Airworthiness Directives; Ipeco Holdings Limited Pilot and Co-Pilot Seats

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 113 (Friday, June 13, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24959-24962]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10823]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-1101; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00616-Q; 
Amendment 39-23060; AD 2025-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Ipeco Holdings Limited Pilot and Co-
Pilot Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Ipeco Holdings Limited (Ipeco) pilot and co-pilot seats. This 
AD was prompted by reports of unexpected rearward movement of pilot and 
co-pilot seats during take-off and landing. This AD requires a one-time 
visual inspection of each affected seat, accomplishment of applicable 
corrective actions, and operational tests. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 30, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 30, 
2025.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by July 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> 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-2025-1101; 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Ipeco material identified in this AD, contact Ipeco 
Holdings Limited, Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN, United 
Kingdom; phone: +44 1702 545118; fax: +44 1702 540782; email: 
[email protected].
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 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 under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Buitrago Perez, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone 516-288-7368; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments using a method 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-1101; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00616-Q'' at the beginning of your 
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the 
final rule, 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 final rule 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 final rule.

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 AD 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 AD, 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 AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Brenda 
Buitrago Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, 
Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-288-7368; email 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives 
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the 
public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the aviation authority 
for the United Kingdom (UK), has issued UK CAA AD G-2025-0002, dated 
April 11, 2025; corrected April 25, 2025 (UK CAA AD G-2025-0002) (also 
referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on certain 
Ipeco pilot and co-pilot seats. The MCAI states that occurrences were 
reported of unexpected rearward movement of pilot and co-pilot seats 
during take-off and landing. Investigations originally determined that 
horizontal guide block wear, presence of burrs on horizontal center 
track, and horizontal track lock system weakness (spring tension too 
low) were causes which contributed to the seat not being correctly 
locked. The original unsafe condition was addressed through UK CAA AD 
G-2022-0011, dated June 9, 2022, (which corresponds with FAA AD 2023-
14-10, Amendment 39-22510, dated August 3, 2023 (88 FR 51230) (FAA AD 
2023-14-10)). However, the incorrect distribution of

[[Page 24960]]

the stops and packers during the modification required by FAA AD 2023-
14-10 has been found to cause the seat not to positively lock in 
position because of the unequal re-installation of the stops and 
packers onto the fore/aft tubes during seat reassembly, which can 
result in unexpected rearward movement of pilot and co-pilot seats 
during take-off and landing.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products, which, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of 
unwanted flight crew seat movement, which could result in reduced 
control of the airplane, a rapid descent of the airplane, and serious 
injury to passengers and crew. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-1101.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Ipeco Service Bulletin 063-25-20, Issue 1, dated 
March 25, 2025. This material describes procedures to conduct a one-
time visual inspection of each affected seat, and if any incorrect 
installation is found (stops or packers), remove and install the stops 
and packers, and perform operational tests of the seats. This material 
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

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI and material referenced above. The FAA is issuing 
this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the Ipeco 
material described previously. See ``Differences Between This AD and 
the MCAI'' for a discussion of the general differences included in this 
AD.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    UK CAA AD G-2025-0002, dated April 11, 2025; corrected April 25, 
2025, does not mention Part C of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Ipeco Service Bulletin 063-25-20, Issue 1, dated March 25, 2025. This 
AD, however, requires the accomplishment of Part C of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 063-25-20, Issue 
1, dated March 25, 2025. The FAA has coordinated this change with the 
UK CAA.

Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment 
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that 
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the 
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because movement of the pilot and co-pilot seats during take-off and 
landing could result in reduced control of the airplane, a rapid 
descent of the airplane, and serious injury to passengers and crew. 
Additionally, the compliance time in this AD is shorter than the time 
necessary for the public to comment and for publication of the final 
rule. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without prior notice and 
comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 120 appliances installed on, 
but not limited to, ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional Model 
ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes. The FAA estimates the following costs to 
comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                  Labor cost                        Parts cost       Cost per product    Cost on U.S. operators
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170............                 $0                $170                   $20,400
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any 
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:

                                     Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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                            Labor cost                                  Parts cost          Cost per product
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..................................               $420                      $505
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[[Page 24961]]

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:

2025-12-02 Ipeco Holdings Limited: Amendment 39-23060; Docket No. 
FAA-2025-1101; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00616-Q.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 30, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to Ipeco Holdings Limited (Ipeco) pilot and 
co-pilot seats, identified by series part number in figure 1 to 
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD.

              Figure 1 to Paragraph (c)(1)--Affected Seats
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              Pilot seat                         Co-pilot seat
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3A063-0033-( )-( )...................  3A063-0034-( )-( )
3A063-0035-( )-( )...................  3A063-0036-( )-( )
3A063-0037-( )-( )...................  3A063-0038-( )-( )
3A063-0079-( )-( )...................  3A063-0080-( )-( )
3A063-0099-( )-( )...................  3A063-0100-( )-( )
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) These pilot and co-pilot seats are known to be installed on, 
but not limited to, ATR-GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional 
Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of unexpected rearward movement 
of pilot and co-pilot seats during take-off and landing. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address unexpected movement of pilot and co-pilot 
seats on takeoff and landing. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in reduced control of the airplane, a rapid 
descent of the airplane, and serious injury to passengers and crew.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Replacement of Stops and Packers

    (1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
all affected seats which have been modified by Ipeco Service 
Bulletin 063-25-15; Ipeco Service Bulletin 063-25-16; Ipeco Service 
Bulletin 063-25-17; or Ipeco Service Bulletin 063-25-18. Do the 
inspection in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 063-25-20, Issue 1, dated 
March 25, 2025.
    (2) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, correct installation of the stops and packers is found, 
before further flight, perform the operational tests, in accordance 
with Part C of the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service 
Bulletin 063-25-20, Issue 1, dated March 25, 2025.
    (3) If, during the inspection as required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, any incorrect installation of the stops or packers is 
found, before further flight, remove and install the stops and 
packers and perform operational tests, in accordance with Part B and 
Part C of the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco Service Bulletin 
063-25-20, Issue 1, dated March 25, 2025.

(h) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199, are not allowed.

(i) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Validation 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 
International Validation Branch, or the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD, email to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Validation Branch, FAA; or the UK CAA; or Ipeco Holdings Limited's 
UK CAA Alternative Procedures to Design Organization Approval 
(ADOA). If approved by the ADOA, the approval must include the ADOA-
authorized signature.

(j) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Brenda Buitrago 
Perez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-288-7368; email [email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Ipeco Service Bulletin 063-25-20, Issue 1, dated March 25, 
2025.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Ipeco material identified in this AD, contact Ipeco 
Holdings Limited, Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN, United 
Kingdom; phone: +44 1702 545118; fax: +44 1702 540782; email: 
[email protected].
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 
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].


[[Page 24962]]


    Issued on June 10, 2025.
Christopher R. Parker,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-10823 Filed 6-10-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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