[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 245 (Friday, December 22, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60690-60692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27570]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0632; Product Identifier 2017-NE-16-AD]
RIN 2120-AA6


Airworthiness Directives; Zodiac Seats France, Cabin Attendant 
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 
certain Zodiac Seats France, 536 Series Cabin Attendant Seats. This 
proposed AD was prompted by cracks found in a highly concentrated 
stress area of the seat pan hinges. This proposed AD would require 
repetitive inspections and replacement of the seat pan. We are 
proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by February 5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Zodiac 
Seats France, Rue Robert Marechal Senior B.P. 69, 36100 Issoudun, 
France; phone: +33 (0) 9 70 83 08 30; email: 
[email protected]; internet: http://www.services.zodiacaerospace.com. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For

[[Page 60691]]

information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7125.

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-
0632; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7693; fax: 781-238-7199; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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-2017-0632; 
Product Identifier 2017-NE-16-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 because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.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.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2017-0001, dated January 6, 2017 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Cases of cracks were found on Zodiac Seats France cabin 
attendant seats 536 series installed on some ATR 42 and ATR 72 
aeroplanes. The detected damage was located in the area of the seat 
pan hinges. Investigations identified that fatigue had caused these 
cracks in a highly concentrated stress area. This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to failure of the seat, possibly 
resulting in injury to the seat occupant. To address this potential 
unsafe condition, Zodiac Seats France issued Service Bulletin (SB) 
536-25-003 to provide inspection and replacement instructions. 
Consequently, EASA issued AD 2016-0164, requiring repetitive visual 
inspections of the affected cabin attendant seats and, depending on 
findings, replacement of the seat pan. Since that AD was issued, 
Zodiac Seats France developed a reinforced seat pan, and revised SB 
536-25-003 accordingly. After installation of a reinforced seat pan, 
the seat P/N amendment status is updated. For the reason described 
above, this AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 2016-0164, which 
is superseded, prohibits installation of unreinforced seat pans on 
seats already modified, and introduces the reinforced seat pan 
installation as optional terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections.

    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-2017-0632.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Zodiac Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 536-25-003, 
Revision 3, dated June 2, 2017. The SB describes procedures for 
inspection, modification, or replacement of the seat pan, of certain 
model seats known to be installed on ATR 42 and ATR 72 airplanes. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by EASA, and is approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement 
with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced 
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists and is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. 
This proposed AD would require inspection, and modification of certain 
model seats.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 55 seat assemblies 
installed on, but not limited to, ATR 42 and ATR 72 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seat inspection, modification, or       1.2 work-hours x $85 per          $1,500          $1,602         $88,110
 replacement.                            hour = $102.
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

[[Page 60692]]

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 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),
    (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.

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

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):

Zodiac Seats France (formerly SICMA Aero Seat): Docket No. FAA-2017-
0632; Product Identifier 2017-NE-16-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by February 5, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to all Zodiac Seats France, Cabin Attendant 
Seat 536 Series, part numbers (P/N) 53600, all dash numbers, all 
serial numbers, with seat pan P/N F0433453, installed.
    (2) These appliances are installed on, but not limited to, ATR 
42 and ATR 72 airplanes of U.S. registry.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2500, Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by cracks found in a highly concentrated 
stress area of the seat pan hinges. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of affected seats.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Before exceeding 2,500 flight cycles (FC), or within 100 FC 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, inspect 
the seat pan structure in both deployed and stowed positions using 
paragraph 2.A., Accomplishment Instructions, of Zodiac Seats France 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 536-25-003, Revision 3, dated June 2, 
2017.
    (2) If cracks are found, before next flight:
    (i) Replace seat pan with reinforced seat pan, P/N F0511530, 
using paragraph 2.B., Accomplishment Instructions, of Zodiac Seats 
France SB No. 536-25-003, Revision 3, dated June 2, 2017.
    (ii) Re-mark the seat using paragraph 2.C., Accomplishment 
Instructions, of Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-003, Revision 3, 
dated June 2, 2017.
    (3) If no cracks are found, do the following:
    (i) Re-mark the seat using paragraph 2.C., Accomplishment 
Instructions, of Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-003, Revision 3, 
dated June 2, 2017.
    (ii) Reinspect the seat pan within every 100 FC since last 
inspection, or replace seat pan with reinforced seat pan, P/N 
F0511530, using paragraph 2.B., Accomplishment Instructions, of 
Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-003, Revision 3, dated June 2, 
2017.
    (4) Until compliance with this AD is accomplished, stow and 
secure an affected attendant seat in the retracted position to 
prevent occupancy, in accordance with the provisions and limitations 
of the applicable Master Minimum Equipment List item.

(g) Optional Terminating Action

    Installation of a reinforced seat pan, P/N F0511530, using 
paragraph 2.B., Accomplishment Instructions, of Zodiac Seats France 
SB No. 536-25-003, Revision 3, dated June 2, 2017, is terminating 
action to this AD.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for inspections and modifications performed 
in accordance with Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-003, first 
issued May 24, 2016, or Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-003, 
Revision 1, dated August 29, 2016 or Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-
25-003, Revision 2, dated September 16, 2016, if you performed these 
actions before the effective date of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, FAA, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, 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 ACO Branch, 
send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph 
(j)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
    (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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Dorie Resnik, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7693; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2017-0001, dated January 6, 2017, 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-2017-0632.
    (3) Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-003, Revision 3, dated 
June 2, 2017, can be obtained from Zodiac Seats France, using the 
contact information in paragraph (j)(4) of this proposed AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Zodiac Seats France, Rue Robert Marechal Senior B.P. 69, 
36100 Issoudun, France; phone: +33 (0) 9 70 83 08 30; email: 
[email protected]; internet: http://www.services.zodiacaerospace.com.
    (5) You may view this service information at the 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.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 18, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27570 Filed 12-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P