[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12373-12375]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04285]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0351; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-049-AD;
Amendment 39-17770; AD 2014-04-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Eurocopter France) (Airbus Helicopters)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus
Helicopters Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model AS355E, F,
F1, F2, and N helicopters with certain tail rotor (T/R) blades. This AD
requires installing additional rivets to secure each T/R blade trailing
edge tab (tab), and inspecting for evidence of debonding of the tab
after the rivets are installed. This AD was prompted by reports of T/R
blade tab debonding. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent
loss of a T/R blade tab, which could result in excessive vibration and
loss of control of the helicopter.

DATES: This AD is effective April 9, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain documents listed in this AD as of April 9, 2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052;
telephone<PHONE_NUMBER> or<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>; or at
http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub. You may review the referenced
service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Southwest Region,

2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

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 AD, the foreign authority's ADs,
any incorporated-by-reference service information, the economic
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations Office (phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>) is U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations Office, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Regulations and Policy Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham
Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; email
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On April 22, 2013, at 78 FR 23692, the Federal Register published
our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Eurocopter France (now
Airbus Helicopters) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D; and AS355E, F, F1,
F2, and N helicopters with a T/R blade, part number (P/N) 355A12-0040-
00, 355A-12-0040-01, 355A12-0040-02, 355A12-0040-03, 355A-12-0040-04,
355A12-0040-05, 355A-12-0040-07, 355A-12-0040-08, or 355A12-0040-14,
all serial numbers (S/N); or P/N 355A12-0050-04, 355A12-0050-10, or
355A12-0050-12, with a S/N 8400 through 9224. The NPRM proposed to
require installing additional rivets to secure each tab, and inspecting
for evidence of debonding of the tab after the rivets are installed.
The proposed requirements were intended to prevent loss of a T/R blade
tab, which could result in excessive vibration and loss of control of
the helicopter.
    The NPRM was prompted by AD No. F-2004-178, dated November 10,
2004, issued by the Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the aviation authority for France, for Model AS350B, BA, BB,
B1, B2, B3, and D helicopters, fitted with certain T/R blades. The DGAC
also issued AD No. F-2004-176, dated November 10, 2004, for Model
AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters with certain T/R blades. The DGAC
advises of reports of T/R blade tab debonding, and that the loss of the
tab leads to a significant increase in the aircraft's vibration level.
As a result, the ADs mandate compliance with the manufacturer's service
information to install additional rivets on the tabs.
    Since we issued the NPRM, Eurocopter France changed its name to
Airbus Helicopters. This AD reflects that change and updates the
contact information to obtain service information.

Comments

    After our NPRM (78 FR 23692, April 22, 2013) was published, we
received comments from one commenter.

Request

    American Eurocopter Corp. requested that we remove tail rotor blade
P/Ns 355A12-0040-14, 355A12-0050-10, and 355A12-0050-12 from the
applicability of our AD. The commenter stated that these tail rotor
blades have trailing tabs that are integral with the tail rotor blade
skin and not bonded on, and therefore are not susceptible to the unsafe
condition identified in our AD. We agree and have made the requested
change.

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, the DCAG, its technical
representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described in
its AD. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all information
provided by the DGAC and determined the unsafe condition exists and is
likely to exist or develop on other helicopters of these same type
designs and that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD requirements as proposed, except we have changed the
applicability from Eurocopter France to Airbus Helicopters and removed
tail rotor blades, P/N 355A12-0040-14, 355A12-0050-10, and 355A12-0050-
12, from the Applicability section. These changes are consistent with
the intent of the proposals in the NPRM (78 FR 23692, April 22, 2013)
and will not increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase
the scope of the AD.

Differences Between This AD and the DGAC AD

    This AD does not include the Model AS350 BB because it does not
have an FAA-issued type certificate. This AD requires compliance within
100 hours time-in-service. The DGAC ADs require compliance within 100
flying hours ``without exceeding 3 months.''

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 64.00.05,
Revision 2, dated February 15, 2007, for Model AS350B, BA, BB, B1, B2,
B3, and D helicopters, and ASB No. 64.00.04, Revision 2, dated February
15, 2007, for Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters.
    These ASBs specify, within 100 flying hours without exceeding three
months, installing additional rivets on T/R blade tabs and inspecting
each tab for debonding after the rivets have been installed. The DGAC
classified these ASBs as mandatory and issued AD No. F-2004-176 and AD
No. F-2004-178 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
helicopters.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 654 helicopters of U.S. registry
and that labor costs average $85 a work-hour. Based on these estimates,
we expect the following costs:
     Installing rivets and inspecting for tab debonding takes 1
hour for a labor cost of $85. Parts cost $100 for a total cost of $185
per helicopter. The cost for the U.S. fleet totals $120,990.
     Replacing the tab with an airworthy tab, if needed, takes
4 hours for a total labor cost of $340. Parts cost $100, for a total
cost of $440 per helicopter.

