[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52145-52147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22257]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 169 / Tuesday, September 2, 2003 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 52145]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Anjou Aeronautique Safety Belts and 
Restraint Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Anjou Aeronautique (ANJOU) (formerly 
TRW Repa S.A., formerly L'AIGLON) safety belts and restraint systems 
that are installed in aircraft. This proposed AD would require you to 
inspect safety belts and restraint systems for defects and service life 
limits, and, if necessary, repair safety belts and restraint systems 
that have not reached service life limits; and replace safety belts and 
restraint systems that have reached service life limits. This proposed 
AD is the result of field reports of inadvertent unbuckling of the 
ANJOU seat belts and two safety recommendations to take AD action. The 
actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect and 
correct defective safety belts and restraint systems, which could 
result in failure of the safety belts and restraint systems. Such 
failure could lead to lack of occupant restraint during normal or crash 
loads.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before November 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from Anjou Aeronautique, 13 Avenue De L'Osier, 49125 Tierce, France; 
telephone: 33 0 2 41 42 88 92; facsimile: 33 0 2 41 42 15 77. You may 
also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the proposed rule's docket number and submit your comments to 
the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) 
Number CE-02-44, dated September 4, 2002, for SOCATA--Groupe 
AEROSPATIALE (SOCATA) Model TBM 700 airplanes, concerning ANJOU seat 
belts. At that time, FAA did not make a determination of an unsafe 
condition and take AD action.
    Later, FAA issued SAIB Number CE-03-06, dated November 7, 2002, for 
SOCATA Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C 
airplanes, concerning ANJOU seat belts. Again, FAA then did not make a 
determination of an unsafe condition and take AD action.
    Continued field reports were received of inadvertent unbuckling of 
the ANJOU seat belts. Two safety recommendations were made to take FAA 
AD action (NPRM) to propose to require replacement of certain safety 
belts and restraint systems.
    In light of the field reports and safety recommendations, we issued 
a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all SOCATA Models TB 9, 
TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 
150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on March 7, 2003 (68 FR 11015). The NPRM proposed to require you 
to replace certain safety belts and restraint systems.
    Comments received on the NPRM suggest that FAA withdraw the 
proposal and that FAA consider issuing a new NPRM to propose that you:
    [sbull] Inspect certain ANJOU safety belts and restraint systems 
that are installed in airplanes for defects and service life limits;

[[Page 52146]]

    [sbull] Repair defective safety belts and restraint systems that 
have not reached service life limits; and
    [sbull] Replace safety belts and restraint systems that have 
reached service life limits.
    We agree, and therefore, are withdrawing that NPRM.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not corrected?

    These defective safety belts and restraint systems could result in 
failure of the safety belts and restraint systems. Such failure could 
lead to lack of occupant restraint during normal or crash loads.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    ANJOU has issued this service information:
    [sbull] Service Bulletin No. 343-25-02, Issue 1, dated October 23, 
2001; and
    [sbull] Service Bulletin No. 343-1-25-01, Issue 1, dated October 
23, 2001.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletins include procedures for:
    [sbull] Inspecting the buckles of the safety belts and restraint 
systems for defects;
    [sbull] Replacing defective buckle springs; and
    [sbull] Replacing safety belts and restraint systems when the 
service life limit is reached.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This 
Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, we have 
determined that:
    [sbull] The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or 
could develop on type design aircraft that incorporate ANJOU safety 
belts and restraint systems, types 343 and 343-1;
    [sbull] The ANJOU safety belts and restraint systems, types 343 and 
343-1, should be immediately inspected for correct installation and 
eventually replaced; and
    [sbull] AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe 
condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service bulletins.

How Does the Revision to 14 CFR Part 39 Affect This Proposed AD?

    On July 10, 2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to special flight 
permits, alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. This 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

Cost Impact

How Many Aircraft Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that at least 617 aircraft in the U.S. registry could 
have the affected ANJOU safety belts and restraint systems installed. 
Some aircraft have more than one unit installed.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish this proposed 
inspection and repair:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
                                                          6 safety belts
            Labor cost                   Parts cost        and restraint
                                                              systems
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour per 6 safety belts and   No cost.............            $65.
 restraint systems x $65 per hour
 = $65.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The number of installed safety belts and restraint systems may vary 
by individual aircraft configuration. Therefore, we have no way of 
determining the replacement cost for this proposed AD.

Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of this proposed AD is within 50 hours time-in-
service or 4 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first.

Why Is The Compliance Time of This Proposed AD Presented in Both Hours 
TIS and Calendar Time?

