DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0632; Product Identifier 2017-NE-16-AD; Amendment
39-19487; AD 2018-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Zodiac Seats France Cabin Attendant Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Zodiac Seats France 536 Series Cabin Attendant Seats. This AD was
prompted by cracks found in a highly concentrated stress area of the
seat pan hinges. This AD requires repetitive inspections and
replacement of the seat pan. We are issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 28, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 28,
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Zodiac Seats France, Rue Robert Marechal Senior B.P. 69, 36100
Issoudun, France; phone: +33 (0) 2 54 03 39 39; fax: +33 (0) 2 54 03 39
00; email: zs.tac@zodiacaerospace.com; internet: https://services.
zodiacaerospace.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-2017-0632.

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-
0632; 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: Dorie Resnik, Aerospace Engineer,
Boston ACO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA, 01803;
phone: 781-238-7693; fax: 781-238-7199; email: dorie.resnik@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 Zodiac Seats France 536
Series Cabin Attendant Seats. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on December 22, 2017 (82 FR 60690). The NPRM was prompted by
cracks found in a highly concentrated stress area of the seat pan
hinges. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections of the
affected cabin attendant seats and, depending on findings, replacement
of the seat pan. 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 2017-0001, dated January 6, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI'') to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:

Cases of cracks were found on Zodiac Seats France cabin
attendant seats 536 series installed on some ATR 42 and ATR 72
aeroplanes. The detected damage was located in the area of the seat
pan hinges. Investigations identified that fatigue had caused these
cracks in a highly concentrated stress area.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
failure of the seat, possibly resulting in injury to the seat
occupant.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Zodiac Seats France
issued Service Bulletin (SB) 536-25-003 to provide inspection and
replacement instructions. Consequently, EASA issued AD 2016-0164,
requiring repetitive visual inspections of the affected cabin
attendant seats and, depending on findings, replacement of the seat
pan.
Since that AD was issued, Zodiac Seats France developed a
reinforced seat pan, and revised SB 536-25-003 accordingly. After
installation of a reinforced seat pan, the seat P/N amendment status
is updated.
For the reason described above, this AD retains the requirements
of EASA AD 2016-0164, which is superseded, prohibits installation of
unreinforced seat pans on seats already modified, and introduces the
reinforced seat pan installation as optional terminating action for
the repetitive inspections.

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-2017-0632.

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.

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 Zodiac Seats France Service Bulletin (SB) No. 536-25-
003, Rev. 3, dated June 2, 2017. The SB describes procedures for
inspection, modification, or replacement of the seat pan 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 55 seat assemblies installed on,
but not limited to, ATR 42 and 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):