attachment point during an emergency landing, which could result in the seat bench detaching from the floor fitting rails and potentially resulting in injury to the seat occupants.

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 their AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type designs.

Related Service Information

Eurocopter has issued Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 04A009, Revision 1, dated June 24, 2009 (Emergency ASB No. 04A009R1) which revises Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 04A009, Revision 0, dated March 30, 2009 (Emergency ASB No. 04A009R0). Emergency ASB No. 04A009R0 specified revising the RFM to restrict the VIP 4-seat bench to a maximum of 3 occupants. It also specified converting the VIP 4-seat bench into a 3-seat bench at ‘‘the next flight-related inspection scheduled at 15 hours or 7 days,’’ whichever occurred first. EASA classified Emergency ASB No. 04A009R0 as mandatory to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters and issued EASA Emergency AD No. 2009–0078–E.

Eurocopter has now developed optional terminating action. Eurocopter issued ASB No. 25–095, dated June 25, 2009 (ASB No. 25–095) that specifies installing new shims between the attachment rails and the cabin floor at the seat position to strengthen the attachment security of the seat using a rear VIP bench seat retrofit kit, P/N 365V08–0079–0171, or front VIP bench seat retrofit kit, P/N 365V08–0079–0271. Eurocopter also issued Emergency ASB No. 04A009R1, which retained the requirements of Emergency ASB No. 04A009R0, and also specified that helicopters equipped with the bench modification kits in accordance with ASB No. 25–095 had met the requirements of Emergency ASB No. 04A009R1. In response, EASA issued AD No. 2009–0078R1, which retained the requirements of Emergency AD No. 2009–0078–E, and added the optional terminating action of modifying the seat configuration to strengthen the attachment security of the seat using the bench modification kit. EASA also stated that after installing the bench modification kit, you could remove the RFM limitation of 3 occupants and reconfigure the 3-seat bench to a 4-seat bench. Proposed AD Requirements

This proposed AD would require the following actions:

• Before further flight, revise the Limitations section of the RFM by inserting the following statement into the Limitations section: ‘‘The VIP 4-seat bench, P/N 365V85–0045–01 or 365V85–0046–01, is limited to 3 passengers.’’ The change to the Limitations section of the RFM may be made in pen and ink, or by inserting a copy of the AD into the Limitations section of the RFM.

• Within the next 15 hours time-inservice (TIS), convert the VIP 4-seat bench into a 3-seat configuration.

• Instead of revising the Limitations section of the RFM and converting the VIP 4-seat bench into a 3-seat configuration, you may modify the rear VIP 4-seat bench by installing the shims contained in kit P/N 365V08–0079–0171 (which corresponds to modification 365V08–0079–01), or the front VIP 4- seat bench by installing the shims contained in kit P/N 365V08–0079–0271 (which corresponds to modification 365V08–0079–02). This action constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this proposed AD. Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

This proposed AD specifies that the conversion of the VIP 4-seat bench to a 3-seat bench must occur within 15 hours TIS, while the EASA AD specifies that compliance must occur within 15 hours TIS or 7 days, whichever occurs first. This proposed AD uses different P/Ns for the bench modification kits, because AD No. 2009–0078R1 and ASB No. 25–095 use different P/Ns for the same part, and this proposed AD uses the P/N in ASB No. 25–095. Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 4 helicopters of U.S. registry. We estimate that it would take a negligible amount of work hours per helicopter to amend the Limitation section of the applicable RFM. We estimate it would take approximately 0.25 hour to convert the VIP 4-seat bench to a 3-seat bench at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. Estimated labor costs for the conversion are approximately $21.25 per helicopter, and approximately $85 for the fleet. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $85, assuming that no helicopter has been previously modified with the rear VIP bench seat retrofit kit P/N 365V08–0079–0171 and the front VIP bench seat retrofit kit P/N 365V08–0079–0271. 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


### 11789 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 39 / Tuesday, February 28, 2012 / Proposed Rules

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):

EUROCOPTER FRANCE: Docket No. FAA– 2012–0177; Directorate Identifier 2009– SW–59–AD.
(a) Applicability

This AD applies to Model EC155B and EC155B1 helicopters, all serial numbers up to and including 6892, with a VIP 4-seat bench, part number (P/N) 365V85–0045–01 or 365V85–0046–01, installed; certificated in any category. (b) Unsafe Condition

This AD defines the unsafe condition as possible overloading of the seat structure at the attachment point during a hard landing or emergency landing. This condition could result in the bench seat detaching from the floor and subsequent injury to the seat occupants. (c) Compliance

You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished previously.
(d) Required Actions

(i) Before further flight, revise the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by inserting the following statement into the Limitations section: ‘‘The VIP 4-seat bench, P/N 365V85–0045–01 or 365V85–0046–01 is limited to 3 passengers.’’ You may make the change to the Limitations section of the RFM in pen and ink, or by inserting a copy of this AD into the Limitations section of the RFM.

(ii) Within the next 15 hours time-inservice, convert the VIP 4-seat bench into the 3-seat configuration in accordance with paragraphs 2.B.1 through 2.B.3 and Figure 1 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 04A009, Revision 1, dated June 24, 2009.

(iii) Instead of complying with paragraphs (d)(i) and (d)(ii) of this AD, you may modify the rear VIP 4-seat bench by installing the shims contained in rear VIP bench seat retrofit kit, P/N 365V08–0079–0171 (which corresponds to modification 365V08–0079– 01), or the front VIP 4-seat bench by installing the shims contained in front VIP bench seat retrofit kit, P/N 365V08–0079– 0271 (which corresponds to modification 365V08–0079–02), in accordance with the Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B. of the Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 25– 095, dated June 25, 2009. Modifying the VIP 4-seat bench constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
(e) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

(1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal to: Gary Roach, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222– 5130; fax: (817) 222–5961, email gary.b.roach@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.

(f) Additional Information

The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency AD No. 2009–0078R1, dated June 30, 2009.
(g) Subject

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500: Cabin Equipment/Furnishings. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 10, 2012. Lance T. Gant, Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 2012–4606 Filed 2–27–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4910–13–P**

**DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION**

**Federal Aviation Administration**

**14 CFR Part 39**

**[Docket No. FAA–2012–0186; Directorate Identifier 2011–NM–268–AD]** 

**RIN 2120–AA64**

**Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes** 

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

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

**SUMMARY :**  We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, –900, and –900ER series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of flight crew failure to activate air data probe heat. This proposed AD would require modifying the anti-icing system for the angle of attack sensor, the total air temperature, and the pitot probes. We are proposing this AD to prevent ice from forming on air data system sensors and consequent loss of or misleading airspeed indication on all airspeed indicating systems, which could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

**DATES :**  We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 13, 2012.

**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 Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H–65, Seattle, Washington 98124– 2207; telephone 206–544–5000,