Airworthiness Directives; PTC Seating Products Division, B/E Aerospace, Model 950 Series Passenger Seats Equipped With Footrest Assembly

[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]



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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.

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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

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