Airworthiness directives: Sicma Aero Seat, 17045-17046 [E7-6478]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration

[Federal Register: April 6, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 66)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 17045-17046]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ap07-14]                         


[[Page 17045]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27346; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; 90XX and 92XX Sicma Aero Seat Passenger 
Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    Cracks have been found in central spreaders P/N 92-000100-200-1 
or P/N 92-000101-200-1. This may heavily affect the structural 
integrity of the seat.

    Failure of the central spreaders could result in injury to an 
occupant during emergency conditions. The proposed AD would require 
actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in 
the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 7, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow 

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 

Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov
; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate; 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone 781-238-7161; fax 781-238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
27346; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-07-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will 

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
aviation authority for France, has issued French Airworthiness 
Directive 2002-504(AB), dated October 12, 2002, (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Cracks have been found in central spreaders P/N 92-000100-200-1 
or P/N 92-000101-200-1. This may heavily affect the structural 
integrity of the seat.

    Failure of the central spreaders could result in injury to an 
occupant during emergency conditions.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Sicma Aero Seat has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 92-25-005, 
revision 3, dated January 17, 2003. The actions described in this 
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority 
and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. These 
requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over the 
actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 3,283 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate 
that it would

[[Page 17046]]

take about 6.017 work-hours per product to comply with this proposed 
AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would 
cost about $206.75 per product. Where the service information lists 
required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed 
that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not control 
warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs 
higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the 
cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $2,259,064.

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 above, 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); and
    3. 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 a regulatory 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, 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Sicma Aero Seat: Docket No. FAA-2007-27346; Directorate Identifier 
2007-NE-07-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 7, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to 90XX and 92XX Sicma Aero Seat passenger 
seats. These products are installed on, but not limited to, 
Aerospatiale ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes.

Reason

    (d) Cracks have been found in central spreaders P/N 92-000100-
200-1 or P/N 92-000101-200-1. This may heavily affect the structural 
integrity of the seat.
    Failure of the central spreaders could result in injury to an 
occupant during emergency conditions.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Before 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Perform a visual inspection of central spreaders P/N 92-
000100-200-1 or P/N 92-000101-200-1 of the affected seats using the 
Accomplishment Instructions ``Checking Procedures'' of Sicma Aero 
Seat Service Bulletin (SB) 92-25-005, revision 3, dated January 17, 
2003. If no crack is found, repeat this inspection at intervals not 
exceeding 500 flight hours.
    (2) Type 1, 2, and 3 cracks are defined in the Accomplishment 
Instructions ``Checking Procedures'' of Sicma Aero Seat SB 92-25-
005, revision 3, dated January 17, 2003.
    (i) If a type 1 crack is found, before 6 months or before 500 
flight hours, whichever comes first, check the crack to determine 
that it did not enlarge to a type 2 or type 3 crack, install 
doublers P/N 00-6536, and record this modification by using Part 
One; B ``Seat identification'' of Sicma SB 92-25-005, revision 3, 
dated January 17, 2003.
    (ii) If a type 2 or 3 crack is found, before further flight, 
replace the affected central spreader with a new one with the same 
part number, equipped with doublers P/N 00-6536.
    (iii) If a new spreader is unavailable, do a temporary repair by 
installing doublers P/N 00-6536. This temporary repair may remain in 
place no longer than 500 flight hours or six months, whichever comes 
first. After removing the temporary repair, install a new spreader 
with the same part number equipped with doublers P/N 00-6536, and 
record this modification by following the instructions in paragraph 
Part Three; B ``Seat identification'' of Sicma SB 92-25-005, 
revision 3, dated January 17, 2003.
    (3) If not already done, before March 31, 2010, install doublers 
P/N 00-6536 on central spreaders of affected seats. Record this 
modification by following instructions in Part Two; B ``Seat 
identification'' of Sicma SB 92-25-005, revision 3, dated January 
17, 2003.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) This AD differs from the DGAC mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) and/or service information in the 
terminating action date for installing doublers P/N 00-6536 on 
central spreaders of affected seats. The MCAI requires these 
doublers to be installed by December 31, 2005. This AD, written in 
2007, requires the doublers to be installed by March 31, 2010.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: None.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI DGAC Airworthiness Directive 2002-504(AB), 
dated October 12, 2002, and Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 92-25-
005, revision 3, dated January 17, 2003, for related information.
    (i) Contact Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate; 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: 
Jeffery.lee@faa.gov; telephone 781-238-7161; fax 781-238-7170, for 

more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 2, 2007.
Peter A. White,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-6478 Filed 4-5-07; 8:45 am]

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