Document ID: FAA-2013-0752-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Pacific Scientific Aviation Services (Pacific Scientific) Seat Restraint System Rotary Buckle Assemblies
Posted Date: 2013-09-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54594-54596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21570]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 172 / Thursday, September 5, 2013 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 54594]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0752; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-44-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Pacific Scientific Aviation Services 
(Pacific Scientific) Seat Restraint System Rotary Buckle Assemblies

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 the 
specified Pacific Scientific seat restraint rotary buckle assemblies 
(buckle). This proposed AD is prompted by several reports of a cracked 
handle on certain buckles. Testing on these buckles indicates that in 
some circumstances a load placed on the restraint system prevents a 
strap from releasing as intended when the buckle is rotated. The 
proposed actions are intended to replace cracked buckle handles and 
allow the release of the restraint system strap in an emergency.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 4, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Docket: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: Send comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to the ``Mail'' address between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 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 economic 
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 service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Pacific Scientific Aviation Services, 11700 NW 102nd Rd. 6, 
Miami, Florida 33178, telephone 305-477-4711, fax 305-477-9799 or at 
www.pacscimiami. You may review a copy of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas 76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email robert.grant@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
written comments, data, or views. We also invite comments relating to 
the economic, environmental, energy, or federalism impacts that might 
result from adopting the proposals in this document. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. To 
ensure the docket does not contain duplicate comments, commenters 
should send only one copy of written comments, or if comments are filed 
electronically, commenters should submit only one time.
    We will file in the docket all comments that we receive, as well as 
a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA personnel 
concerning this proposed rulemaking. Before acting on this proposal, we 
will consider all comments we receive on or before the closing date for 
comments. We will consider comments filed after the comment period has 
closed if it is possible to do so without incurring expense or delay. 
We may change this proposal in light of the comments we receive.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD No. 2007-0256, dated September 19, 2007, to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Pacific Scientific Seat Restraint System Plastic 
Rotary Buckle Handles. According to EASA, Pacific Scientific reports 
several instances of cracked handles on certain buckles with a date of 
manufacture from November 2004 through May 2007. Testing on buckles 
with a cracked handle indicates that in some circumstances a load 
placed on the restraint system prevents a strap from releasing as 
intended when the buckle is rotated. EASA states that these 
circumstances happen when a passenger weighs more than 50 kg 
(approximately 110 lbs.) and an aircraft is upside down. The EASA AD 
also states that these circumstances are considered ``possible to take 
place for helicopters only and not for large aeroplanes.''
    Further, EASA states that buckle part numbers 1111430-XX and 
1111475-XX, manufactured from November 2004 through May 2007, are used 
in 7 part-numbered restraint systems, which are known to be installed 
on, but not limited to, Eurocopter France Model AS350, AS355, EC120, EC 
130, and EC155 helicopters.
    The proposed actions are intended to prevent a buckle from not 
releasing the restraint system strap in an emergency.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved for operation in the United Kingdom 
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 
bilateral agreement with the United Kingdom, EASA, its technical 
representative, has notified the FAA of the situation described in its 
AD. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all known relevant 
information and determined that an unsafe condition is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of this same type design.

Related Service Information

    Pacific Scientific has issued Service Bulletin 25-1111432, dated 
May 22, 2007 (SB). The SB specifies inspecting

[[Page 54595]]

each buckle, part number (P/N) 1111430-XX or 1111475-XX with a date of 
manufacture between November 2004 and May 2007, to identify whether the 
handle is one susceptible to cracking by checking the P/N on the 
reverse side of the buckle assembly against the P/N listed in Appendix 
1 of the SB or by measuring the thickness of the handle vane. If the 
buckle is identified as a ``suspect'' buckle, the SB provides 
procedures for removing the buckle and replacing it with an acceptable 
buckle. Information in the SB also advises that buckles with a cracked 
handle should be removed from service immediately.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require, within 30 days, inspecting each 
buckle for a crack and replacing any cracked buckle with an airworthy 
buckle by complying with paragraph 9 of the SB. Also, within 6 months, 
this proposed AD would require inspecting the thickness of the buckle 
handle vane and replacing any buckle with a handle vane thickness of 
0.125 inch or greater. Lastly, this proposed AD would prohibit 
installing an affected buckle on any helicopter or airplane.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the EASA AD

    The EASA AD applies to certain Eurocopter model helicopters only. 
Since the affected buckles may be installed in other aircraft resulting 
in the same unsafe condition, this proposed AD would also apply to 
those aircraft. We would not require you to return the unairworthy 
buckle assembly to the manufacturer, and this AD would not apply to 
``spare'' parts that are not installed on an aircraft. Also, this AD 
would apply to buckle P/Ns 1111430 and 1111475, all dash numbers, and 
would not be dependent on the restraint P/Ns. This AD would not require 
an inspection for cracks ``before any flight'' for the 6 months until 
the affected buckles are replaced. Finally, the EASA AD identifies 
suspect parts by date of manufacture, and this AD would not.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 1,435 restraint 
systems installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. We estimate that 
operators may incur the following costs in order to comply with this 
AD:
     A minimal cost and amount of time to inspect for an 
affected buckle.
     $43 in labor costs for 0.5 hour to replace any affected 
buckle at an estimated labor cost of $85 per work-hour.
     $250 for required parts to replace a buckle.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators would be $293 per restraint system or $420,455 for the 
fleet.

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, 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.
    We prepared an economic evaluation of the estimated costs to comply 
with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Pacific Scientific Aviation Services: Docket No. FAA-2003-0752; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-44-AD.

(a) Applicability

    This AD applies to Pacific Scientific rotary buckle assembly 
(buckle), part number (P/N) 1111430 or 1111475, all dash numbers, 
installed on but not limited to Cessna Aircraft Company, de 
Havilland, Inc. (TC currently held by Viking Air Limited), and 
Learjet Inc. model airplanes and Eurocopter France model 
helicopters, certificated in any category.

(b) Unsafe Condition

    This AD defines the unsafe condition as a cracked rotary buckle 
handle, which could prevent a strap from releasing as intended when 
the buckle is rotated.

(c) Compliance

    You are responsible for performing each action required by this 
AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been 
accomplished prior to that time.

(d) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 4, 2013.

(e) Required Actions

    (1) Within 30 days, inspect the buckle handle for a crack. If 
the buckle handle is cracked, before further flight, remove the 
buckle as depicted in Figure 5 and by following the Procedures, 
paragraph 9, of Pacific Scientific Service Bulletin (SB) 25-1111432, 
dated May 22, 2007, and replace it with an airworthy buckle, except 
you are not required to return the removed buckle to Pacific 
Scientific.
    (2) Within 6 months, measure the thickness of the buckle handle 
vane as depicted in Figure 3 of the SB. If the handle vane thickness 
is 0.125 inch or greater, before further flight, remove the buckle 
from service and replace it with an airworthy buckle.
    (3) Do not install a buckle or a restraint system with a buckle, 
P/N 1111430 or 1111475, all dash numbers, with a handle vane 
thickness of 0.125 inch or greater on any helicopter or airplane.

 (f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

    (1) The Manager, Safety Management Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs 
for this

[[Page 54596]]

AD. Send your proposal to: Robert Grant, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Safety Management Group, FAA, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 
76137; telephone 817-222-5110; email robert.grant@faa.gov.
    (2) For operations conducted under a part 119 operating 
certificate or under part 91, Subpart K, we suggest that you notify 
your principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the 
manager of the local flight standards district office or certificate 
holding district office before operating any aircraft complying with 
this AD through an AMOC.

(g) Additional Information

    (1) You may review a copy of the service information at the FAA, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham 
Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137.
    (2) The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD No.2007--0256, dated September 19, 2007.

 (h) Subject

    Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 2500 Cabin 
Equipment/Furnishings.

    Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on August 22, 2013.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-21570 Filed 9-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P