[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 68 (Monday, April 11, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18322-18324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7152]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20848; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-02-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN), 
Series 312 Box Mounted Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN),

[[Page 18323]]

series 312 box mounted seats. This proposed AD would require initial 
and repetitive inspections of the seat attachments for cracks, and if 
necessary, replacing the attachments. This proposed AD results from 10 
reports of cracked attachments of series 312 box mounted seats. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent series 312 box mounted seats from 
detaching from the passenger compartment floor, which could result in 
injury to the occupant of the seat, and prevent evacuation of 
passengers in the event of an emergency.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by June 10, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Aviointeriors S.p.A., Via Appia Km. 66.4--04013 Latina, 
Italy; telephone: 39-0773-6891; fax: 39-0773-631546 for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

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 send us any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20848; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-02-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of the 
DMS Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the proposal, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is on the plaza 
level of the Department of Transportation Nassif Building at the street 
address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    The Ente Nazionale per 'Aviazione Civile (ENAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN) series 312 
box mounted seats, part number (P/N) 312( )( )27-( )( )( )( )( ) and P/
N 312( )( )36-( )( )( )( )( ). The ENAC advises that 10 reports have 
been received of cracked seat attachments found during routine 
maintenance. The parentheses appearing in the seat P/N indicate the 
presence or absence of an additional letter(s), or numbers(s), that 
varies the basic seat configuration. This proposed AD still applies 
regardless of whether these letters, or numbers, are present or absent 
in the seat P/N designation.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of 
Aviointeriors Service Bulletin (SB) No 312/912-05, Revision 1, dated 
August 24, 2001. This SB describes the procedures for inspecting series 
312 box mounted seat outboard and seat inboard attachments for cracks, 
replacing cracked attachments, and replacing attachments when they have 
accumulated 8,000 hours time-in-service (TIS). The ENAC classified this 
service bulletin as mandatory and issued AD 2001-479, dated November 
12, 2001, in order to ensure the airworthiness of these seats in Italy.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These Aviointeriors S.p.A. series 312 box mounted seats, 
manufactured in Italy, 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 kept us informed of the 
situation described above. We have examined the findings of 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. For this reason, we are proposing this 
AD, which would require:
     Initial and repetitive inspections of the seat outboard 
and inboard attachments for cracks.
     Replacing cracked attachments.
     Within 90 days after the effective date of the proposed 
AD, replacing attachments if they have accumulated 8,000 hours or more 
TIS on the effective date of the proposed AD.
     Replacing attachments when they have accumulated 8,000 
hours TIS.

The proposed AD would require you to use the service information 
described previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 68 Aviointeriors S.p.A. series 312 box mounted 
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 hour 
per seat to perform the proposed inspections, and about 0.5 work hour 
per seat to perform the proposed replacement of an attachment. The 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
about $297.50 per seat. Based on these figures, we estimate the total 
cost of one inspection and total parts replacement to U.S. operators to 
be $24,650.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII,

[[Page 18324]]

part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General requirements.'' Under 
that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of 
civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

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;
    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 at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN): Docket No. FAA-2005-20848; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-02-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by June 10, 
2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN), 
series 312 box mounted seats, part number (P/N) 312( )( )27-( )( )( 
)( )( ) and P/N 312( )( )36-( )( )( )( )( ). These seats are 
installed in, but not limited to, Fokker Model F27 Mark 050, Mark 
500, and Mark 600 airplanes.
    (d) The parentheses appearing in the seat P/N indicate the 
presence or absence of an additional letter(s), or number(s), that 
varies the basic seat configuration. This AD still applies 
regardless of whether these letters, or numbers, are present or 
absent in the seat P/N designation.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from 10 reports of cracked attachments of 
series 312 box mounted seats. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
series 312 box mounted seats from detaching from the passenger 
compartment floor, which could result in injury to the occupant of 
the seat, and prevent evacuation of passengers in the event of an 
emergency.

Compliance

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

Attachments That Have Already Accumulated 8,000 Hours Time-In-Service 
(TIS) or More

    (g) For attachments that have already accumulated 8,000 hours 
TIS or more on the effective date of this AD, do the following:
    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, replace 
attachments with new attachments of the same P/N, using Section 2., 
Replacement Procedure, Steps 2.4 though 2.6 of Aviointeriors Service 
Bulletin No. 312/912-05, Revision 1, dated August 24, 2001.
    (2) Perform repetitive visual inspections as specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD.

Initial Visual Inspection

    (h) Perform an initial visual inspection of the seat outboard 
and inboard attachments for cracks, within 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD, as follows:
    (1) Inspect seat outboard attachment, part number (P/N) DM03313-
1, and seat inboard attachment, P/N DM03314-1, using Section 2., 
Inspection Procedure, Steps 2.1 through 2.5 of Aviointeriors Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. 312/912-05, Revision 1, dated August 24, 2001.
    (2) Replace any cracked attachment with a new attachment of the 
same P/N, using Section 2., Replacement Procedure, Steps 2.4 though 
2.6 of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-05, Revision 1, dated August 24, 
2001.
    (3) Replace attachments when they have accumulated 8,000 hours 
time-in-service (TIS), with new attachments of the same P/N, using 
Section 2., Replacement Procedure, Steps 2.4 though 2.6 of 
Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-05, Revision 1, dated August 24, 2001.

Repetitive Visual Inspections

    (i) Within 650 hours TIS after the last inspection, or within 
650 hours TIS after attachment was replaced, and whenever the seat 
is being installed or removed, perform repetitive visual inspections 
for cracks, and replace cracked seat outboard and inboard 
attachments. Use paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(3) of this AD to 
inspect and disposition the attachments.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (j) 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.

Related Information

    (k) Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile airworthiness 
directive AD 2001-479, dated November 12, 2001, also addresses the 
subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 4, 2005.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7152 Filed 4-8-05; 8:45 am]
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