[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 179 (Friday, September 14, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46679-46681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19797]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0839; Product Identifier 2017-NE-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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 all 
Zodiac Seats France 536-Series Cabin Attendant Seats. This proposed AD 
was prompted by potential risk of premature corrosion on the seat 
structure and clamps. This proposed AD would require inspection and 
modification of all Zodiac Seats France 536-Series Cabin Attendant 
Seats. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 29, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12 140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Zodiac 
Service Europe, 61, rue Pierre Curie, 78 373 Plaisir, France; phone: 
+33 (0)1 61 34 19 58; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://www.zodiacaerospace.com/en/zodiac-aerospace-services/contacts.You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7759.

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-
0839; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 
the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0839; 
Product Identifier 2017-NE-31-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 we 
receive about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2016-0167, dated August 17, 2016 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI 
states:

    Cases of corrosion and cracks were found on Zodiac Seats France 
CAS 536 rear cabin attendant seats installed on some ATR 42 and ATR 
72 aeroplanes. The detected damage was located on the lower parts of 
the attendant seat, at the level of the seat-to-floor interface. 
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to failure 
of the seat

[[Page 46680]]

occupied by the cabin attendant, possibly resulting in injury to the 
seat occupant. To address this potential unsafe condition, Zodiac 
Seats France issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 536-25-002 to provide 
inspection instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the affected attendant seats, and, 
depending on findings, accomplishment of the temporary corrective 
action(s). This [EASA] AD is considered as interim action and 
further [EASA] AD action may follow. Zodiac Seats France is 
developing a solution preventing this kind of damage.

    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-2017-0839.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Zodiac Seats France Service Bulletin (SB) No. 536-25-
002, Revision 3, dated September 30, 2016. The SB describes procedures 
for inspection, repair, or replacement of the seat structure and clamps 
known to be installed on the main structure. 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

    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 the relevant 
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of 
the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require inspection and modification of all 
Zodiac Seats France 536-Series Cabin Attendant Seats.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 55 seat structures 
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, visual (on-wing).....  0.2 work-hours x $85 per              $0             $17            $935
                                         hour = $17.
Seat inspection, (shop visit).........  0.5 work-hours x $85 per               0           42.50        2,337.50
                                         hour = $42.50.
Part replacement/repair...............  2.0 work-hours x $85 per           2,000           2,170         119,350
                                         hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 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-
0839; Product Identifier 2017-NE-31-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 29, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 46681]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Zodiac Seats France, 536-Series Cabin 
Attendant Seats, part number (P/N) 53600, all dash numbers, all 
serial numbers. These appliances are installed on, but not limited 
to, Avions de transport regional (ATR) 42 and ATR 72 airplanes of 
U.S. registry.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by corrosion found on the seat structure or 
on clamps of the Zodiac Seats France 536-Series Cabin Attendant 
Seats. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of these seats. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the 
seat occupied by the cabin attendant, and possible injury to the 
seat occupant.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 14 months after the first installation of the seat on 
an aircraft, or within three months after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later, remove the seat from the aircraft and 
perform a detailed visual inspection in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraph 2.B., of Zodiac Seats France 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 536-25-002, Revision 3, dated September 
30, 2016. If the date of the first installation of a seat on an 
airplane is unknown, use the date of manufacture of the seat (which 
can be found on the ID placard of the seat) to determine when the 
inspection must be accomplished.
    (2) Within three months after the inspection required by 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, and, thereafter, at intervals not to 
exceed three months, perform a detailed visual inspection in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Paragraphs 2.A. and 
2.B., of Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-002, Revision 3, dated 
September 30, 2016.
    (3) If corrosion or other damage is found, before further flight 
or before reinstallation of the seat on an aircraft, as applicable, 
repair the seat in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, 
Paragraphs 2.B. and 2.C., of Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-002, 
Revision 3, dated September 30, 2016.
    (4) Temporarily stowing and securing a damaged attendant seat in 
a retracted position to prevent occupancy, in accordance with the 
provisions and limitations applicable Master Minimum Equipment List 
item, is an acceptable alternative method to defer compliance with 
the requirements of paragraph (g)(3) of this AD.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected 
Zodiac Seats France 536-Series Cabin Attendant Seat on any aircraft, 
unless having accumulated more than 14 months since first 
installation on any aircraft, provided that before installation, it 
has passed an inspection in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions, Paragraph 2.B., of Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-
002, Revision 3, dated September 30, 2016.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD if you performed these actions before the effective date of 
this AD using Zodiac Seats France SB No. 536-25-002, Revision 2, 
dated August 29, 2016.

(j) 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 ACO Branch, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (k)(1) 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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Dorie Resnik, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803; phone: 781-238-7693; fax: 781-238-7199; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2016-0167, dated 
August 17, 2016, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD 
in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-0839.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Zodiac Service Europe, 61, rue Pierre Curie, 78 373 Plaisir, France; 
phone: +33 (0)1 61 34 19 58; email: [email protected]; 
website: https://www.zodiacaerospace.com/en/zodiac-aerospace-services/contacts. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759.


    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 5, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-19797 Filed 9-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P