[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75391-75394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31666]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD; Amendment 39-13403; AD 2003-26-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Anjou Aeronautique Safety Belts and 
Restraint Systems

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Anjou Aeronautique (ANJOU) (formerly TRW Repa S.A., formerly L'AIGLON) 
safety belts and restraint systems that are installed in aircraft. This 
AD requires 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 AD is the result of reports of inadvertent unbuckling 
of the ANJOU seat belts and two safety recommendations to take AD 
action. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective safety 
belts and restraint systems, which could result in failure of the 
safety belts and restraint systems. This failure could lead to lack of 
occupant restraint during normal or crash loads.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 17, 2004.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of 
February 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified 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 the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This 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.
    We continued to receive field reports of inadvertent unbuckling of 
the ANJOU seat belts. The FAA received two safety recommendations to 
take AD action (NPRM) to propose to require replacement of certain 
safety belts and restraint systems.

[[Page 75392]]

    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:

--inspect certain ANJOU safety belts and restraint systems that are 
installed in airplanes for defects and service life limits;
--repair defective 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.

    We agree, and therefore, are withdrawing that NPRM.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

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

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

    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 
certain ANJOU (formerly TRW Repa S.A., formerly L'AIGLON) safety belts 
and restraint systems that are installed in aircraft. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on September 2, 2003 (68 FR 52145). The NPRM proposed 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.

Comments

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on 
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed 
except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these 
minor corrections:

--provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

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

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.

Costs of Compliance

How Many Airplanes Does This AD Impact?

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

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 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 applicable service information identifies that replacement 
parts are available free of charge. For replacement of a safety belt 
assembly, the parts cost is approximately $150 per seat belt assembly. 
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 AD.

Compliance Time of This AD

What Is the Compliance Time of This AD?

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

Why Is the Compliance Time of This 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 using a compliance time based upon both 
hours TIS and calendar time.

Regulatory Findings

Will This AD Impact Various Entities?

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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.

[[Page 75393]]

Will This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    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. 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-26-06 Anjou Aeronautique (Formerly TRW REPA S.A., Formerly 
L'Aiglon): Amendment 39-13403; Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on February 17, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Anjou Aeronautique safety belts and 
restraint systems specified in paragraph (c)(1) that are installed 
on, but not limited to, the aircraft specified in paragraph (c)(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.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of reports of inadvertent unbuckling 
of the ANJOU seat belts and two safety recommendations to take AD 
action. The actions specified in 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. This 
failure could lead to lack of occupant restraint during normal or 
crash loads.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the installed     Within the next 50    For types 343,
 Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa   hours time-in-        343AM, 343B, 343BM,
 S.A./L'Aiglon safety belts    service (TIS) after   343C, 343CM, 343D,
 and restraint systems         February 17, 2004     or 343M: Follow
 (types 343, 343-1, 343AM,     (the effective date   Anjou Aeronautique
 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM,     of this AD) or 4      Service Bulletin
 343D, or 343M) for:           calendar months       No. No. 343-25-02,
(i) defective buckle latch;    after February 17,    Issue 1, dated
 and.                          2004 (the effective   October 23, 2001.
(ii) exceeded service life..   date of this AD),     For type 343-1:
                               whichever occurs      Follow Anjou
                               first, unless         Aeronautique
                               already               Service Bulletin
                               accomplished.         No. 343-1-25-01,
                               Repetitively          Issue 1, dated
                               inspect thereafter    October 23, 2001.
                               at every 12
                               calendar months
                               until the affected
                               safety belt and
                               restraint system is
                               replaced as
                               specified by
                               paragraph (e)(3) of
                               this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) If any defective buckle   Prior to further      For types 343,
 latch or safety belt and      flight after any      343AM, 343B, 343BM,
 restraint system with         inspection required   343C, 343CM, 343D,
 exceeded service life is      by paragraph (e)(1)   or 343M: Follow
 found during any inspection   of this AD.           Anjou Aeronautique
 required by paragraph                               Service Bulletin
 (e)(1) of this AD:                                  No. No. 343-25-02,
(i) For any defective buckle                         Issue 1, dated
 latch, replace defective                            October 23, 2001.
 parts with new parts..                              For type 343-1:
(ii) For any safety belt and                         Follow Anjou
 restraint system that has                           Aeronautique
 exceeded its service life,                          Service Bulletin
 replace with a non-Anjou                            No. 343-1-25-01,
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./                         Issue 1, dated
 L'Aiglon FAA-approved                               October 23, 2001.
 safety belt and restraint
 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     Prior to exceeding    Not Applicable.
 Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa   the service life
 S.A./L'Aiglon safety belts    limit of 60
 and restraint systems         calendar months
 (types 343, 343-1, 343AM,     after the date of
 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM,     manufacture or 4
 343D, or 343M). Replacement   calendar months
 of all safety belts and       after February 17,
 restraint systems             2004 (the effective
 eliminates the need for the   date of this AD),
 repetitive inspections of     whichever occurs
 paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.  later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75394]]

 
(4) Do not install any Anjou  As of February 17,    Not Applicable.
 Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./   2004 (the effective
 L'Aiglon types 343, 343-1,    date of this AD).
 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.

What About Alternative Methods of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.13. Send your request to the Manager, Manager, Standards 
Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. 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.

Is There Material Incorporated by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD per Anjou 
Aeronautique Service Bulletin No. 343-25-02, Issue 1, dated October 
23, 2001, and Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin No. 343-1-25-01, 
Issue 1, dated October 23, 2001. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service 
bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You 
may get a copy 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 review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 17, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31666 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
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