[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 7, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51552-51554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24127]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0490; Product Identifier 2017-NE-13-AD; Amendment 
39-19082; AD 2017-22-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; IPECO Pilot and Co-Pilot Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Ipeco Holdings Ltd. (Ipeco) pilot and co-pilot seats. This AD requires 
modification and reidentification of the affected seats. This AD was 
prompted by reports of unexpected movement of pilot and co-pilot seats 
on takeoff and landing. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 12, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 12, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Ipeco Holdings Ltd., Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN, 
United Kingdom; phone: 44 1702 549371; fax: 44 1702 540782; email: 
[email protected]. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0490.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0490; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Doh, Aerospace Engineer, Boston 
ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
781-238-7757; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2017 (82 FR 
27629). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences have been reported of pilot/co-pilot unexpected 
rearward movement during take-off and landing. Investigations 
determined that horizontal guide block wear, presence of burrs on 
horizontal centre track, and horizontal track lock system weakness 
(spring tension too low) were various causes which contributed to 
the seat not being correctly locked.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of 
unwanted flight crew seat movement, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0490.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Shorten Compliance Time

    The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) requested that the FAA work 
with EASA to reevaluate the compliance time for this AD. ALPA indicated 
that the requirements of this AD could be accomplished in a shorter 
timeframe that would enhance safety.
    ALPA did not provide data or a detailed explanation with respect to 
its request for a shorter time frame. Consequently, upon further review 
of the risk analysis with EASA, we determined the proposed time frame 
for accomplishment of this AD is appropriate.

Miscellaneous Comments

    We received miscellaneous comments not relevant to this AD. No 
further response is required.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Ipeco has issued Service Bulletin (SB) Number 063-25-08, Revision 
00; SB Number 063-25-09, Revision 00; and SB Number 063-25-10, Revision 
00; all dated May 31, 2016. These SBs provide instructions, 
differentiated by the part numbers of the affected pilot and co-pilot 
seats, for the modification and reidentification of these seats. This 
service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects an unknown number of pilot and co-
pilot seats installed on 55 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 51553]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify crew seats..................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour            $125            $295         $16,225
                                      = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2017-22-02 Ipeco Holdings Ltd.: Amendment 39-19082; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0490; Product Identifier 2017-NE-13-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective December 12, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to Ipeco Holdings Ltd. (Ipeco) pilot and co-
pilot seats with a part number listed in the Planning Information 
section of Ipeco Service Bulletins (SBs) Number 063-25-08, Revision 
00; Number 063-25-09, Revision 00; and Number 063-25-10, Revision 
00; all dated May 31, 2016.
    (2) These seats are installed on, but not limited to, ATR-GIE 
Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42 and ATR 72 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2510, Flight 
Compartment Equipment.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of unexpected movement of pilot 
and co-pilot seats on takeoff and landing. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent unexpected movement of pilot and co-pilot seats on takeoff 
and landing. The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in 
reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    (1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (2) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, modify 
and re-identify affected each pilot and co-pilot seat. Use the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco SB Number 063-25-08, Revision 
00; Ipeco SB 063-25-09, Revision 00; or Ipeco SB 063-25-10, Revision 
00; all dated May 31, 2016; as appropriate, to do the modification 
and reidentification.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    Do not install any pilot or co-pilot seat identified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD unless the seat is modified and 
reidentified as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the Boston ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Neil Doh, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7757; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2016-0256, 
dated December 16, 2016, for more information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-0490.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Ipeco Service Bulletin (SB) Number 063-25-08, Revision 00; 
dated May 31, 2016.
    (ii) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-09, Revision 00; dated May 31, 2016.

[[Page 51554]]

    (iii) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-10, Revision 00; dated May 31, 
2016.
    (3) For Ipeco service information identified in this AD, contact 
Ipeco Holdings Ltd., Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN, United 
Kingdom; phone: 44 1702 549371; fax: 44 1702 540782; email: 
[email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 19, 2017.
Karen M. Grant,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-24127 Filed 11-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P