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AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of a broken attachment eyebolt in a Collins Aerospace JB6 Commuter Class passenger seat. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions, and limits the installation of affected parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective November 26, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 26, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1889; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
- For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; emailADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
- You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available atregulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1889.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Todd Thompson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 206-231-3228; email todd.thompson@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Deutsche Aircraft GmbH Model 328-100 and 328-300 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2024 (89 FR 58089). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0051, dated February 23, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0051) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states there have been reports of a broken attachment eyebolt in a Collins Aerospace JB6 Commuter Class passenger seat. The eyebolt is the connection between the reclining mechanism and the seat structure and connects the seat belt to the seat structure. Broken attachment eyebolts, if not detected and corrected, could prevent the correct operation of the safety belts, possibly resulting in injuries to seat occupants.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require a one-time detailed inspection of each affected part, and applicable corrective actions, and to limit the installation of affected parts, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0051. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1889.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2024-0051 specifies a one-time detailed inspection of affected eyebolt and spreader for correct installation and discrepancies ( i.e., cracks, traces of aluminum flakes or remainders of ripped-out threads in the tip threads, and damaged thread runs), and applicable corrective actions (obtaining and following repair instructions and replacing the affected parts). EASA AD 2024-0051 also specifies an affected part may be installed provided, before installation, that part passed an inspection (no damage detected).
This material is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates this AD affects 30 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
| Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,020 | $0 | $1,020 | $30,600 |
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
| Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product |
|---|---|---|
| 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 | $1,126 | $1,211 |