[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14783-14786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03252]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0230; Project Identifier AD-2023-01064-Q]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all airplanes with certain Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle 
assemblies (buckles) installed. This AD was prompted by a report of a 
manufacturing defect in the screws used inside the buckle. This 
proposed AD would require inspecting the buckle screws, and depending 
on the results, reidentifying the buckle, replacing the screws and 
reidentifying the buckle, or replacing the buckle. This proposed AD 
would also prohibit installing certain buckles. The FAA is proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 15, 
2024.

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 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.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0230; 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, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For service information identified in this NPRM, contact 
Parker Meggitt Services, 1785 Voyager Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063; 
phone 877-666-0712; email [email protected]; website meggitt.com/services_and_support/customer_experience/update-on-buckle-assembly-service-bulletins.
     You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 
216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at 
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2024-0230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone 562-627-5274; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-0230; Project Identifier 
AD-2023-01064-Q'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this

[[Page 14784]]

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to David Kim, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; 
phone 562-627-5274; email [email protected]. Any commentary that the 
FAA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed 
in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA has received a report of a manufacturing defect in the 
screws used inside Pacific Scientific Company buckle part number (P/N) 
1111475 (all dash numbers) and P/N 1111548-01. The screws used to 
fasten the load plate to the body of the buckle were found to be 
susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement due to improper baking during the 
electroplating process. This condition leads the screwhead to separate 
from the body of the screw when under load, which could result in the 
buckle failing to restrain the occupant to the seat. This issue was 
originally identified from a suspected lot of screws, Lot 348994-A. 
Since then, a buckle failed in an accident, calling into question Lot 
348601-A. Lots 348601-A and 348994-A were the first two lots of screws 
received by Pacific Scientific Company from a new supplier and are the 
only suspected lots. The suspected buckles were manufactured between 
January 2012 and September 2012. The FAA is proposing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.
    The rotary buckle may be included as a component of a different 
part-numbered restraint system assembly. Table 1 of Parker Meggitt 
Service Bulletin (SB) 1111475-25-001-2023, Revision 001, dated December 
1, 2023, and Parker Meggitt SB 1111548-25-001-2023, Revision 001, dated 
December 1, 2023 (SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001 and SB 1111548-25-001-
2023 Rev 001), includes a list of these restraint system assembly P/Ns.
    This proposed AD would apply to all airplanes with a Pacific 
Scientific Company buckle P/N 1111475 (all dash numbers) or P/N 
1111548-01 installed, if the buckle was manufactured between January 
2012 and September 2012, or if the date of manufacture of the buckle is 
unknown. These same part-numbered buckles may also be installed in 
helicopters; however, the FAA determined that a shorter compliance time 
to accomplish the required actions is necessary for buckles installed 
in helicopters. Accordingly, the FAA issued AD 2024-01-11, Amendment 
39-22662 (89 FR 6008, January 31, 2024), to address this unsafe 
condition on all helicopters with a Pacific Scientific Company buckle 
P/N 1111475 (all dash numbers) or P/N 1111548-01 installed.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
airplanes with a restraint system with a buckle as part of their type 
design.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001 for buckle P/N 
1111475 and SB 1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 001 for buckle P/N 1111548-01. 
This service information specifies procedures for inspecting the buckle 
for any missing or loose screw heads and, depending on the results, 
replacing the buckle and sending the removed buckle to Parker Meggitt 
for repair or replacement. If after that first inspection, all of the 
screw heads are intact, this service information specifies procedures 
for inspecting the buckle for any Torx head screws (alloy steel) and, 
depending on the results, allowing the buckle assembly to remain in-
service temporarily, replacing any Torx head screws (alloy steel) with 
new hex head screws (stainless steel), and checking the functionality 
of the buckle. This service information also specifies procedures for 
removing a buckle from a restraint system, installing a buckle on a 
restraint system, and returning buckles to Parker Meggitt. If the 
buckle passes the specified inspections or is modified by replacing 
Torx head screws (alloy steel) with new hex head screws (stainless 
steel) screws, this service information specifies procedures for 
reidentifying the back of the buckle. This service information also 
identifies known affected restraint systems.
    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 ADDRESSES.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service Information.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    The service information does not specify any compliance times, 
whereas this proposed AD would require accomplishing the required 
actions within twelve months. This proposed AD would also prohibit 
installing an affected buckle on any airplane.
    The service information specifies sending any damaged buckles to 
Parker Meggitt for repair or replacement, and this proposed AD would 
not. Instead, this proposed AD would require replacing the buckle with 
an airworthy buckle.
    The service information allows buckles with a Torx head (alloy 
steel) screw to remain in service temporarily and replaced at a time 
convenient to the operator, and this proposed AD would not. If a buckle 
has any number of Torx head (alloy steel) screws installed, this 
proposed AD would require replacing all four screws with hex head 
screws before further flight.
    If a screw head breaks off during disassembly of a buckle or if 
reassembly of a buckle is not possible, the service information 
specifies returning the buckle to Parker Meggitt, whereas this proposed 
AD would not. If a screw head breaks off during disassembly, this 
proposed AD would require replacing the buckle with an airworthy 
buckle. If reassembly of a buckle is not possible, then the buckle is 
not airworthy.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 11,714 buckles installed on restraint systems in aircraft 
worldwide. The FAA has no way of knowing the number of airplanes of 
U.S. Registry that may have a restraint system with an affected buckle 
installed. The estimated costs on U.S. operators reflects the maximum 
possible costs based on affected buckles installed on restraint systems 
in aircraft worldwide. Labor rates are estimated at $85 per work-hour. 
Based on these numbers, the FAA estimates the following costs to comply 
with this proposed AD:

[[Page 14785]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                               Cost per         Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost          Parts cost         buckle            operators
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Inspecting a buckle...............  .1 work-hour x $85                $0               $9   Up to $105,426.
                                     per hour = $9.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
The agency has no way of determining the number of buckles that might 
need this repair:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                Action                        Labor cost               Parts cost            Cost per buckle
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Replacing a set of screws (four).....  .5 work-hour x $85 per   nominal................  $43.
                                        hour = $43.
Replacing a buckle...................  .5 work-hour x $85 per   $740...................  $783.
                                        hour = $43.
Reidentifying a buckle...............  minimal................  nominal................  nominal.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected operators.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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:

Various Airplanes: Docket No. FAA-2024-0230; Project Identifier AD-
2023-01064-Q.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by April 15, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all airplanes, certified in any category, 
with a restraint system with a Pacific Scientific Company rotary 
buckle assembly (buckle) part number (P/N) 1111475 (all dash 
numbers) or P/N 1111548-01 installed having a date of manufacture 
between January 2012 and September 2012 inclusive or an unknown date 
of manufacture. These buckles may be installed on, but not limited 
to, The Boeing Company model airplanes, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 25, Equipment/
furnishings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of a manufacturing defect in the 
screws used inside the buckle. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
cracking and missing screw heads when under load. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in a failure of the buckle 
to restrain the occupant.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For airplanes with buckle P/N 1111475 (all dash numbers), 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect each 
buckle screw for cracked, loose, and missing screw heads by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs B.(1) and (2), 
of Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin (SB) 1111475-25-001-2023, 
Revision 001, dated December 1, 2023 (SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 
001).
    (i) If any screw has a cracked, loose, or missing screw head, 
before further flight, replace the buckle with an airworthy buckle.
    (ii) If none of the four screw heads are cracked, loose, or 
missing, before further flight, inspect each screw to determine if 
any screw has a Torx head by using one of the following methods in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001: 
paragraph B.(4)(a) (Magnet Test); paragraph B.(4)(b) (Inspection); 
or paragraphs C.(2) through (4) (removing the buckle from the 
restraint system) and paragraphs D.(1)(a) through (d) (disassembling 
the buckle).
    (A) If none of the four screws have a Torx head, before further 
flight, reassemble the buckle (if necessary) by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs D.(1)(f) through (l), of SB 
1111475-25-001-

[[Page 14786]]

2023 Rev 001, and reidentify the buckle with ``INS. A'' by following 
the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph B.(6), of SB 1111475-25-
001-2023 Rev 001.
    (B) If at least one of the four screws has a Torx head, before 
further flight, with the buckle removed, replace each Torx head 
screw with a hex head screw, reassemble the buckle, and reidentify 
the buckle with ``MOD. A'' by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs D.(1)(e) through (m), of SB 1111475-25-001-
2023 Rev 001, except you are not required to return any parts to 
Parker Meggitt. If a screw head breaks off during disassembly, 
before further flight, replace the buckle with an airworthy buckle.
    (2) For airplanes with buckle P/N 1111548-01, within 12 months 
after the effective date of this AD, inspect each buckle screw for 
cracked, loose, and missing screw heads by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph B.(1), of Parker Meggitt SB 
1111548-25-001-2023, Revision 001, dated December 1, 2023 (SB 
1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 001).
    (i) If any screw has a cracked, loose, or missing screw head, 
before further flight, replace the buckle with an airworthy buckle.
    (ii) If none of the four screw heads are cracked, loose, or 
missing, before further flight, inspect each screw to determine 
which screws have a Torx head by using one of the following methods 
in the Accomplishment Instructions of SB 1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 
001: paragraph B.(3)(a) (except use Figure 6 for placement of the 
shim tool and use Figure 5 to distinguish the screw head types) 
(Inspection); or paragraph C. (removing the buckle from the 
restraint system) and paragraphs D.(1)(a) through (c) (disassembling 
the buckle). Before further flight, with the buckle removed, replace 
each Torx head screw with a hex head screw, reassemble the buckle, 
and reidentify the buckle with ``MOD. A'' by following the 
Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs D.(1)(d) through (m), of SB 
1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 001, except you are not required to return 
any parts to Parker Meggitt. If a screw head breaks off during 
disassembly, before further flight, replace the buckle with an 
airworthy buckle.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001 and SB 
1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 001 refer to a magnifying glass as an ``eye 
loupe.''

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a buckle 
identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any airplane unless the 
buckle is marked with ``MOD. A'' or ``INS. A''.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, West Certification 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 responsible Flight 
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the manager of the West Certification Branch, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact David Kim, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; 
phone 562-627-5274; email [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin 1111475-25-001-2023, 
Revision 001, dated December 1, 2023.
    (ii) Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin 1111548-25-001-2023, 
Revision 001, dated December 1, 2023.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Parker Meggitt Services, 1785 Voyager Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063; 
phone 877-666-0712; email [email protected]; website 
meggitt.com/services_and_support/customer_experience/update-on-buckle-assembly-service-bulletins.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
    (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations, or email [email protected].

    Issued on February 12, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-03252 Filed 2-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P