[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47364-47366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23862]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-168-AD; Amendment 39-10123; AD 97-19-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737 Series Airplanes
Equipped With Manual
IPECO Captain and First Officer Seats
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737 series airplanes, that
currently requires an inspection to determine whether the bearings of
the tracklock bracket assemblies of the pilot and co-pilot seats are
secure, modification of loose bearings, and marking of the seat
identification labels. This AD requires a visual inspection to
determine whether the modification and marking of the crew seats were
accomplished; and, if not, accomplishment of these actions, which
constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD. This
amendment is prompted by a report indicating that a first officer's
crew seat on an in-service airplane failed to lock horizontally. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent the captain and
first officer crew seats from sliding freely on the track, which could
result in uncommanded movement of the seats and reduced controllability
of the airplane.
DATES: Effective September 24, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of IPECO Service Bulletin A001-25-
92, Issue 1, dated June 2, 1997, as listed in the regulations is
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of September 24,
1997.
The incorporation by reference of IPECO Service Bulletin A001-25-
74, Issue 2, dated May 6, 1993, as listed in the regulations, was
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of
August 24, 1993 (58 FR 42192, August 9, 1993).
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before November 10, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-168-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
IPECO, Inc., 3882 Del Amo Boulevard, suite 604, Torrance, California
90503. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica L. Nemecek, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S; FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; telephone (425) 227-2773; fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 2, 1993, the FAA issued AD 93-15-
08, amendment 39-8654 (58 FR 42192, August 9, 1993), applicable to
certain Boeing Model 737 airplanes, to require an inspection to
determine whether the bearings of the tracklock bracket assemblies of
the pilot and co-pilot seats are secure, modification of loose
bearings, and marking of the seat identification label. [A correction
of the rule was published in the Federal Register on September 14, 1993
(58 FR 47986).] That action was prompted by reports of pilot seats
failing to lock horizontally due to the tracklock pin bearing becoming
detached from its housing and wedged in the mechanism. The actions
required by that AD are intended to prevent the pilot and co-pilot
seats from sliding freely on the track, which could lead to the
inability of the pilots to control the airplane.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of AD 93-15-08 R1, the FAA has received a report
indicating that a first officer's crew seat on a Boeing Model 737
series airplane,
[[Page 47365]]
which had been inspected previously in accordance with IPECO Service
Bulletin A001-25-74, Issue 2, dated May 6, 1993, failed to lock
horizontally because the tracklock pin bearing of the tracklock bracket
assembly detached from its housing and wedged in the tracklock
mechanism. In addition, four reports were received of captain and first
officer crew seats becoming loose after being inspected previously.
Migration of the tracklock bearing from the tracklock bracket
assemblies, if not corrected, could cause the crew seats to slide
horizontally on the track during acceleration and takeoff of the
airplane, which could result in uncommanded movement of the seats and
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Since the issuance of the previous rule, the FAA has reviewed and
approved IPECO Service Bulletin A001-25-92, Issue 1, dated June 2,
1997, which specifies procedures for a visual inspection of the seat
identification label to determine whether the modification and marking
of the captain and first officer crew seats were accomplished in
accordance with the previously referenced IPECO service bulletin (A001-
25-74); and, if not, procedures for such modification and marking to
ensure that the seats are secure. Modification of the crew seats
requires the installation of a bearing retaining pin in the tracklock
bracket assemblies of the captain and first officer crew seats to
ensure that these seats remain in a secure position during acceleration
and takeoff of the airplane. Marking of the crew seats is accomplished
by vibro etch or a similar method on the seat pan structure, beneath
the pin cushion, or on the aft face of the seat base structure,
following installation of the retaining pin.
Explanation of Requirements of Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design, this AD
supersedes AD 93-15-08 R1 to require a visual inspection to determine
whether the modification and marking of crew seats have been
accomplished; and, if not, accomplishment of such modification and
marking to ensure that the seats are secure, which constitutes
terminating action for the requirements of this AD. These actions are
to be done in accordance with the IPECO service bulletins referenced
previously.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-168-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-8686 (58 FR
47986, September 14, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-10123, to read as follows:
97-19-03 BOEING: Amendment 39-10123. Docket 97-NM-168-AD.
Supersedes AD 93-15-08 R1, Amendment 39-8686.
Applicability: Model 737 series airplanes equipped with IPECO
Model 093 captain and first officer crew seats, having seat serial
numbers up to and including 21121; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not
[[Page 47366]]
been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed
actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the captain and first officer crew seats from sliding
freely on the track, which could result in uncommanded movement of
the seats and reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a visual inspection of the seat identification labels of the captain
and first officer crew seats to determine whether these seats were
modified by installing a bearing retaining pin in the tracklock
bracket assembly of the seats, and whether the seats were marked by
an identification label, in accordance with IPECO Service Bulletin
A001-25-74, Issue 2, dated May 6, 1993, or IPECO Service Bulletin
A001-25-92, Issue 1, dated June 2, 1997.
(i) If the modification and marking of the crew seats were
accomplished in accordance with service bulletin A001-25-74 or A001-
25-92, no further action is required by this AD.
(ii) If the modification and marking were not accomplished in
accordance with either service bulletin, within 90 days after the
effective date of this AD, accomplish the modification (installation
of a bearing retaining pin in the tracklock bracket assembly of the
captain and first officer crew seats), and the marking of the seat
identification label; in accordance with IPECO Service Bulletin
A001-25-92, Issue 1, dated June 2, 1997.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a pilot/co-pilot (captain/first officer) crew seat
that does not bear the marking ``A001-25-74'' or ``A001-25-92'' on
the seat identification label.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained
from the Seattle ACO.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with IPECO Service
Bulletin A001-25-92, Issue 1, dated June 2, 1997; or IPECO Service
Bulletin A001-25-74, Issue 2, dated May 6, 1993.
(1) The incorporation by reference of IPECO Service Bulletin
A001-25-92, ssue 1, dated June 2, 1997, is approved by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51.
(2) The incorporation by reference of IPECO Service Bulletin
A001-25-74, Issue 2, dated May 6, 1993, was approved previously by
the Director of the Federal Register as of August 24, 1993 (58 FR
42192, August 9, 1993).
(3) Copies may be obtained from IPECO, Inc., 3882 Del Amo
Boulevard, suite 604, Torrance, California 90503. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 24, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 3, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-23862 Filed 9-8-97; 8:45 am]
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