DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0504; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; GEVEN S.p.A., Seat Assemblies, Type D1-02 and
D1-03

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Geven S.p.A., Type D1-02 and D1-03 seat assemblies. This
proposed AD was prompted by a report that seat belt attachment bolts
were found detached or partially detached from the seat. This proposed
AD would require inspection, torque verification, and modification of
certain model seats. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by August 28, 2017.

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.

Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.

Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Fax: 202-493-2251.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Geven
Technical Assistance Department, Via Boscofangone, Zona Industriale
Nola-Marigliano, 80035 Nola (NA), Italy; phone: +39 081 31 21 396; fax:
+39 081 31 21 321; email: Technical.assistance@geven.com. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

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-2017-0504;
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 proposed AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received,
and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Doh, Aerospace Engineer, Boston
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7757; fax:
781-238-7199; email: neil.doh@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2017-0504;
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-12-AD" at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed 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
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2014-0187, dated August 20, 2014 (referred to hereinafter as "the
MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:

An operator reported that seat belt attachment bolts were found
detached or partially detached from the seat. A further check on
several aeroplanes revealed that on a large number of seats of the
same model, the seat belt attachment bolts were not properly torqued
and secured as defined. This condition, if not detected and
corrected, could lead to failure of the seats to perform their
intended function, possibly resulting in injury to occupants in case
of an emergency landing. To address this potential unsafe condition,
Geven published SB No. D103-25-004 to provide inspection
instructions to verify if the seat belt attachment bolts are
properly torqued and secured, and correction of any deficiencies. In
addition, for certain D1-03 seats, the SB provides instructions to
modify the seat belt attachment assembly. For the reasons described
above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of all safety belt
attachment bolts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of the
applicable corrective action(s). This AD also requires modification
of the seat belt attachment assembly on certain D1-03 seats.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0504.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Geven S.p.A. has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. D103-25-004,
Revision 4, dated March 15, 2016. The SB describes procedures for
inspection, torque verification, and modification of certain model
seats known to be installed on ATR 42 and ATR 72 airplanes. This
service information 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 and Requirements of This Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of Italy,
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our
bilateral agreement with the European Community, EASA has notified us
of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information
referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design. This proposed AD would require inspection, torque verification
and modification of certain model seats.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects an unknown number of seat
assemblies installed on, but not limited to, 38 ATR 42 and ATR 72
airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:

(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 to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):