82 FR 27629 - Airworthiness Directives; Ipeco Holdings Ltd. Pilot and Co-Pilot Seats

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 115 (June 16, 2017)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Ipeco Holdings Ltd. (Ipeco) pilot and co-pilot seats. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of unexpected movement of pilot and co-pilot seats on takeoff and landing. This proposed AD would require modification and reidentification of the affected seats. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27629-27631]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12305]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0490; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Ipeco Holdings Ltd. Pilot and Co-Pilot 
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

[[Page 27630]]

Ipeco Holdings Ltd. (Ipeco) pilot and co-pilot seats. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports of unexpected movement of pilot and co-pilot 
seats on takeoff and landing. This proposed AD would require 
modification and reidentification of the affected seats. We are 
proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by July 31, 2017.

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 proposed AD, contact 
Ipeco Holdings Ltd., Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN, United 
Kingdom; phone: 44 1702 549371; fax: 44 1702 540782; email: 
[email protected]. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. 
For 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-
0490; 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: Neil Doh, Aerospace Engineer, Boston 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7757; 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-2017-0490; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-13-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 2016-0256, dated December 16, 2016 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Occurrences have been reported of pilot/co-pilot unexpected 
rearward movement during take-off and landing. Investigations 
determined that horizontal guide block wear, presence of burrs on 
horizontal centre track, and horizontal track lock system weakness 
(spring tension too low) were various causes which contributed to 
the seat not being correctly locked.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of 
unwanted flight crew seat movement, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the aeroplane.

    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-2017-0490.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Ipeco has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 063-25-08, Revision 00; SB 
063-25-09, Revision 00; and SB 063-25-10, Revision 00; all dated May 
31, 2016. These SBs provides instructions, differentiated by the part 
numbers of the affected pilot and co-pilot seats, for the modification 
and reidentification of these seats. 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 the aviation authority of the 
United Kingdom, 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 modification and 
reidentification of the affected pilot and co-pilot seats.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects an unknown number of 
pilot and co-pilot seats installed on 55 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify crew seats.................  2 work-hours x $85 per               $125             $295          $16,225
                                     hour = $170.
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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

[[Page 27631]]

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

    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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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):

Ipeco Holdings Ltd.: Docket No. FAA-2017-0490; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-NE-13-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 31, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to Ipeco Holdings Ltd. (Ipeco) pilot and co-
pilot crew seats with a part number (P/N) listed in the Planning 
Information section of Ipeco Service Bulletins (SBs) 063-25-08, 
Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016; 063-25-09, Revision 00, dated May 
31, 2016; and 063-25-10, Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016.
    (2) These seats are installed on, but not limited to, ATR-GIE 
Avions de Transport Regional ATR 42 and ATR 72 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2510, Flight 
Compartment Equipment.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of unexpected movement of pilot 
and co-pilot seats on takeoff and landing. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent unexpected movement of pilot and co-pilot seats on takeoff 
and landing. The unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in 
reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    (1) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (2) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, modify 
and reidentify each affected pilot and co-pilot seat. Use the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco SB 063-25-08, Revision 00, 
dated May 31, 2016; Ipeco SB 063-25-09, Revision 00, dated May 31, 
2016; or Ipeco SB 063-25-10, Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016; as 
appropriate, to do the modification and reidentification.

(g) Installation Prohibition

    Do not install any pilot or co-pilot seat identified in 
paragraph (c) of this AD unless the seat is modified and 
reidentified as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Neil Doh, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7757; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2016-0256, 
dated December 16, 2016, 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-2017-0490.
    (3) Ipeco SB 063-25-08, Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016; Ipeco 
SB 063-25-09, Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016; and Ipeco SB 063-25-
10, Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016, can be obtained from Ipeco, 
using the contact information in paragraph (i)(4) of this proposed 
AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Ipeco Holdings Ltd., Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN, 
United Kingdom; phone: 44 1702 549371; fax: 44 1702 540782; email: 
[email protected].
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 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 June 9, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-12305 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P