60322 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 7, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 9, 2014. 

Jeffrey E. Duven, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–23887 Filed 10–6–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

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. 

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.zodiacaerospace.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 


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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 7, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 60323 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 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: 

2014–20–11 Zodiac Seats France 

(formerly Sicma Aero Seat): Amendment 

39–17984. Docket No. FAA–2014–0730; 

Directorate Identifier 2013–NM–206–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective October 22, 

2014. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD replaces AD 2011–07–05, 

Amendment 39–16642 (76 FR 18020, April 1, 

2011). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Zodiac Seats France 

9140, 9166, 9173, 9174, 9184, 9188, 9196, 

91B7, 91B8, 91C0, 91C2, 91C4, 91C5, 91C9, 

9301, and 9501 series passenger seat 

assemblies; identified in Annex 1, Issue 3, 

dated January 25, 2012, of Sicma Aero Seat 

Service Bulletin 90–25–012, Issue 6, dated 

January 25, 2012. These passenger seat 

assemblies are installed on, but not limited 

to, the airplanes identified in paragraphs 

(c)(1), (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated 

in any category. 

(1) Airbus Model A330–200, A330–200 

Freighter, and A320–300 series airplanes. 

(2) Airbus Model A340–200, A340–300, 

A340–500, and A340–600 series airplanes. 


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60324 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 7, 2014 / Rules and Regulations 

(3) The Boeing Company Model 777–200, 

777–200LR, 777–300, 777–300ER, and 777F 

series airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 25: Equipment/Furnishings. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

cracks in the backrest links on certain seats. 

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. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Repetitive Inspections 

At the later of the times specified in 

paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD: Do a 

general visual inspection for cracking of seat 

backrest links having part number (P/N) 90– 

000200–104–1, P/N 90–000200–104–2, P/N 

90–000202–104–1 and P/N 90–000202–104– 

2, in accordance with the ‘‘PART ONE: 

GENERAL INTERMEDIATE CHECKING 

PROCEDURE’’ of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Sicma Aero Seat Service 

Bulletin 90–25–012, Issue 6, dated January 

25, 2012, including Annex 1, Issue 3, dated 

January 25, 2012. If no cracking is found on 

any link, repeat the inspection thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 900 flight hours on 

the seat or 5 months since the most recent 

inspection, whichever occurs later, until the 

replacement specified in paragraph (i) of this 

AD is done. 

(1) Within 6,000 flight hours on the seat or 

2 years, whichever occurs later after the seat 

manufacturing date or after the backrest link 

replacement. 

(2) Within 900 flight hours on the seat after 

the effective date of this AD, but no later than 

5 months after the effective date of this AD. 

(h) Corrective Actions 

(1) If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, any cracking is 

found on the link and no crack length 

exceeds the lock-out pin-hole as specified in 

Figure 2 or 4, as applicable, of Sicma Aero 

Seat Service Bulletin 90–25–012, Issue 6, 

dated January 25, 2012, including Annex 1, 

Issue 3, dated January 25, 2012: Within 600 

flight hours on the seat or 3 months, 

whichever occurs later after crack 

identification, replace the cracked link with 

a new link, in accordance with ‘‘PART TWO: 

ROUTINE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE 

(EXCEPT FOR SERIES 91B7, 91B8 & 91C5)’’ 

or ‘‘PART THREE: ROUTINE 

REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (FOR SERIES 

91B7, 91B8 & 91C5)’’ of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Sicma Aero Seat Service 

Bulletin 90–25–012, Issue 6, dated January 

25, 2012, including Annex 1, Issue 3, dated 

January 25, 2012. 

(2) If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, any cracking is 

found on the link and any crack length 

exceeds the lock-out pin-hole as specified in 

Figure 2 or 4, as applicable, of Sicma Aero 

Seat Service Bulletin 90–25–012, Issue 6, 

dated January 25, 2012, including Annex 1, 

Issue 3, dated January 25, 2012: Before 

further flight, replace the cracked link with 

a new link, in accordance with ‘‘PART TWO: 

ROUTINE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE 

(EXCEPT FOR SERIES 91B7, 91B8 & 91C5)’’ 

or ‘‘PART THREE: ROUTINE 

REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (FOR SERIES 

91B7, 91B8 & 91C5)’’ of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Sicma Aero Seat Service 

Bulletin 90–25–012, Issue 6, dated January 

25, 2012, including Annex 1, Issue 3, dated 

January 25, 2012. 

(i) Replacement 

At the later of the times specified in 

paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this AD: 

Replace all seat backrest links, having P/N 

90–000200–104–1, P/N 90–000200–104–2, 

P/N 90–000202–104–1 and P/N 90–000202– 

104–2, with new links, in accordance with 

‘‘PART TWO: ROUTINE REPLACEMENT 

PROCEDURE (EXCEPT FOR SERIES 91B7, 

91B8 & 91C5)’’ or ‘‘PART THREE: ROUTINE 

REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE (FOR SERIES 

91B7, 91B8 & 91C5)’’ of the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Sicma Aero Seat Service 

Bulletin 90–25–012, Issue 6, dated January 

25, 2012, including Annex 1, Issue 3, dated 

January 25, 2012. 

(1) Within 12,000 flight hours on the seat 

or 4 years, whichever occurs later after from 

the seat manufacturing date or after the 

backrest link replacement. 

(2) Within 3,500 flight hours on the seat 

after the effective date of this AD, but no later 

than 18 months after the effective date of this 

AD. 

(j) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for actions 

required by paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this 

AD, if those actions were performed before 

the effective date of this AD using the service 

information specified in paragraph (j)(1), 

(j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD. 

(1) Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90– 

25–012, Issue 3, dated October 3, 2001, 

which is not incorporated by reference in this 

AD. 

(2) Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90– 

25–012, Issue 4, dated December 19, 2001, 

which is not incorporated by reference in this 

AD. 

(3) Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90– 

25–012, Issue 5, dated March 19, 2004, 

including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 

2004, which is incorporated by reference in 

AD 2011–07–05, Amendment 39–16642 (76 

FR 18020, April 1, 2011). 

(k) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, Boston Aircraft 

Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the 

authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 

requested using the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 

send your request to your principal inspector 

or local Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the ACO, send it to ATTN: Jeffrey Lee, 

Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 

Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, 

Burlington, MA 01803; telephone (781) 238– 

7161; fax (781) 238–7199. Before using any 

approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 

principal inspector, or lacking a principal 

inspector, the manager of the local flight 

standards district office/certificate holding 

district office. The AMOC approval letter 

must specifically reference this AD. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the action must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification 

Office, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA). 

(l) Related Information 

Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European 

Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 

Directive 2012–0038, dated March 12, 2012, 

for related information. You may examine the 

MCAI on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for and 

locating Docket No. FAA–2014–0730. 

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

(IBR) of the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90– 

25–012, Issue 6, dated January 25, 2012, 

including Annex 1, Issue 3, dated January 25, 

2012. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) 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.zodiacaerospace.com/en/. 

(4) You may view this 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. 

(5) You may view this service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http://

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

September 23, 2014. 

Dionne Palermo, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2014–23538 Filed 10–6–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES