[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 98 (Thursday, May 20, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29109-29111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11409]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aviointeriors S.p.A. Series 312 Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness 
directive (AD) for Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN), series 312 
seats. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of 
the seat central crossmember for cracks, and if necessary, replacing 
the crossmember with a new crossmember. This proposed AD would require 
the same actions and would add other crossmember part numbers for 
inspection. In addition, this proposed AD would replace the original 
design crossmembers with reinforced design crossmembers as optional 
terminating actions to the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD 
results from reports of 88 cracked seat central crossmembers and 60 
aisle side crossmembers, to date, and from the introduction of 
reinforced seat crossmembers by the manufacturer. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent the

[[Page 29110]]

loss of the structural integrity of the seat due to cracks in seat 
crossmembers.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 19, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD:
     By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2004-NE-16-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
     By fax: (781) 238-7055.
     By e-mail: [email protected].
    You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Aviointeriors S.p.A., Via Appia Km. 66.4--04013 Latina, Italy; 
telephone: 39-0773-6891; fax: 39-0773-631546.
    You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New 
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; 
telephone: 781-238-7161; fax: 781-238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2000-NE-09-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a 
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and 
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received 
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those 
comments.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service 
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the 
location.

Discussion

    On August 30, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-18-04, Amendment 39-
11889 (65 FR 58177, September 27, 2000). That AD requires initial and 
repetitive inspections of the seat central crossmember for cracks, and 
if necessary, replacing the crossmember with a new crossmember. The 
Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (ENAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on the crossmembers of Aviointeriors S.p.A. 
(formerly ALVEN) model 312 seats. The ENAC advises that cracks were 
found in three seat central crossmembers during routine maintenance.

Actions After We Issued AD 2000-18-04

    After we issued AD 2000-18-04, the ENAC notified us that a total of 
88 seat central crossmembers and 60 seat aisle side crossmembers on 
series 312 seats have been reported cracked to date. Also, after we 
issued that AD, Aviointeriors S.p.A. introduced optional replacement 
seat crossmembers that are a reinforced design.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Aviointeriors service bulletin (SB) No 312/912-01, Revision 2, dated 
August 1, 2000, and SB No. 312/912-02, Revision 1, dated August 1, 
2000. These SBs describe the procedures for inspecting crossmembers for 
cracks and, if necessary, replacing the crossmember with a new 
crossmember. We have also reviewed and approved Aviointeriors SB No. 
312/912-03, dated August 1, 2000, and SB No. 312/912-04, dated August 
1, 2000. These SBs describe the procedures for replacing crossmembers 
with reinforced design crossmembers. The ENAC classified the inspection 
service bulletins as mandatory and issued AD 2000-511 and AD 2000-512, 
both dated November 7, 2000, in order to ensure the airworthiness of 
these seats in Italy.

Bilateral Agreement Information

    These series 312 seats are manufactured in Italy and are approved 
for use on airplanes that are type certificated for operation in the 
United States under the provisions of Sec.  21.617 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.617) and the applicable bilateral 
airworthiness agreement. In keeping with this bilateral airworthiness 
agreement, the ENAC has kept the FAA informed of the situation 
described above. We have examined the findings of the ENAC, reviewed 
all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary 
for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in 
the United States.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require initial and repetitive inspections of seat central and 
aisle side crossmembers for cracks, and if necessary, replacing the 
crossmember with a new crossmember. This proposed AD would also 
introduce replacing the original design crossmember with a reinforced 
crossmember as an optional terminating action to the repetitive 
inspections. The proposed AD would require that you do these actions 
using the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 1,020 Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN) series 
312 seats installed on airplanes of U.S. registry that would be 
affected by this proposed AD. We estimate that it would take about 0.5 
work hours per seat to perform the proposed inspections, and about one 
hour per seat to perform the proposed replacement of a crossmember. The 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $650.50 per seat. Based on these figures, we estimate the total 
cost of one inspection and total parts replacement to U.S. operators to 
be $729,810.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;

[[Page 29111]]

    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Would 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 proposal 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. 2000-NE-09-AD'' in your request.

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, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-11889 (65 FR 
58177, September 27, 2000) and by adding a new airworthiness directive, 
to read as follows:

Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN): Docket No. 2000-NE-09-AD. 
Supersedes AD 2000-18-04, Amendment 39-11889.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by July 19, 
2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2000-18-04.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN), 
model 312 seats. These seats are installed in, but not limited to, 
Fokker Model F27 Mark 050, Mark 500, and Mark 600 airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of 88 cracked seat central 
crossmembers, and 60 aisle side crossmembers, to date, and from the 
introduction of reinforced seat crossmembers by the manufacturer. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent the loss of 
the structural integrity of the seat due to cracks in the seat 
crossmembers.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the 
actions have already been done.

Initial Visual Inspection

    (f) Perform an initial visual inspection of the crossmember for 
cracks, within 12,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 180 days 
after the effective date of this AD if the crossmember has more than 
12,000 hours TIS, as follows:
    (1) Inspect seat central crossmembers, part number (P/N) 
DM03437-1, using Section 2. Inspection Procedure of Aviointeriors 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 312/912-01, Revision 2, dated August 1, 
2000.
    (2) Replace any cracked central crossmember with a new 
crossmember of the same P/N. Use Section 3. Crossmember Replacement 
Procedure, Steps 3.1 though 3.10 of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-01, 
Revision 2, dated August 1, 2000.
    (3) Inspect seat aisle side crossmembers, P/Ns DM03435-1 and 
DM03435-2, and DM03437-1 (Disabled People seat application), using 
Section 2. Inspection Procedure of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-02, 
Revision 1, dated August 1, 2000.
    (4) Replace any cracked aisle side crossmember with a new 
crossmember of the same P/N. Use Section 3. Crossmember Replacement 
Procedure, Steps 3.1 though 3.8 of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-02, 
Revision 1, dated August 1, 2000.

Repetitive Visual Inspections

    (g) Perform repetitive visual inspections of crossmembers, P/N 
DM03437-1, DM03435-1, and DM03435-2, for cracks, within 650 hours 
TIS after the last inspection. Use paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(4) 
of this AD to inspect and disposition crossmembers.

Optional Terminating Action

    (h) As optional terminating actions to the repetitive 
inspections required by this AD, do the following:
    (1) Replace seat central crossmembers, P/N DM03437-1, with 
reinforced crossmembers, P/N F11541300000. Use Section 2. 
Crossmember Replacement Procedure, Steps 2.1 through 2.11 of 
Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-03, dated August 1, 2000.
    (2) Replace seat aisle side crossmembers, P/N DM03435-1, 
DM03435-2, and DM03437-1 (Disabled People seat application), with 
reinforced crossmembers, P/N F11555400000, F11555500000, and 
F11541300000, respectively. Use Section 2. Crossmember Replacement 
Procedure, Steps 2.1 through 2.11 of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-
04, dated August 1, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (i) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, has the 
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) None.

Related Information

    (k) Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile airworthiness 
directives 2000-511 and 2000-512, both dated November 7, 2000, also 
address the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 14, 2004.
Francis Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11409 Filed 5-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P