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 helicopters identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will 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 above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

2014-04-11 Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Eurocopter France): Amendment 39-17770; Docket No. FAA-2013-0351;
Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-049-AD.

 (a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D; and AS355E,
F, F1, F2, and N helicopters with a tail rotor (T/R) blade, part
number (P/N) 355A12-0040-00, 355A-12-0040-01, 355A12-0040-02,
355A12-0040-03, 355A-12-0040-04, 355A12-0040-05, 355A-12-0040-07,
355A-12-0040-08, all serial numbers (S/N); or P/N 355A12-0050-04,
with a S/N 8400 through 9224, certificated in any category.

 (b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as T/R blade trailing edge
tab (tab) debonding. This condition could result in excessive
vibration of the helicopter and loss of control of the helicopter.

(c) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 9, 2014.

 (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

    Within 100 hours time-in-service, install additional rivets on
the trailing edge tab of each T/R blade, according to the following
procedures, referencing Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. 64.00.05, Revision 2, dated February 15, 2007, or
ASB No. 64.00.04, Revision 2, dated February 15, 2007, whichever is
applicable to your model helicopter:
    (1) Lightly sand the area to be drilled, using No. 80 then No.
220 sandpaper.
    (2) Locate and drill eight 2.5 mm-diameter holes (T): 4 holes
(T) 12 mm from the existing rivets (E) and on the centerline of the
existing rivets (E), then 4 holes (T) 24 mm from the existing rivets
(E) and on the centerline of the existing rivets (E).
    (3) Deburr and clean the area around the drilled holes.
    (4) Install 8 rivets (1) on tab (L). Any installation direction
of the rivets is permissible (pressure face or suction face of the
T/R blade).
    (5) Inspect the tab for debonding.
    (i) If there is no debonding, paint the area.
    (ii) If there is debonding, replace the tab.

 (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft
Directorate, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this AD. Send your proposal
to: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, Regulations and Policy
Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth,
Texas 76137; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>    (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.

 (g) Additional Information

    The subject of this AD is addressed in the Direction Generale de
l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) AD No. F-2004-176 and AD No. F-2004-178,
both dated November 10, 2004. You may view the DCAG ADs on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2013-0351.

(h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6410, Tail rotor
blades.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 64.00.05, Revision 2,
dated February 15, 2007.
    (ii) Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 64.00.04, Revision 2,
dated February 15, 2007.
    (3) For Eurocopter service information identified in this AD,
contact Airbus Helicopters, Inc., 2701 N. Forum Drive, Grand
Prairie, TX 75052; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER> or<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax
(972) 641-3775; or at http://www.airbushelicopters.com/techpub.
    (4) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call<PHONE_NUMBER>, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 19, 2014.
Lance T. Gant,
Acting Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04285 Filed 3-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 160 (Monday, August 21, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56761-56763]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17851]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 97

[Docket No. 31502; Amdt. No. 4074]

Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and
Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument
Approach Procedures (SIAPs) and associated Takeoff Minimums and
Obstacle Departure Procedures for operations at certain airports. These
regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised
criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace
System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities,
adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These
changes are designed to provide for the safe and efficient use of the
navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under
instrument flight rules at the affected airports.

DATES: This rule is effective August 21, 2023. The compliance date for
each SIAP, associated Takeoff Minimums, and ODP is specified in the
amendatory provisions.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 21, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Availability of matter incorporated by reference in the
amendment is as follows:

For Examination

    1. U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Ops-M30, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, West Bldg., Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001;
    2. The FAA Air Traffic Organization Service Area in which the
affected airport is located;
    3. The office of Aeronautical Information Services, 6500 South
MacArthur Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73169 or,
    4. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
    For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email
[email protected] or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Availability

    All SIAPs and Takeoff Minimums and ODPs are available online free
of charge. Visit the National Flight Data Center online at nfdc.faa.gov
to register. Additionally, individual SIAP and Takeoff Minimums and ODP
copies may be obtained from the FAA Air Traffic Organization Service
Area in which the affected airport is located.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas J. Nichols, Flight Procedures
and Airspace Group, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, Flight
Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration. Mailing Address:
FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Flight Procedures and Airspace
Group, 6500 South MacArthur Blvd., STB Annex, Bldg 26, Room 217,
Oklahoma City, OK 73099. Telephone:<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule amends 14 CFR part 97 by amending
the referenced SIAPs. The complete regulatory description of each SIAP
is listed on the appropriate FAA Form 8260, as modified by the National
Flight Data Center (NFDC)/Permanent Notice to Airmen (P-NOTAM), and is
incorporated by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 1 CFR part 51, and 14
CFR 97.20. The large number of SIAPs, their complex nature, and the
need for a special format make their verbatim publication in the
Federal Register expensive and impractical. Further, airmen do not use
the regulatory text of the SIAPs, but refer to their graphic depiction
on charts printed by publishers of aeronautical materials. Thus, the
advantages of incorporation by reference are realized and publication
of the complete description of each SIAP contained on FAA form
documents is unnecessary. This amendment provides the affected CFR
sections, and specifies the SIAPs and Takeoff Minimums and ODPs with
their applicable effective dates. This amendment also identifies the
airport and its location, the procedure and the amendment number.

