Airworthiness Directives; RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. (RECARO) Model 3410 Seats

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 23, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49326-49327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13911]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22876; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-39-AD; 
Amendment 39-14734; AD 2006-17-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. 
(RECARO) Model 3410 Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain RECARO Model 3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 791, 792, 
and 795 series seats. This AD requires replacing the existing 
attachment bolts for the seat belts with longer attachment bolts. This 
AD results from a report of short attachment bolts that don't allow 
enough thread to properly secure the locknuts. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent a seat belt from detaching due to a loose locknut and 
attachment bolt, which could result in injury to an occupant during 
emergency conditions.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 27, 2006. The Director of 
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain 
publications listed in the regulations as of September 27, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You can get the service information identified in this AD 
from RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. K, Technical Publications, 
Daimlerstrasse 21, 74523 Schwebisch Hall, Germany; Telephone 49 791 503 
7183; fax 49 791 503 7220.
    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
telephone (781) 238-7161; fax (781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with a proposed AD. The proposed AD applies to certain RECARO Model 
3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 791, 792, and 795 series seats. 
We published the proposed AD in the Federal Register on February 8, 
2006 (71 FR 6420). That action proposed to require replacing the 
existing attachment bolts for the seat belts with longer attachment 
bolts.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the docket that contains the AD, any comments 
received, and any final disposition in person at the Docket Management 
Facility Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 
647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the Department of 
Transportation Nassif Building at the street address stated in 
ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
the DMS receives them.
    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.
    One commenter, the Boeing Airplane Company, asks us to remove the 
737 aircraft minor model designator ``-200'' from the applicability of 
this AD. Boeing states that research of the configurations for all 
delivered Boeing 737-200 airplanes failed to reveal any of the affected 
seats installed on those airplanes. However, Boeing states that RECARO 
reported to Boeing that seats were installed in a 737-200 airplane. 
Boeing believes an operator installed the seats after production of the 
airplane. Boeing also has records of installing seats with the affected 
model numbers on 737-700 and 737-800 airplanes. Boeing states that 
those seats incorporate the longer bolts specified in RECARO service 
bulletin SB-No.: 3410-25MR477, Revision 3, dated May 17, 2004, and we 
should use the generic 737 designation without a minor model 
designator. We partially agree. This AD applies to the RECARO seat 
models identified in paragraph (c) of this AD.

[[Page 49327]]

We list the known airplane models that use these types of seats to help 
owners and operators to determine if their airplane might use these 
seats. Listing the minor model designators for the 737 airplanes that 
could use these seats will help operators determine if this AD might 
apply to them. We retained the -200 designation, and added the -700 and 
-800 designations to the ``used on but not limited to'' statement in 
the Applicability.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 3,101 seats installed in 
airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 
0.10 work-hour per seat to perform the actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $10 per 
seat. Based on these figures, we estimate the total cost of this AD to 
U.S. operators to be $51,166.

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 
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 have determined that 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;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary at the 
address listed under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration 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:

2006-17-13 RECARO Aircraft Seats GmbH & Co.: Amendment 39-14734. 
Docket No. FAA-2005-22876; Directorate Identifier 2005-NE-39-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 27, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain RECARO Aircraft Seats GmbH & Co. 
(RECARO) Model 3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 791, 792, and 
795 series seats. These seats are installed on, but not limited to, 
Boeing 737-200, 737-700, and 737-800 series, 747-400 series, 777-200 
and 777-300 series; and Airbus Industries A319-100 series, A320-200 
series, and A321-200 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of short attachment bolts that 
don't allow enough thread to secure the locknuts properly. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent a seat belt from detaching due to a loose 
locknut and attachment bolt, which could result in injury to an 
occupant during emergency conditions.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, 
unless the actions have already been done.

Replacing the Attachment Bolt

    (f) For RECARO Model 3410 302, 303, 306, 307, 314, 316, 317, 
791, 792, and 795 series seats with a serial number listed in 
section 1.A. Effectivity of RECARO service bulletin SB-No.: 3410-
25MR477, Revision 3, dated May 17, 2004, replace the seat belt 
attachment bolt and nut. Use section 2. Accomplishment Instructions 
of RECARO service bulletin SB-No.: 3410-25MR477, Revision 3, dated 
May 17, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (g) The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, has the 
authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD 
if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (h) Luftfahrt-Bundesamt airworthiness directive D-2004-151R1, 
dated June 6, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use RECARO service bulletin SB-No.: 3410-25MR477, 
Revision 3, dated May 17, 2004 to perform the bolt replacements 
required by this AD. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact RECARO 
Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. K, Technical Publications, 
Daimlerstrasse 21, 74523 Schwebisch Hall, Germany; telephone 49 791 
503 7183; fax 49 791 503 7220, for a copy of this service 
information. You may review copies at the FAA, New England Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on August 16, 2006.
Thomas A. Boudreau,
Acting Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6-13911 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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