[Federal Register: May 20, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 98)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 29109-29111]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20my04-24]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NE-09-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aviointeriors S.p.A. Series 312 Seats
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness
directive (AD) for Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN), series 312
seats. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of
the seat central crossmember for cracks, and if necessary, replacing
the crossmember with a new crossmember. This proposed AD would require
the same actions and would add other crossmember part numbers for
inspection. In addition, this proposed AD would replace the original
design crossmembers with reinforced design crossmembers as optional
terminating actions to the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD
results from reports of 88 cracked seat central crossmembers and 60
aisle side crossmembers, to date, and from the introduction of
reinforced seat crossmembers by the manufacturer. We are proposing this
AD to prevent the
[[Page 29110]]
loss of the structural integrity of the seat due to cracks in seat
crossmembers.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by July 19,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD:
By mail: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 2004-NE-16-AD, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-
5299.
By fax: (781) 238-7055.
By e-mail: 9-ane-adcomment@faa.gov.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Aviointeriors S.p.A., Via Appia Km. 66.4--04013 Latina, Italy;
telephone: 39-0773-6891; fax: 39-0773-631546.
You may examine the AD docket, by appointment, at the FAA, New
England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299;
telephone: 781-238-7161; fax: 781-238-7170.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2000-NE-09-AD'' in the
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with
the docket number written on it; we will date-stamp your postcard and
mail it back to you. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. If a person contacts us verbally, and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and
place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received
by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those
comments.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You may get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www
.plainlanguage.gov.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD Docket (including any comments and service
information), by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. See ADDRESSES for the
location.
Discussion
On August 30, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-18-04, Amendment 39-
11889 (65 FR 58177, September 27, 2000). That AD requires initial and
repetitive inspections of the seat central crossmember for cracks, and
if necessary, replacing the crossmember with a new crossmember. The
Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile (ENAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on the crossmembers of Aviointeriors S.p.A.
(formerly ALVEN) model 312 seats. The ENAC advises that cracks were
found in three seat central crossmembers during routine maintenance.
Actions After We Issued AD 2000-18-04
After we issued AD 2000-18-04, the ENAC notified us that a total of
88 seat central crossmembers and 60 seat aisle side crossmembers on
series 312 seats have been reported cracked to date. Also, after we
issued that AD, Aviointeriors S.p.A. introduced optional replacement
seat crossmembers that are a reinforced design.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved the technical contents of
Aviointeriors service bulletin (SB) No 312/912-01, Revision 2, dated
August 1, 2000, and SB No. 312/912-02, Revision 1, dated August 1,
2000. These SBs describe the procedures for inspecting crossmembers for
cracks and, if necessary, replacing the crossmember with a new
crossmember. We have also reviewed and approved Aviointeriors SB No.
312/912-03, dated August 1, 2000, and SB No. 312/912-04, dated August
1, 2000. These SBs describe the procedures for replacing crossmembers
with reinforced design crossmembers. The ENAC classified the inspection
service bulletins as mandatory and issued AD 2000-511 and AD 2000-512,
both dated November 7, 2000, in order to ensure the airworthiness of
these seats in Italy.
Bilateral Agreement Information
These series 312 seats are manufactured in Italy and are approved
for use on airplanes that are type certificated for operation in the
United States under the provisions of Sec. 21.617 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.617) and the applicable bilateral
airworthiness agreement. In keeping with this bilateral airworthiness
agreement, the ENAC has kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the findings of the ENAC, reviewed
all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary
for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in
the United States.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require initial and repetitive inspections of seat central and
aisle side crossmembers for cracks, and if necessary, replacing the
crossmember with a new crossmember. This proposed AD would also
introduce replacing the original design crossmember with a reinforced
crossmember as an optional terminating action to the repetitive
inspections. The proposed AD would require that you do these actions
using the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 1,020 Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN) series
312 seats installed on airplanes of U.S. registry that would be
affected by this proposed AD. We estimate that it would take about 0.5
work hours per seat to perform the proposed inspections, and about one
hour per seat to perform the proposed replacement of a crossmember. The
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost
about $650.50 per seat. Based on these figures, we estimate the total
cost of one inspection and total parts replacement to U.S. operators to
be $729,810.
Regulatory Findings
We have 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 that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
[[Page 29111]]
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposal and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2000-NE-09-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14
CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-11889 (65 FR
58177, September 27, 2000) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
to read as follows:
Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN): Docket No. 2000-NE-09-AD.
Supersedes AD 2000-18-04, Amendment 39-11889.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by July 19,
2004.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2000-18-04.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Aviointeriors S.p.A. (formerly ALVEN),
model 312 seats. These seats are installed in, but not limited to,
Fokker Model F27 Mark 050, Mark 500, and Mark 600 airplanes.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of 88 cracked seat central
crossmembers, and 60 aisle side crossmembers, to date, and from the
introduction of reinforced seat crossmembers by the manufacturer.
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent the loss of
the structural integrity of the seat due to cracks in the seat
crossmembers.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified unless the
actions have already been done.
Initial Visual Inspection
(f) Perform an initial visual inspection of the crossmember for
cracks, within 12,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 180 days
after the effective date of this AD if the crossmember has more than
12,000 hours TIS, as follows:
(1) Inspect seat central crossmembers, part number (P/N)
DM03437-1, using Section 2. Inspection Procedure of Aviointeriors
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 312/912-01, Revision 2, dated August 1,
2000.
(2) Replace any cracked central crossmember with a new
crossmember of the same P/N. Use Section 3. Crossmember Replacement
Procedure, Steps 3.1 though 3.10 of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-01,
Revision 2, dated August 1, 2000.
(3) Inspect seat aisle side crossmembers, P/Ns DM03435-1 and
DM03435-2, and DM03437-1 (Disabled People seat application), using
Section 2. Inspection Procedure of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-02,
Revision 1, dated August 1, 2000.
(4) Replace any cracked aisle side crossmember with a new
crossmember of the same P/N. Use Section 3. Crossmember Replacement
Procedure, Steps 3.1 though 3.8 of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-02,
Revision 1, dated August 1, 2000.
Repetitive Visual Inspections
(g) Perform repetitive visual inspections of crossmembers, P/N
DM03437-1, DM03435-1, and DM03435-2, for cracks, within 650 hours
TIS after the last inspection. Use paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(4)
of this AD to inspect and disposition crossmembers.
Optional Terminating Action
(h) As optional terminating actions to the repetitive
inspections required by this AD, do the following:
(1) Replace seat central crossmembers, P/N DM03437-1, with
reinforced crossmembers, P/N F11541300000. Use Section 2.
Crossmember Replacement Procedure, Steps 2.1 through 2.11 of
Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-03, dated August 1, 2000.
(2) Replace seat aisle side crossmembers, P/N DM03435-1,
DM03435-2, and DM03437-1 (Disabled People seat application), with
reinforced crossmembers, P/N F11555400000, F11555500000, and
F11541300000, respectively. Use Section 2. Crossmember Replacement
Procedure, Steps 2.1 through 2.11 of Aviointeriors SB No. 312/912-
04, dated August 1, 2000.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(i) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, has the
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) None.
Related Information
(k) Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile airworthiness
directives 2000-511 and 2000-512, both dated November 7, 2000, also
address the subject of this AD.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 14, 2004.
Francis Favara,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11409 Filed 5-19-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P