Availability and Summary of Material Incorporated by Reference

    The material incorporated by reference is publicly available as
listed in the ADDRESSES section.
    The material incorporated by reference describes SIAPs, Takeoff
Minimums and ODPs as identified in the amendatory language for part 97
of this final rule.

The Rule

    This amendment to 14 CFR part 97 is effective upon publication of
each separate SIAP and Takeoff Minimums and ODP as amended in the
transmittal. For safety and timeliness of change considerations, this
amendment incorporates only specific changes contained for each SIAP
and Takeoff Minimums and ODP as modified by FDC permanent NOTAMs.
    The SIAPs and Takeoff Minimums and ODPs, as modified by FDC
permanent NOTAM, and contained in this amendment are based on criteria
contained in the U.S. Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures
(TERPS). In developing these changes to SIAPs and Takeoff Minimums and
ODPs, the TERPS criteria were applied only to specific conditions
existing at the affected airports. All SIAP amendments in this rule
have been previously issued by the FAA in a FDC NOTAM as an emergency
action of immediate flight safety relating directly to published
aeronautical charts.
    The circumstances that created the need for these SIAP and Takeoff
Minimums and ODP amendments require making them effective in less than
30 days.
    Because of the close and immediate relationship between these
SIAPs, Takeoff Minimums and ODPs, and safety in air commerce, I find
that notice and public procedure under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are
impracticable and contrary to the public interest and, where
applicable, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), good cause exists for making these
SIAPs effective in less than 30 days.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
It, therefore--(1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT
regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979);
and (3) does not warrant preparation of a regulatory evaluation as the
anticipated impact is so minimal. For the same reason, the FAA
certifies that this amendment will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of
the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 97

    Air Traffic Control, Airports, Incorporation by reference,
Navigation (Air).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 4, 2023.
Thomas J Nichols,
Aviation Safety, Flight Standards Service, Manager, Standards Section,
Flight Procedures & Airspace Group, Flight Technologies & Procedures
Division.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me, 14, CFR
part 97 is amended by amending Standard Instrument Approach Procedures
and Takeoff Minimums and ODPs, effective at 0901 UTC on the dates
specified, as follows:

PART 97--STANDARD INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES

0
1. The authority citation for part 97 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103, 40106, 40113, 40114,
40120, 44502, 44514, 44701, 44719, 44721-44722.

0
2. Part 97 is amended to read as follows:
    By amending: Sec.  97.23 VOR, VOR/DME, VOR or TACAN, and VOR/DME or
TACAN; Sec.  97.25 LOC, LOC/DME, LDA, LDA/DME, SDF, SDF/DME; Sec.
97.27 NDB, NDB/DME; Sec.  97.29 ILS, ILS/DME, MLS, MLS/DME, MLS/RNAV;
Sec.  97.31 RADAR SIAPs; Sec.  97.33 RNAV SIAPs; and Sec.  97.35 COPTER
SIAPs, Identified as follows:

* * * Effective Upon Publication

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      AIRAC date           State              City              Airport name        FDC No.      FDC date                  Procedure name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7-Sep-23.............  CA             Petaluma............  Petaluma Muni.......       3/6291      6/29/23  This NOTAM, published in Docket No. 31500,
                                                                                Amdt No. 4072, TL 23-19, (88 FR 48720, July
                                                                                28, 2023) is hereby rescinded in its
                                                                                entirety.

