[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 184 (Friday, September 21, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47817-47819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20551]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0688; Product Identifier 2017-NE-23-AD; Amendment 
39-19353; AD 2018-16-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Zodiac Seats France, Cabin Attendant 
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 
Zodiac Seats France, 537-Series Cabin Attendant Seats. This AD was 
prompted by operator reports that safety belt wear was found at the 
attachment to the cabin attendant seat. This AD requires inspecting the 
safety belt webbing, and modifying and re-marking each affected cabin 
attendant seat. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 26, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 26, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Zodiac Seats France, Rue Robert Marechal Senior B.P. 69, 36100 
Issoudun, France; phone: +33 (0) 9 70 83 08 30; fax: +33 (0) 2 54 03 39 
00; email: [email protected]; internet: http://www.services.zodiacaerospace.com. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA, 01803. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0688.

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-
0688; 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is 
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: 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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Zodiac Seats 
France, 537-Series Cabin Attendant Seats. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on December 11, 2017 (82 FR 58137). The NPRM was 
prompted by operator reports that safety belt wear was found at the 
attachment to the cabin attendant seat. The NPRM proposed to require 
inspecting the safety belt webbing, and modifying and re-marking each 
affected cabin attendant seat. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2016-0163, dated August 10, 2016 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI 
states:

    Cases were reported by operators of finding safety belt worn out 
at the attachment to the cabin attendant seat. This kind of belt 
damage is due to chafing between the belt and the surrounding metal 
lap belt fitting of the cabin attendant seat. This condition, if not 
detected and corrected, could lead to failure of the attendant seat 
to perform its intended function, possibly resulting in injury to 
the seat occupant. Prompted by these occurrences, Zodiac Seats 
France issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 537-25-003, providing 
instructions to modify the affected seats. For the reason described 
above, this [EASA] AD requires a modification of the seat pan shaft 
by installing new seat pan spacers, and subsequent re-identification 
with a new P/N.

    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-2017-0688.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

[[Page 47818]]

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed except 
for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor 
changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Zodiac Seats France Service Bulletin (SB) No. 537-25-
003, Revision 1, dated August 29, 2016. The SB describes procedures for 
installing an anti-rotation device on the seat pan shaft to limit the 
rotation of the safety belt. We also reviewed Zodiac Seats France 
Service Information Letter (SIL) 537-01, dated July 31, 2015. The SIL 
provides details to identify if the safety belt must be removed and 
replaced and provides instructions on safety belt storage to avoid this 
premature wear. 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 55 seat assemblies installed on, 
but not limited to, Avions de transport regional (ATR) 42 and ATR 72 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seat inspection and modification......  0.5 work-hours x $85 per            $300         $342.50      $18,837.50
                                         hour = $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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

    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):

2018-16-13 Zodiac Seats France (formerly SICMA Aero Seat): Amendment 
39-19353; Docket No. FAA-2017-0688; Product Identifier 2017-NE-23-
AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 26, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to all Zodiac Seats France, 537-Series Cabin 
Attendant Seats, part number (P/N) 53701-( )( )-( )( )( ).
    (2) 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) 2500 Code, Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by operator reports that safety belt wear 
was found at the attachment to the cabin attendant seat. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of these attendant seats. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in possible injury 
to the seat occupant.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 720 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect safety belt webbing, modify and re-mark each affected cabin 
attendant seat using Zodiac Seats France Service Information Letter 
537-01, dated July 31, 2015, and the Accomplishment Instructions, 
paragraphs 2.A. through 2.B., of

[[Page 47819]]

Zodiac Seats France Service Bulletin No. 537-25-003, Revision 1, 
dated August 29, 2016.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install any affected 
Zodiac Seats France cabin attendant seat on any aircraft.

(i) 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 (j)(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.

(j) 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 (EASA) AD 2016-
0163, dated August 10, 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 Docket No. FAA-
2017-0688.

(k) 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) Zodiac Seats France Service Bulletin No. 537-25-003, 
Revision 1, dated August 29, 2016.
    (ii) Zodiac Seats France Service Information Letter 537-01, 
dated July 31, 2015.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Zodiac Seats France, Rue Robert Marechal Senior B.P. 69, 36100 
Issoudun, France; phone: +33 (0) 9 70 83 08 30; fax: +33 (0) 2 54 03 
39 00; email: [email protected]; internet: http://www.services.zodiacaerospace.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 781-238-7759.
    (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 September 7, 2018.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-20551 Filed 9-20-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P