[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28761-28763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13504]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-191-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 Series
Airplanes Equipped with SOGERMA-SOCEA Pilot, Co-Pilot, and Third
Occupant Seats
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600
series airplanes, that would have required repetitive inspections to
detect distortion and/or cracks on the attachment brackets of the
backrest recline control locks of certain seats. That proposed AD would
have also required replacement of cracked or distorted brackets and
their associated attachment fittings with new parts, which would have
terminated the repetitive inspection requirements. That proposal was
prompted by a report of failure of the bracket of the backrest recline
control lock on a seat due to fatigue-related cracking. This action
revises the proposed rule by requiring repetitive inspections following
replacement of cracked or distorted brackets and by providing a new
optional terminating modification for the repetitive inspections. The
actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to prevent fatigue-
related cracking and/or distortion, which could result in failure of
the seat backrest attach fitting, and the subsequent uncommanded
50 deg. angle recline of the pilot or co-pilot seat; this situation
could lead to the temporary inability of the pilots to control the
airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 23, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-191-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from SOGERMA-SOCEA, Group Aerospatiale, Product Support
Department, B.P. 109, 17303 Rochefort Cedex, France. This information
may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-191-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. [[Page 28762]] 94-NM-191-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to
certain Airbus Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes, was published
as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on
December 16, 1994 (59 FR 64872). That NPRM would have required
repetitive detailed visual inspections to detect distortion and/or
cracks on the attachment brackets of the seat backrest recline control
locks. That NPRM would have also required replacement of both of the
brackets and their associated attachment fittings with new parts; this
replacement would have constituted terminating action for the
repetitive inspection requirements. That NPRM was prompted by a report
of failure of the bracket of the backrest recline control lock on a
seat due to fatigue-related cracking. Fatigue cracks and/or distortion
of the bracket of the backrest recline control lock, if not detected
and corrected in a timely manner, could result in failure of the seat
backrest attach fittings, and the subsequent uncommanded 50 deg. angle
recline of the pilot or co-pilot seat; this situation could lead to the
temporary inability of the pilots to control the airplane.
Due consideration has been given to the comments received in
response to the NPRM:
Two commenters request that the FAA revise the proposed rule to
include SOGERMA-SOCEA Service Bulletin 25-233 as an optional
terminating modification for the repetitive inspection requirements.
The FAA concurs. Since the issuance of that NPRM, SOGERMA-SOCEA has
issued Service Bulletin 25-233, Revision 1, dated January 9, 1995,
which describes procedures for modification of the backing of the
control locks fittings of the backrest recline. This modification
involves replacing lock washers with a back-plate and a flat washer.
Accomplishment of this modification would eliminate the need for the
repetitive inspections. The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, approved this
service bulletin and issued French airworthiness directive 94-188-
162(B) R1 in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in France.
The FAA examined the findings of the DGAC and reviewed the new
service information. The FAA finds that replacement of the distorted or
cracked brackets, as specified in the proposal, cannot preclude further
cracking or distortion in the seat backrest attach fittings. Therefore,
to ensure safety of the fleet, the FAA finds that inspections of the
attachment brackets of the backrest recline controls locks of certain
seats must be performed repetitively following replacement of distorted
or cracked brackets, as specified in the French airworthiness
directive. The FAA has revised paragraph (a) of this supplemental NPRM
accordingly. In addition, the FAA has revised this supplemental NPRM to
provide a new optional terminating modification for the repetitive
inspections, as described in SOGERMA-SOCEA Service Bulletin 25-233 and
specified in the French airworthiness directive.
Since these changes expand the scope of the originally proposed
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.
The FAA estimates that 49 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the
manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$11,760, or $240 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
Should an operator elect to accomplish the optional terminating
action that would be provided by this proposed AD action, the number of
hours required to accomplish it would be approximately 1 per airplane,
at an average labor charge of $60 per work hour. Required parts would
be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of the optional terminating action
on U.S. operators would be $60 per airplane.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Airbus Industrie: Docket 94-NM-191-AD.
Applicability: Model A310 and A300-600 series airplanes equipped
with SOGERMA-SOCEA pilot, co-pilot, and third occupant seats; as
listed in SOGERMA-SOCEA Service Bulletin 25-229, dated November 26,
1993; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
[[Page 28763]] case does the presence of any modification,
alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of
this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fatigue cracks and/or distortion in the seat bracket
of the backrest recline control lock, which could result in failure
of the seat backrest attach fittings, the uncommanded 50 deg. angle
recline of the pilot or co-pilot seat, and, subsequently, lead to
the temporary inability of the pilots to control the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total flight hours or
within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, perform a detailed visual inspection to
detect distortion and/or cracks on the attachment brackets of the
backrest recline control locks of certain seats, in accordance with
SOGERMA-SOCEA Service Bulletin 25-229, dated November 26, 1993.
(1) If no bracket is distorted or cracked, repeat the inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours.
(2) If any bracket is distorted or cracked, prior to further
flight, accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Replace both of the brackets and their associated attachment
fittings with new parts, in accordance with SOGERMA-SOCEA Service
Bulletin 25-229, dated November 26, 1993. Thereafter, repeat the
inspection at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours. Or,
(ii) Modify the backing of the control locks fittings of the
backrest recline, in accordance with SOGERMA-SOCEA Service Bulletin
25-233, Revision 1, dated January 9, 1995. Accomplishment of this
modification constitutes terminating action for the repetitive
inspection requirements of this AD.
(b) Modification of the backing of the control locks fittings of
the backrest recline, in accordance with SOGERMA-SOCEA Service
Bulletin 25-233, Revision 1, dated January 9, 1995, constitutes
terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of
this AD.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 26, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-13504 Filed 6-1-95; 8:45 am]
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