DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0730; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-206-AD;
Amendment 39-17984; AD 2014-20-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Zodiac Seats France (formerly Sicma
Aero Seat) Passenger Seat Assemblies

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2011-07-05 for
certain Sicma Aero Seat 9140, 9166, 9173, 9174, 9184, 9188, 9196, 91B7,
91B8, 91C0, 91C2, 91C4, 91C5, and 9301 series passenger seat
assemblies; and Sicma Aero Seat 9501311-05, 9501301-06, 9501311-15,
9501301-16, 9501441-30, 9501441-33, 9501311-55, 9501301-56, 9501441-83,
9501441-95, 9501311-97, and 9501301-98 passenger seat assemblies. AD
2011-07-05 required a general visual inspection for cracking of
backrest links, replacement with new links if cracking is found, and
eventual replacement of all links with new links. This new AD requires
a new general visual inspection for cracking of backrest links, which
includes new seat backrest links; replacement with new links if
cracking is found; and eventual replacement of all links with new
links. This AD was prompted by a report that new seat backrest links
could be affected by cracks similar to those identified on the backrest
links with the previous design. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct cracks in the backrest links, which could affect the structural
integrity of seat backrests. Failure of the backrest links could result
in injury to an occupant during emergency landing conditions.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 22, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 22,
2014.
We must receive comments on this AD by November 21, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
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.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Zodiac Seats
France, 7, Rue Lucien Coupet, 36100 ISSOUDUN, France; telephone +33 (0)
2 54 03 39 39; fax +33 (0) 2 54 03 39 00; email
customerservices@sicma.zodiac.com; Internet http://www.sicma.zodiac
aerospace.com/en/. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0730; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Engine & Propeller
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803;
telephone (781) 238-7161; fax (781) 238-7199; email:
jeffrey.lee@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On March 14, 2011, we issued AD 2011-07-05, Amendment 39-16642 (76
FR 18020, April 1, 2011). AD 2011-07-05 applied to certain Sicma Aero
Seat 9140, 9166, 9173, 9174, 9184, 9188, 9196, 91B7, 91B8, 91C0, 91C2,
91C4, 91C5, and 9301 series passenger seat assemblies; and Sicma Aero
Seat 9501311-05, 9501301-06, 9501311-15, 9501301-16, 9501441-30,
9501441-33, 9501311-55, 9501301-56, 9501441-83, 9501441-95, 9501311-97,
and 9501301-98 passenger seat assemblies; installed on, but not limited
to, various transport category airplanes. AD 2011-07-05 was prompted by
reports of cracks on certain backrest links. We issued AD 2011-07-05 to
detect and correct cracking of backrest links, which could result in
failure of the backrest links during emergency landing conditions and
consequent injury to an occupant.
Since we issued AD 2011-07-05, Amendment 39-16642 (76 FR 18020,
April 1, 2011), we received a report that new seat backrest links could
be affected by cracks similar to those identified on the backrest links
with the previous design.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0038, dated March 12, 2012 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:

On in-service passenger seats, some cracks were found on seat
backrest link with part number (P/N) 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-
104-2.
These cracks could significantly affect the structural integrity
of the seat backrests. Failures of the seat backrests could result
in injury to passengers or crew members during an emergency landing.
To prevent this condition, a life limit was introduced on the
affected backrest links and their mandatory replacement was required
by [a French AD] * * * [which corresponds to FAA AD 2011-07-05,
Amendment 39-16642 (76 FR 18020, April 1, 2011)].
Since that [French] AD was issued, the seat manufacturer
introduced new seat backrest links of similar design with P/N 90-
000202-104-1 and P/N 90-000202-104-2 for passenger seat series 91B7,
91B8 and 91C5.
Further analysis showed that also the new seat backrest links
are potentially affected by similar cracks to those identified on
the backrest links with the previous design.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD, which
supersedes * * * [the French AD], requires visual inspections of the
seat backrest links, the accomplishment of the applicable corrective
actions as well as the replacement of the backrests links before
reaching their life limit.

Failure of the backrest links could result in injury to an occupant
during emergency landing conditions. The required actions include a
general visual inspection for cracking of backrest links, replacement
with new links if cracking is found, and eventual replacement of all links
with new links.
We have also received additional information from the seat
manufacturer regarding the airlines with the affected seats; all of the
airlines with the affected seats are foreign air carriers. Since the
affected seats are not installed on airplanes in the U.S. registry, we
have revised the ``Costs of Compliance'' information in the preamble of
this AD.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014- 0730.

Relevant Service Information

Zodiac Seats France has issued Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-
25-012, Issue 6, dated January 25, 2012, including Annex 1, Issue 3,
dated January 25, 2012. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined the unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
There are no products of this type currently installed on airplanes
registered in the United States. However, this rule is necessary to
ensure that the described unsafe condition is addressed if any of these
products are installed on airplanes that are on the U.S. Register in
the future.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

Since there are currently no domestic operators of airplanes that
are equipped with this product, notice and opportunity for public
comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0730; Directorate
Identifier 2013-NM-206-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of
those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 0 seat assemblies installed on,
but not limited to, transport airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per seat
assembly to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $227
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the
actions required by this AD is $312 per seat assembly.
According to the manufacturer, the parts costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals.

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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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.

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 FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing airworthiness directive (AD)
2011-07-05, Amendment 39-16642 (76 FR 18020, April 1, 2011), and adding
the following new AD: