[Federal Register: September 18, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 180)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 53110-53112]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18se07-7]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28075; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-21-AD; Amendment 39-15204;

AD 2007-19-13]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; B/E Aerospace Skyluxe II (AA2) Passenger Seats

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This
AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation
authority of the United Kingdom (UK) to identify and correct an unsafe condition on B/E Aerospace
Skyluxe II (AA2) passenger seats. The MCAI states the following:

Compliance is required with B/E Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 25-20-2658 not later
than one month from receipt of the bulletin. The Alert Service Bulletin requires
inspection and re-orientation of the Hydrolok retaining pin. This action is required
because under certain conditions the Hydrolok pin can migrate and disconnect from the
seat structure, resulting in the seat back having no rearward restraint and allowing it to
rotate aft into the seat or exit pathway behind.

We are issuing this AD to prevent detachment of the seat hydrolok pin, allowing the seat back to
rotate aft without restraint, which could lead to occupant injury.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 3, 2007.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of B/E Aerospace
Alert Service Bulletin No. 25-20-2658, dated November 12, 2001, listed in the AD as of October 18,
2007.
We must receive comments on this AD by October 18, 2007.

ADDRESSES: The Docket Operations office is located at U.S. Department of Transportation,

Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue,
SE., Washington, DC 20590.

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Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
provided 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, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park,
Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7161; fax (781) 238-7170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is the civil aviation authority for the UK, has issued
AD 002-11-2001, dated November 27, 2001, to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The CAA AD states:

Compliance is required with B/E Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 25-20-2658 not later
than one month from receipt of the bulletin. The Alert Service Bulletin requires
inspection and re-orientation of the Hydrolok retaining pin. This action is required
because under certain conditions the Hydrolok pin can migrate and disconnect from the
seat structure, resulting in the seat back having no rearward restraint and allowing it to
rotate aft into the seat or exit pathway behind.

You may obtain further information by examining the CAA AD in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

B/E Aerospace has issued Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 25-20-2658, dated November 12,
2001. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the CAA AD.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of the UK and is approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the UK, they have notified us
of the unsafe condition described in the CAA AD and service information referenced above. We are
issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information provided by the CAA and determined the
unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
This AD requires inspection and re-orientation of the Hydrolok retaining pin.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD. The FAA has found
that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because B/E Aerospace requires compliance with the ASB within one month of receipt of the ASB.

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Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

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-2007-28075; Directorate Identifier 2007-NE-21-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://dms.dot.gov, including any
personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact we receive about this AD.

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 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); and
3. 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 a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part
39 as follows:

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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 adding the following new AD:

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 AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
FAA
Aircraft Certification Service www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html

2007-19-13 B/E Aerospace: Amendment 39-15204; Docket No. FAA-2007-28075; Directorate

Identifier 2007-NE-21-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 3, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to B/E Aerospace Skyluxe II (AA2) passenger seats. These seats are
installed on, but not limited to, Airbus A300, A300-600, A320, A321, A330, and A340 series
airplanes; Boeing 737-800 series, 747-200, -300, and -400 series; 767-200 and -300 series; 777-200
and -300 series airplanes; and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 airplanes.

Reason

(d) United Kingdom (UK) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD 002-11-2001, dated November
27, 2001, states:

Compliance is required with B/E Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 25-20-2658 not later
than one month from receipt of the bulletin. The Alert Service Bulletin requires
inspection and re-orientation of the Hydrolok retaining pin. This action is required
because under certain conditions the Hydrolok pin can migrate and disconnect from the
seat structure, resulting in the seat back having no rearward restraint and allowing it to
rotate aft into the seat or exit pathway behind.

We are issuing this AD to prevent detachment of the seat hydrolok pin, allowing the seat back to
rotate aft without restraint, which could lead to occupant injury.

Actions and Compliance

(e) Unless already done, do the following actions within 30 days after the effective date of this
AD:
(1) Visually inspect and re-orient if necessary, Hydrolok retaining pins.
(2) Use paragraphs 3.1.1 through 3.1.13 of Accomplishment Instructions of B/E Aerospace Alert
Service Bulletin No. 25-20-2658, dated November 12, 2001, to perform the inspections and re-
orientations.

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Other FAA AD Provisions

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

(g) Refer to UK CAA AD 002-11-2001, dated November 27, 2001, for related information.

(h) Contact Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine
& Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail:
[email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7161; fax (781) 238-7170, for more information about this
AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use B/E Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin No. 25-20-2658, dated November 12,
2001, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact B/E Aerospace, (UK) Ltd., Grovebury
Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England LU7 4TB; telephone 44 1525 858 371.
(3) You may review service information copies at the FAA, New England Region, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or 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/ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 12, 2007.

Francis A. Favara,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18336 Filed 9-17-07; 8:45 am]