[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 190 (Monday, October 2, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51375-51376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24439]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-ANE-25]


Airworthiness Directives; PTC Seating Products Division, B/E 
Aerospace, Model 950 Series Passenger Seats Equipped With Footrest 
Assembly

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to PTC Seating Products Division, B/E 
Aerospace (PTC), formally known as PTC Aerospace, Model 950 series 
passenger seats with footrest assembly. This proposal would require the 
removal of the footrest assembly arms and the installation of a 
conversion kit on each PTC Model 950 series passenger seat equipped 
with footrest assembly. This proposal is prompted by two incidents of 
finger injuries that occurred during attempts to either extend or 
retract the footrest system on PTC Model 950 series passenger seats 
equipped with footrest assembly. The actions specified by the proposed 
AD are intended to prevent injury to hands during the operation of a 
PTC Model 950 series passenger seat equipped with footrest assembly.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 1, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-25, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from B/E Aerospace, PTC Seating Products Division, 607 Bantam 
Road, Litchfield, CT 06759. This information may be examined at the 
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Noll, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone (617) 238-7160, fax (617) 238-7199.

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 should 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 95-ANE-25.'' 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, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-25, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    The FAA received two reports of incidents of finger injuries that 
occurred during attempts to either extend or retract the footrest 
system on PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace (PTC) Model 950 
series passenger seats equipped with footrest assembly. The first 
incident resulted in an injury to a passenger's finger when reportedly 
reaching down to try to pull the footrest out by hand. The second 
incident resulted in injury to a passenger's finger when that passenger 
tried to help another passenger and got a finger caught in the footrest 
mechanism. This condition, if not corrected, could result in injury to 
hands during operation of PTC Model 950 series passenger seats equipped 
with footrest assembly.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of PTC 
Aerospace Model 950 Series Service Bulletin (SB) 25-1192, Revision A, 
dated March 16, 1992, and PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace 
SB 25-1330, dated July 27, 1994, that describes procedures for removal 
and installation of PTC Model 950 series passenger seats equipped with 
footrest assembly.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require a mandatory removal of PTC Model 950 series 
footrest assembly arms, and the installation of a conversion kit on PTC 
Model 950 series passenger seats equipped with a footrest. The actions 
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletins described previously.
    There are approximately 5800 seats equipped with footrest assembly 
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 
5000 seats equipped with footrest assembly installed on aircraft of 
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately .3/4 work hours per seat to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 

[[Page 51376]]
Required parts would cost approximately $30 per seat. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $225,000.
    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. 106(g); 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace: Docket No. 95-ANE-25.

    Applicability: PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace 
(PTC) Model 950 series passenger seat equipped with footrest 
assembly.

    Note: This AD applies to each seat 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 seats equipped with footrest assembly 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 (b) 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 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any seat from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent injury to hands during operation of the PTC Model 950 
series passenger seats equipped with footrest assembly, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within nine calendar months after the effective date of this 
AD.
    (1) Remove seat footrest assembly arms, P/N 98440-1 or -2, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of PTC Aerospace 
Service Bulletin (SB) 25-1192, Revision A, dated March 16, 1992.
    (2) Install conversion kit, P/N 122966-1, in accordance with 
Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions of PTC Seating Products 
Division, B/E Aerospace SB 25-1330, dated July 27, 1994.
    (b) 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, Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 18, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-24439 Filed 9-29-95; 8:45 am]
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