[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P