[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6420-6421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1688]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22876; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-39-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. 
(RECARO) Model 3410 Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain RECARO Model 3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 791, 
792, and 795 series seats. This proposed AD would require replacing the 
existing attachment bolts for the seat belts with longer attachment 
bolts. This proposed AD results from a report of short attachment bolts 
that don't allow enough thread to properly secure the locknuts. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent a seat belt from detaching due to a loose 
locknut and attachment bolt, which could result in injury to an 
occupant during emergency conditions.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by April 10, 
2006.

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 20590-0001.
     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 RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. K, Technical 
Publications, Daimlerstrasse 21, 74523 Schw[auml]bisch Hall, Germany; 
Telephone 49 791 503 7183; fax 49 791 503 7220, for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & 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-2005-22876; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-39-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 
Docket Management System 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 DOT 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 Docket management Facility receives them.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, recently notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on 
certain RECARO aircraft seats. The LBA advises that it received a 
report of loose bolts at the attachment point of the seat belt. Certain 
RECARO aircraft seats might use an attachment bolt that is too short to 
allow enough threads to secure the locknut properly, which could result 
in injury to an occupant during emergency condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of RECARO 
Service Bulletin (SB) SB-No.: 3410-25MR477, Revision 3, dated May 17, 
2004. SB-No.: 3410-25MR477 describes procedures for replacing the bolt 
and nut. The LBA classified this SB as mandatory and issued 
airworthiness directive D-2004-151R1, dated June 6, 2004, in order to 
ensure the airworthiness of these RECARO seats in Germany.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    These seats, manufactured in Germany, are installed in airplanes 
that are type-certificated for operation in the United States under the 
provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. In keeping 
with this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA kept us informed 
of the situation described above. We have examined the LBA's findings, 
reviewed all available

[[Page 6421]]

information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of 
this type that are installed in airplanes certificated for operation in 
the United States. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require replacing the bolt that attaches the seat belt to the 
seat with a new, longer bolt. The proposed AD would require you to use 
the service information described previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 3,101 seats 
installed in airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would 
take about 0.10 work hour per seat to perform the proposed actions, and 
that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would 
cost about $10 per seat. Based on these figures, we estimate the total 
cost of the proposed AD to U.S. operators to be $51,166.

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, 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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:

RECARO Aircraft Seats GmbH & Co.: Docket No. FAA-2005-22876; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-39-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by April 10, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain RECARO Aircraft Seats GmbH & Co. 
(RECARO) Model 3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 791, 792, and 
795 series seats. These seats are installed on, but not limited to, 
Boeing 737-200 series, 747-400 series, 777-200 and 777-300 series; 
and Airbus Industries A319-100 series, A320-200 series, and A321-200 
series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of short attachment bolts that 
don't allow enough thread to secure the locknuts properly. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent a seat belt from detaching due to a loose 
locknut and attachment bolt, which could result in injury to an 
occupant during emergency conditions.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, 
unless the actions have already been done.

Replacing the Attachment Bolt

    (f) For RECARO Model 3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 
791, 792, and 795 series seats with a serial number listed in 
section 1.A. Effectivity of RECARO service bulletin SB-No.: 3410-
25MR477, Revision 3, dated May 17, 2004, replace the seat belt 
attachment bolt and nut. Use section 2. Accomplishment Instructions 
of RECARO service bulletin SB-No.: 3410-25MR477, Revision 3, dated 
May 17, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) 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

    (h) Luftfahrt-Bundesamt airworthiness directive D-2004-151R1, 
dated June 6, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on February 1, 2006.
Francis A. Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-1688 Filed 2-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P