AD/Seats/28 Amdt 1 Passenger Seat Backrest Replacement (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SEATS/28 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Seats and Berths

AD/SEATS/28 Amdt 1 Passenger Seat Backrest - Replacement 9/2008

Applicability:

Passenger Seats 12M( )( )-( )( )( )( )( )( ), all part numbers (P/N) equipped with backrest P/N 313033000000 or 313033100000, as listed in Section 1.A of Aviointeriors Service Bulletin (SB) 12M/F68-06.

Note:  The affected seats are known to be installed on, but not limited to, the ATR 42 and ATR 72 series aircraft.

Requirement:

1.    Unless already accomplished, replace the backrest P/N 313033000000 and/or 313033100000 in accordance with the instructions given in Aviointeriors Service Bulletin (SB) 12M/F68-06.

2.    No person shall install Aviointeriors passenger seat assembly P/N 12M( )( )-( )
( )( )( )( )( ) with backrests having P/N 313033000000 or 313033100000 (being either unmarked or marked with “O“ as per Aviointeriors SB 12M/F68-01 Revision 1) on any aircraft.

3.    If the seat backrests cannot be replaced within the required compliance time, the aircraft may be dispatched with the affected seat installed provided:

a.     Seat is placarded as “Do not occupy” and measures are taken ensure that the affected seat remains unoccupied during the flight; and

b.    The affected seat does not block any emergency exit; and

c.     The affected seat does not restrict any passenger gaining access to the main aisle.

Note:  EASA AD 2008-0135 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Before the accumulation of 13 000 total flight cycles (FC) since the seat’s first installation on an aircraft, but no later than 31 January 2009, whichever occurs first.  If, at the effective date of this AD, seats have already exceeded the FC threshold mentioned above, perform the backrest replacement within 500 FC after the effective date of this AD, but no later 31 January 2009, whichever occurs first.

2.    Subsequent to the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.

3.    Subsequent to the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.

This Amendment becomes effective on 28 August 2008.

Background:

Failure of seat backrest recline actuator metal fittings having tool marks have been reported on in-service aircraft.  The actions specified by this Airworthiness Directive (AD) are intended to prevent further failures of the seat backrests which could result in injury to passengers or crew members during an emergency landing.

Since the issuance of the original issue of this Airworthiness Directive, Aviointeriors has identified a life limitation for backrests that do not have tool marks.  Consequently, this Airworthiness Directive mandates the replacement of those backrests before reaching the specified threshold.

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective 15 February 2007.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

17 July 2008