[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 190 (Monday, October 2, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51375-51376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24439]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-ANE-25]
Airworthiness Directives; PTC Seating Products Division, B/E
Aerospace, Model 950 Series Passenger Seats Equipped With Footrest
Assembly
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to PTC Seating Products Division, B/E
Aerospace (PTC), formally known as PTC Aerospace, Model 950 series
passenger seats with footrest assembly. This proposal would require the
removal of the footrest assembly arms and the installation of a
conversion kit on each PTC Model 950 series passenger seat equipped
with footrest assembly. This proposal is prompted by two incidents of
finger injuries that occurred during attempts to either extend or
retract the footrest system on PTC Model 950 series passenger seats
equipped with footrest assembly. The actions specified by the proposed
AD are intended to prevent injury to hands during the operation of a
PTC Model 950 series passenger seat equipped with footrest assembly.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 1, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-25, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from B/E Aerospace, PTC Seating Products Division, 607 Bantam
Road, Litchfield, CT 06759. This information may be examined at the
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Noll, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299;
telephone (617) 238-7160, fax (617) 238-7199.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 95-ANE-25.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-ANE-25, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.
Discussion
The FAA received two reports of incidents of finger injuries that
occurred during attempts to either extend or retract the footrest
system on PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace (PTC) Model 950
series passenger seats equipped with footrest assembly. The first
incident resulted in an injury to a passenger's finger when reportedly
reaching down to try to pull the footrest out by hand. The second
incident resulted in injury to a passenger's finger when that passenger
tried to help another passenger and got a finger caught in the footrest
mechanism. This condition, if not corrected, could result in injury to
hands during operation of PTC Model 950 series passenger seats equipped
with footrest assembly.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of PTC
Aerospace Model 950 Series Service Bulletin (SB) 25-1192, Revision A,
dated March 16, 1992, and PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace
SB 25-1330, dated July 27, 1994, that describes procedures for removal
and installation of PTC Model 950 series passenger seats equipped with
footrest assembly.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require a mandatory removal of PTC Model 950 series
footrest assembly arms, and the installation of a conversion kit on PTC
Model 950 series passenger seats equipped with a footrest. The actions
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service
bulletins described previously.
There are approximately 5800 seats equipped with footrest assembly
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that
5000 seats equipped with footrest assembly installed on aircraft of
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately .3/4 work hours per seat to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
[[Page 51376]]
Required parts would cost approximately $30 per seat. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $225,000.
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 106(g); 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace: Docket No. 95-ANE-25.
Applicability: PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace
(PTC) Model 950 series passenger seat equipped with footrest
assembly.
Note: This AD applies to each seat identified in the preceding
applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified,
altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this
AD. For seats equipped with footrest assembly that have been
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the
authority provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any seat from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent injury to hands during operation of the PTC Model 950
series passenger seats equipped with footrest assembly, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within nine calendar months after the effective date of this
AD.
(1) Remove seat footrest assembly arms, P/N 98440-1 or -2, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of PTC Aerospace
Service Bulletin (SB) 25-1192, Revision A, dated March 16, 1992.
(2) Install conversion kit, P/N 122966-1, in accordance with
Section 2, Accomplishment Instructions of PTC Seating Products
Division, B/E Aerospace SB 25-1330, dated July 27, 1994.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Boston Aircraft Certification
Office.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 18, 1995.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 95-24439 Filed 9-29-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
