2023-14-10: Flight Compartment Equipment

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2019-21-06, Amendment 39-19772 (84 FR 60325, November 8, 2019); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-14-10 Ipeco Holdings Limited: Amendment 39-22510; Docket No. FAA-2023-0661; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00737-Q. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 7, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2019-21-06, Amendment 39-19772 (84 FR 60325, November 8, 2019); (AD 2019-21-06). (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to: (i) Ipeco Holdings Limited (Ipeco) pilot and co-pilot seats with a part number (P/N) listed in Paragraph 1.A., Planning Information, Tables 1 and 2, of Ipeco Service Bulletin (SB) Number 063-25-14, Revision 00, dated August 14, 2018, and (ii) Ipeco pilot seat P/N 3A063-0099-01-1 and Ipeco co-pilot seat P/N 3A063-0100-01-1. (2) These seats are installed on, but not limited to, ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional ATR 42 and ATR 72 airplanes. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2510, Flight Compartment Equipment. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of track lock spring failures occurring on affected seats. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent unexpected movement of pilot and co-pilot seats on takeoff and landing. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Modification and Re-Identification of Seats, Inspections and Replacement of Track Lock Spring, and Reporting With No Changes This paragraph retains the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2019-21-06, with no changes. (1) For seats that have not installed the track lock spring modification kit, within two years after December 12, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-22-02, Amendment 39-19082 (82 FR 51552, November 7, 2017)), modify and re-identify each affected pilot and co-pilot seat using the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco SB Number 063-25-08, Revision 00; Ipeco SB Number 063-25-09, Revision 00; or Ipeco SB Number 063-25-10, Revision 00; all dated May 31, 2016, as applicable to each affected seat. (2) For all affected seats: (i) Within 750 flight hours (FHs) after December 13, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-21-06), and, thereafter at intervals not to exceed 750 FHs, inspect the track lock spring of each seat in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.2, of Ipeco SB Number 063-25-14, Revision 00, dated August 14, 2018. (ii) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD, any damage on, or incorrect installation of, any track lock spring is found on the pilot or co-pilot seat, before further flight, replace both track lock springs of the affected seat with a part eligible for installation using the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph 3.3.3.1 or 3.3.3.2, as applicable, of Ipeco SB Number 063-25-14, Revision 00, dated August 14, 2018. (3) Within 30 days after the initial and repetitive inspections, and thereafter for two years after December 13, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-21-06), send the inspection results, including no findings, to Ipeco at [email protected]. (h) New Mandatory Terminating Action As a mandatory terminating action to the inspections required by paragraph (g)(2)(i) of this AD, within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, or at the next Base Maintenance check, whichever occurs later, modify and re-identify each affected seat in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Ipeco SB Number 063-25-15, Issue 2; SB Number 063-25-16, Issue 2; SB Number 063-25-17, Issue 2; or SB Number 063-25-18, Issue 2; all dated March 8, 2022, as applicable to each affected seat. (i) Installation Prohibition After the effective date of this AD, do not install any pilot or co-pilot seat identified in paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this AD unless the seat is modified and re-identified as specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. (j) Definitions (1) For the purpose of this AD, "damage" includes cracks, breaks, corrosion, or deformation of the track lock spring. (2) For the purpose of this AD, "incorrect installation" is an installed track lock spring that is at an angle or position different from the angle or position shown in Figures 6 and 7 of Ipeco SB Number 063-25-14, Revision 00, dated August 14, 2018. (3) For the purpose of this AD, a "part eligible for installation" is: (i) A modified seat provided, before installation, it has passed an inspection (no damage is found); and (ii) A track lock spring provided that it passed an inspection (no damage is found). (k) Credit for Previous Actions You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD if the actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using ATR SB No. ATR42-25-0191, Original Issue, dated July 4, 2016; ATR SB No. ATR42-25-0191, Revision No. 01, dated July 20, 2016; or ATR SB No. ATR72-25-1157, Revision No. 02, dated March 9, 2017. (l) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits are prohibited. (m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, 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 manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (n)(2) of this AD. (2) 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. (n) Additional Information (1) Refer to United Kingdom (UK) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) AD G-2022-0011, dated June 9, 2022, for related information. This UK CAA AD may be found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-0661. (2) For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Kung, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7244; email: [email protected]. (o) 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 the AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on September 7, 2023. (i) Ipeco Service Bulletin (SB) Number 063-25-15, Issue 2, dated March 8, 2022. (ii) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-16, Issue 2, dated March 8, 2022. (iii) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-17, Issue 2, dated March 8, 2022. (iv) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-18, Issue 2, dated March 8, 2022. (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 13, 2019 (84 FR 60325, November 8, 2019). (i) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-14, Revision 00, dated August 14, 2018. (ii) [Reserved] (5) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 12, 2017 (82 FR 51552, November 7, 2017). (i) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-08, Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016. (ii) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-09, Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016. (iii) Ipeco SB Number 063-25-10, Revision 00, dated May 31, 2016. (6) For Ipeco service information identified in this AD, contact Ipeco Holdings Limited, Aviation Way, Southend On Sea, SS2 6UN, United Kingdom; phone: +44 1702 545118; email: [email protected]. (7) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (8) 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, email: [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on July 13, 2023. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-16540 Filed 8-2-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P