DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0490; Product Identifier 2017-NE-13-AD; Amendment
39-19082; AD 2017-22-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; IPECO Pilot and Co-Pilot Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Ipeco Holdings Ltd. (Ipeco) pilot and co-pilot seats. This AD requires
modification and reidentification of the affected seats. This AD was
prompted by reports of unexpected movement of pilot and co-pilot seats
on takeoff and landing. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 12, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 12,
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Ipeco Holdings Ltd., Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, SS2 6UN,
United Kingdom; phone: 44 1702 549371; fax: 44 1702 540782; email:
sales@Ipeco.com. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue,
Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 781-238-7125. It is also available on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2017-0490.

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-
0490; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this 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
Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil Doh, Aerospace Engineer, Boston
ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
781-238-7757; fax: 781-238-7199; email: neil.doh@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to the specified products. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 16, 2017 (82 FR
27629). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:

Occurrences have been reported of pilot/co-pilot unexpected
rearward movement during take-off and landing. Investigations
determined that horizontal guide block wear, presence of burrs on
horizontal centre track, and horizontal track lock system weakness
(spring tension too low) were various causes which contributed to
the seat not being correctly locked.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further cases of
unwanted flight crew seat movement, possibly resulting in reduced
control of the aeroplane.

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-2017-0490.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Shorten Compliance Time

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) requested that the FAA work
with EASA to reevaluate the compliance time for this AD. ALPA indicated
that the requirements of this AD could be accomplished in a shorter
timeframe that would enhance safety.
ALPA did not provide data or a detailed explanation with respect to
its request for a shorter time frame. Consequently, upon further review
of the risk analysis with EASA, we determined the proposed time frame
for accomplishment of this AD is appropriate.

Miscellaneous Comments

We received miscellaneous comments not relevant to this AD. No
further response is required.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data, including the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Ipeco has issued Service Bulletin (SB) Number 063-25-08, Revision
00; SB Number 063-25-09, Revision 00; and SB Number 063-25-10, Revision
00; all dated May 31, 2016. These SBs provide instructions,
differentiated by the part numbers of the affected pilot and co-pilot
seats, for the modification and reidentification of these seats. 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects an unknown number of pilot and co-
pilot seats installed on 55 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):