    Defective safety belts and restraint systems are a direct result of 
use of the safety belts and restraint systems. However, defective 
safety belts and restraint systems are not necessarily a result of 
repetitive airplane operation. For example, defective safety belts and 
restraint systems could occur on an affected airplane within a short 
period of airplane operation while you could operate another affected 
airplane for a considerable amount of time without experiencing 
defective safety belts and restraint systems. Therefore, to assure that 
any defective safety belt and restraint system is detected and 
corrected in a timely manner without inadvertently grounding any of the 
affected airplanes, we are utilizing a compliance time based upon both 
hours TIS and calendar time.

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
action (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 has been placed 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, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator,

[[Page 52147]]

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Anjou Aeronautique (Formerly TRW REPA S.A., Formerly L'Aiglon): 
Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD

    (a) This AD affects Anjou Aeronautique safety belts and 
restraint systems specified in paragraph (a)(1) that are installed 
on, but not limited to, the aircraft specified in paragraph (a)(2) 
that are certificated in any category:
    (1) Anjou Aeronautique safety belts and restraint systems: Part 
Numbers/Types 343, 343-1, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, 343D, and 
343M.
    (2) Affected aircraft: The following is a list of aircraft that 
may incorporate the affected Anjou Aeronautique safety belts and 
restraint systems:
    (i) Eurocopter France Models AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, 
and AS350B2 helicopters; and
    (ii) SOCATA--Groupe Aerospatiale TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 
200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, 
and Rallye 235C airplanes.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
an aircraft equipped with one of the affected safety belts and 
restraint systems must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct defective safety belts 
and restraint systems, which could result in failure of the safety 
belts and restraint systems. Such failure could lead to lack of 
occupant restraint during normal or crash loads.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Actions                                  Compliance                          Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the installed Anjou            Within the next 50 hours time-in-service  For types 343, 343AM, 343B,
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon        (TIS) after the effective date of this    343BM, 343C, 343CM, 343D,
 safety belts and restraint systems         AD or 4 calendar months after the         or 343M: In accordance
 (types 343, 343-1, 343AM, 343B, 343BM,     effective date of this AD, whichever      with Aujou Aeronautique
 343C, 343CM, 343D, or 343M) for:           occurs first, unless already              Service Bulletin No. 343-
(i) defective buckle latch; and             accomplished. Repetitively inspect        25-02, Issue 1, dated
(ii) exceeded service life.                 thereafter at every 12 calendar months    October 23, 2001. For type
                                            until the affected safety belt and        343-1: In accordance with
                                            restraint system is replaced as           Anjou Aeronautique Service
                                            specified by paragraph (d)(3) of this     Bulletin No. 343-1-23-01,
                                            AD.                                       Issue 1, dated October 23,
                                                                                      2001.
(2) If any defective buckle latch or       Prior to further flight after any         For Types 343, 343AM, 343B,
 safety belt and restraint systems with     inspection required by paragraph (d)(1)   343BM, 343C, 343CM, 343D,
 exceeded service-life is found during      of this AD.                               or 343M: In accordance
 any inspection required by paragraph                                                 with Anjou Aeronautique
 (d)(1) of this AD:                                                                   Service Bulletin No. 343-1-
(i) For any defective buckle latch,                                                   25-02, Issue 1, dated
 replace defective parts with new parts.                                              October 23, 2001. For type
(ii) For any safety belt and restraint                                                343-1: In accordance with
 system that has exceeded its service                                                 Anjou Aeronautique Service
 life, replace with a non-Anjou                                                       Bulletin No. 343-1-23-01,
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon FAA-                                             Issue 1, dated October 23,
 approved safety belt and restraint                                                   2001.
 system. The service life limit for the
 Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./
 L'Aiglon is 60 calendar months after the
 date of manufacture.
(3) Replace any installed Anjou            Prior to exceeding the service life       Not Applicable.
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon        limit of 60 calendar months after the
 safety belts and restraint systems         date of manufacture or 4 calendar
 (types 343, 343-1, 343AM, 343B, 343BM,     months after the effective date of this
 343C, 343CM, 343D, or 343M). Replacement   AD, whichever occurs later.
 of all safety belts and restraint
 systems eliminates the need for the
 repetitive inspections of paragraph
 (d)(1) of this AD.
(4) Do not install any Anjou Aeronautique/ As of the effective date of this AD.      Not Applicable.
 TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon types 343, 343-1,
 343M, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM,
 and 343D safety belts and restraint
 systems.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: All inertia-reel type safety belts and restraint systems 
or fixed rear safety belts and restraint systems from another 
manufacturer are not affected by this AD.

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, 
follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the 
Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate. For 
information on any already approved alternative methods of 
compliance, contact Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (f) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from Anjou 
Aeronautique, 13 Avenue De L'Osier, 49125 Tierce, France; telephone: 
33 0 2 41 42 88 92; facsimile: 33 0 2 41 42 15 77. You may view 
these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 25, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22257 Filed 8-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P