DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0504; Product Identifier 2017-NE-12-AD; Amendment
39-19415; AD 2018-19-15]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

DATES: This AD is effective November 14, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 14,
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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
Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7759. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0504.

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 Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is
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 certain Geven, Type D1-02
and D1-03 seat assemblies. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on July 14, 2017 (82 FR 32494). The NPRM was prompted by a report that
seat belt attachment bolts were found detached or partially detached
from the seat. The NPRM proposed to require inspection, torque
verification, and modification of certain model seats. We are issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
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 after this as ``the
MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these 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 EASA AD requires a one-time inspection of all safety
belt attachment bolts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of
the applicable corrective action(s). This EASA 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.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the
determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification to the Number of Affected Airplanes

Since we issued the NPRM, we determined that we needed to identify
the specific number of affected Avions de transport regional (ATR) 42
and ATR 72 airplanes rather than list the overall number of airplanes
that are affected. The estimated costs have not changed.

Clarification to Required Actions

We also determined that the compliance in the NPRM was not clear as
to which Geven seats required modification and which required bushing
replacement. We have clarified the Required Actions in this AD.
Additionally, all Geven Type D1-02 and D1-03 safety belt assemblies are
torque checked, but, only Geven Type D1-03 seat belt attachment
assemblies on the aisle side spreader must be modified.

Clarification of Service Information Reporting Requirements

We also determined that Geven Service Bulletin (SB) No. D103-25-
004, Revision 4, dated March 15, 2016, specifies to submit certain
information to the manufacturer. This AD does not include that
requirement.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed except
for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor
changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Geven 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects an unknown number of seat
assemblies installed on, but not limited to, 25 ATR 42 airplanes and 13
ATR 72 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

According to the manufacturer, some of the 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. 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.
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

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):