[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 81 (Friday, April 27, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20963-20965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-2047]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27519; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; SICMA Aero Seat 50XXX Passenger Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    A release of smoke was experienced in the passenger compartment 
during flight after an overheating of a reading lights power box of 
a PN 5039201-4T SICMA seat. An analysis put into evidence that this 
overheating was caused by a short-circuit produced by the rupture of 
an electrical power supply component (PN 78147-B). It has been 
noticed that this power supply is not in compliance with DO 160 
environmental standard.

    The short circuiting could result in arcing and consequent smoke or 
fire.
    The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address 
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 29, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     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.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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; e-
mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7161; fax (781) 238-
7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

    The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance 
of ADs related to MCAI. This streamlined process will allow us to adopt 
MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce 
safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD 
issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure 
Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our 
technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct 
unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.
    This proposed AD references the MCAI and related service 
information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to 
correct the unsafe condition. The proposed AD contains text copied from 
the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language 
principles.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
27519; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-09-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale De L'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
aviation authority for France, has issued French Airworthiness 
Directive F-2005-135, dated August 3, 2005, (EASA reference number 
2005-6123) (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    A release of smoke was experienced in the passenger compartment 
during flight after an overheating of a reading lights power box of 
a PN 5039201-4T SICMA seat. An analysis put into evidence that this 
overheating was caused by a short-circuit produced by the rupture of 
an electrical power supply component (PN 78147-B). It has been 
noticed that this power supply is not in compliance with DO 160 
environmental standard.

    The short circuiting could result in arcing and consequent smoke or 
fire.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    SICMA Aero Seat has issued Service Bulletin No. 50-25-210, dated 
June 27, 2005. The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation

[[Page 20964]]

in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this 
State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI and service information reference 
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by the State of Design Authority and determined the unsafe 
condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
proposed AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making 
these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the 
information provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this proposed AD 
from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such 
differences are described in a separate paragraph of the proposed AD. 
These requirements, if ultimately adopted, will take precedence over 
the actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 16,108 seats on airplanes of U.S. registry. We also 
estimate that it would take about .33 work-hours per product to comply 
with this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. 
Required parts would cost about $3,475 per seat. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $56,400,551, or $3,501 per seat.

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 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 this 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. 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 FAA 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 AD.

SICMA Aero Seat: Docket No. FAA-2007-27519; Directorate Identifier 
2007-NE-09-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by May 29, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Sicma Aero Seat 50XXX passenger seats 
with part numbers listed in the following Table 1:

                         Table 1.--Applicability
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Twin seats Part
               Single seats Part Number                      Number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50692( )-( )                                                50A71( )-( )
50442( )-( )                                                50A81( )-( )
50752( )-( )                                                50401( )-( )
50402( )-( )                                                50451( )-( )
50462( )-( )                                                50391( )-( )
50392( )-( )
50452( )-( )
50382( )-( )
50A02( )-( )
50A72( )-( )
50A82( )-( )
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These seats are installed on, but not limited to, Boeing 747, 
767, 777 series, and Airbus A330 and A340 series airplanes.

Reason

    (d) Direction General De L' Aviation Civile (DGAC) Airworthiness 
Directive F-2005-135, dated August 3, 2005, states:

    A release of smoke was experienced in the passenger compartment 
during flight after an overheating of a reading lights power box of 
a PN 5039201-4T SICMA seat. An analysis put into evidence that this 
overheating was caused by short-circuit produced by the rupture of 
an electrical power supply component (PN 78147-B). It has been 
noticed that this power supply is not in compliance with DO 160 
environmental standard.

    The short circuiting could result in arcing and consequent smoke 
or fire.

Actions and Compliance

    (e) Unless already done, within six months from the effective 
date of this AD, identify the seats part numbers listed in the Table 
1 of this AD and replace installed reading lights electrical power 
supplies with new ones using the instructions of the SICMA Aero Seat 
Service Bulletin No. 50-25-210, dated June 27, 2005.

FAA AD Differences

    (f) None.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

[[Page 20965]]

Related Information

    (h) Refer to DGAC Airworthiness Directive F-2005-135, dated 
August 3, 2005, (EASA reference number 2005-6123) and SICMA Aero 
Seat Service Bulletin No. 50-25-210, dated June 27, 2005, for 
related information.
    (i) Contact Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft 
Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate; 12 New 
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803, e-mail 
[email protected]; telephone 781-238-7161; fax 781-238-7170, for 
more information about this AD.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 18, 2007.
Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 07-2047 Filed 4-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M