7-Sep-23.............  CA             Petaluma............  Petaluma Muni.......       3/6292      6/29/23  This NOTAM, published in Docket No. 31500,
                                                                                Amdt No. 4072, TL 23-19, (88 FR 48720, July
                                                                                28, 2023) is hereby rescinded in its
                                                                                entirety.
7-Sep-23.............  FL             Orlando.............  Exec................       3/1313    7/25/2023  ILS OR LOC RWY 7, Amdt 24B
7-Sep-23.............  IN             South Bend..........  South Bend Intl.....       3/8911    7/24/2023  ILS OR LOC RWY 27L, ILS RWY 27L (SA CAT I),
                                                                                ILS RWY 27L (SA CAT II), Amdt 36A.
7-Sep-23.............  IN             South Bend..........  South Bend Intl.....       3/8912    7/24/2023  RNAV (GPS) RWY 9L, Amdt 1C.
7-Sep-23.............  IN             South Bend..........  South Bend Intl.....       3/8913    7/24/2023  VOR RWY 18, Amdt 7E.
7-Sep-23.............  IN             South Bend..........  South Bend Intl.....       3/8914    7/24/2023  ILS OR LOC RWY 9R, Amdt 10C.
7-Sep-23.............  IN             South Bend..........  South Bend Intl.....       3/8915    7/24/2023  RNAV (GPS) RWY 27L, Orig-C.
7-Sep-23.............  IN             South Bend..........  South Bend Intl.....       3/8916    7/24/2023  RNAV (GPS) RWY 27R, Amdt 1A.
7-Sep-23.............  IN             South Bend..........  South Bend Intl.....       3/8917    7/24/2023  RNAV (GPS) RWY 18, Amdt 1C.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2023-17851 Filed 8-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 4 (Friday, January 6, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1106-1107]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00016]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2022-0236]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of a Currently
Approved Information Collection: Hazardous Material Safety Permits

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA
announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR)
described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its
review and approval and invites public comment. FMCSA requests approval
to renew an existing ICR titled, ``Hazardous Materials Safety
Permits.'' This ICR requires companies holding safety permits to
develop communications plans that allow for the periodic tracking of
the shipments. A record of the communications that includes the time of
the call and location of the shipment may be kept by either the driver
(e.g., recorded in the log book) or the company. These records must be
kept, either physically or electronically, for at least 6 months at the
company's principal place of business or readily available to the
employees at the company's principal place of business. This ICR is
being renewed only to the extent that the number of motor carriers with
an active Hazardous Materials (HM) Safety Permit has increased from 987
to 1065.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before March 7,
2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Federal Docket
Management System (FDMS) Docket Number FMCSA-2022-0236 using any of the
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail: Dockets Operations; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC, 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and
docket number. For detailed instructions on submitting comments, see
the Public Participation heading below. Note that all comments received
will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov, and follow the
online instructions for accessing the docket, or go to the street
address listed above.
    Privacy Act: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information
the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Public Participation: The Federal eRulemaking Portal is available
24 hours each day, 365 days each year. You can obtain electronic
submission and retrieval help and guidelines under the ``FAQ'' section
of the Federal eRulemaking Portal website. If you want us to notify you
that we received your comments, please include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope or postcard, or print the acknowledgement page that
appears after submitting comments online. Comments received after the
comment closing date will be included in the docket and will be
considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Melissa Williams, Office of
Safety, Hazardous Materials Division, DOT, FMCSA, West Building 6th
Floor, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001; 202-366-
4163; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The Secretary of Transportation is responsible for
implementing regulations to issue safety permits for transporting
certain HM in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.

The HM Safety Permit regulations (49 CFR part 385, subpart E) require
initial or first time HM Safety Permit carriers to file the Unified
Registration System (URS), Form MCSA-1. Currently, update and renewal
applications must be filed with FMCSA using the ``Combined Motor
Carrier Identification Report and HM Permit Application'' (Form MCS-
150B). The HM Safety Permit regulations also require carriers to have a
security program. As part of the HM Safety Permit regulations, carriers
are required to develop and maintain route plans so that law
enforcement officials can verify the correct location of the HM
shipment. FMCSA requires companies holding permits to develop a
communications plan that allows for the periodic tracking of the
shipment. This information covers the record of communications that
includes the time of the call and location of the shipment. The records
may be kept by either the driver (e.g., recorded in the log book) or
the company. These records must be kept, either physically or
electronically, for at least 6 months at the company's principal place
of business or be readily available to employees at the company's
principal place of business.
    Title: Hazardous Materials Safety Permits.
    OMB Control Number: 2126-0030.
    Type of Request: Renewal of a currently approved information
collection.
    Respondents: Motor carriers subject to the Hazardous Materials
Safety Permit requirements in 49 CFR part 385, subpart E.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,065.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes. The communication between
motor carriers and their drivers must take place at least two times per
day. It is estimated that it will take 5 minutes to maintain a daily
communication record for each driver.
    Expiration Date: September 30, 2023.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 750,000 hours [9 million trips x 5
minutes per record / 60 minutes per hour = 750,000, rounded to the
nearest thousand].
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of
this information collection, including: (1) whether the proposed
collection is necessary for the performance of FMCSA's functions; (2)
the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA to enhance the
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4)
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of
the collected information. The Agency will summarize or include your
comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this ICR.

    Issued under the authority of 49 CFR 1.87.
Thomas P. Keane,
Associate Administrator, Office of Research and Registration.
[FR Doc. 2023-00016 Filed 1-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P