[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38017-38018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18502]
[[Page 38017]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-123-AD; Amendment 39-10079; AD 97-15-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737, 747, 757, and 767
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to certain Boeing Model 737, 747, 757, and 767 series
airplanes. This action requires a one-time operational test of the
pilots' seat locks and the seat tracks to ensure that the seats lock in
position and the seat tracks are aligned correctly; and re-alignment of
the seat tracks, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports
indicating that a pilot's seat slid from the forward position to the
aft-most position during acceleration and take-off of the airplane due
to misalignment of the seat tracks. The actions specified in this AD
are intended to prevent uncommanded movement of the pilots' seats
during acceleration and take-off of the airplane, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Effective July 31, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 31, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before September 15, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-123-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington
98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW.,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Nemecek, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; telephone (425) 227-2773;
fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received reports indicating that
a pilot seat slid to the aft-most position during acceleration and
take-off on a Boeing Model 737 series airplane. Investigation revealed
that the seat track was aligned incorrectly; misalignment of the seat
tracks can occur when seat tracks have been re-installed or replaced
without fully testing the seat lock mechanism. Such misalignment of the
seat tracks, if not corrected, could result in uncommanded movement of
the pilots' crew seats during acceleration and take-off of the
airplane, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
Similar Models Subject to the Unsafe Condition
Lock mechanisms of the seat tracks of the pilots' seats installed
on Model 737 series airplanes are similar to those installed on Boeing
Model 747, 757, and 767 series airplanes; therefore, all of these
models may be subject to this same unsafe condition.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved the following Boeing Service
Bulletins, all dated December 19, 1996:
737-25-1334 (for Model 737 series airplanes);
747-25-3132 (for Model 747 series airplanes);
757-25-0183 (for Model 757 series airplanes); and
767-25-0244 (for Model 767 series airplanes).
These service bulletins describe procedures for a one-time
operational test of the pilots' seat locks and the seat tracks to
ensure that the seats lock in position and the seat tracks are aligned
correctly. These service bulletins also describe procedures to re-align
the seat tracks, if necessary.
Additionally, these service bulletins point out that the
appropriate Airplane Maintenance Manuals (AMM) have been revised to
include procedures for accomplishing continuing operational tests of
the seat locks, and re-alignment of the seat tracks, if necessary. The
one-time operational test of the pilots' seat locks and seat tracks,
and re-alignment, if necessary, as described in the service bulletins,
along with continued accomplishment of those procedures in accordance
with the AMM, will prevent uncommanded movement of the pilots' seats
during acceleration and take-off of the airplane.
Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Boeing Model 737, 747, 757, and 767 series
airplanes of the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent
uncommanded movement of the pilots' seats due to misalignment of the
seat tracks. This AD requires a one-time operational test of the
pilots' seat locks and the seat tracks to ensure that the seats lock in
position and that the seat tracks are aligned correctly. This AD also
requires re-alignment of the seat tracks, if necessary. The actions are
required to be accomplished in accordance with the applicable service
bulletin described previously.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
[[Page 38018]]
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-123-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
97-15-06 Boeing: Amendment 39-10079. Docket 97-NM-123-AD.
Applicability: Model 737, 747, 757, and 767 series airplanes
equipped with IPECO pilots' seats; as listed in Boeing Service
Bulletins 737-25-1334, 747-25-3132, 757-25-0183, and 767-25-0244;
all dated December 19, 1996; 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent uncommanded movement of the pilots' seats during
acceleration and take-off of the airplane; accomplish the following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time operational test of the pilots' seats and the seat locks
to determine that the lock pin of the seat track fully engages in
all lock positions of the seat track, in accordance with Boeing
Service Bulletin 737-25-1334 (for Model 737 series airplanes), 747-
25-3132 (for Model 747 series airplanes), 757-25-0183 (for Model 757
series airplanes), or 767-25-0244 (for Model 767 series airplanes);
all dated December 19, 1996; as applicable.
(1) If the seat lock pin fully engages in all lock positions of
the seat track, no further action is required by this AD.
(2) If the seat lock pin does not fully engage in all positions
of the seat track, prior to further flight, re-align the seat
tracks, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin specified
in paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), 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, Seattle ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(c) 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.
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service
Bulletin 737-25-1334, dated December 19, 1996; Boeing Service
Bulletin 747-25-3132, dated December 19, 1996; Boeing Service
Bulletin 757-25-0183, dated December 19, 1996; or Boeing Service
Bulletin 767-25-0244, dated December 19, 1996. This incorporation by
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707,
Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 31, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 9, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-18502 Filed 7-15-97; 8:45 am]
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