[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 122 (Monday, June 24, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32317-32318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15555]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-ANE-25; Amendment 39-9651; AD 96-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; PTC Seating Products Division, B/E
Aerospace, Model 950 Series Passenger Seats Equipped With Footrest
Assembly
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace (PTC),
formally known as PTC Aerospace, Model 950 series passenger seats with
footrest assembly. This amendment will 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 amendment 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 this AD are intended to prevent
injury to hands during the operation of a PTC Model 950 series
passenger seat equipped with footrest assembly.
DATES: Effective July 29, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register
July 29, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to PTC Model 950 series passenger
seats equipped with footrest assembly was published in the Federal
Register on October 2, 1995 (60 FR 51375). That action proposed to
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.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter states that the compliance time of 9 months should
only apply to the footrest on first class Model 950 seats, stating that
the potential problem with the linkage only occurs on the first class
Model 950 seats when the footrest is in a horizontal position. The
commenter further states, that the compliance time should be increased
to 18 months on the executive class Model 950 seats, since the footrest
has a physical stop that limits the travel of the linkage and thus the
footrest to approximately 45 degrees.
The FAA disagrees. The FAA has examined the various seats equipped
with footrest and finds that the potential for injury to the hands
exists on all of these seat models. The FAA considers the modification
to be repetitive and not complex, therefore, does not need to be done
during scheduled maintenance. An increase of the compliance time to 18
months is not needed.
There are approximately 5800 seats equipped with footrest assembly
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that
5000 seats
[[Page 32318]]
equipped with footrest assembly installed on aircraft of U.S. registry
would be affected by this AD, that it would take approximately \3/4\
work hours per seat to accomplish the required actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $30 per seat. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $225,000.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and is contained at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. 106(g); 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive: 4
96-12-09 PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace:Amendment 39-
9651. 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.
(c) The removal of seat footrest assembly arms and replacement
of the conversion kit shall be done in accordance with PTC Aerospace
Service Bulletin (SB) 25-1192, Revision A, dated March 16, 1992,
pages 1-5, and PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace SB 25-
1330, dated July 27, 1994, pages 1-12. This incorporation by
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be
obtained from B/E Aerospace, PTC Seating Products Division, 607
Bantam Road, Litchfield, CT 06759. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capital Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(d) This amendment becomes effective July 29, 1996.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts on June 4, 1996.
James C. Jones,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15555 Filed 6-21-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
