AD/B737/53 - Flight Attendant Seats

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form part of a comprehensive legislative framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in the country. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B02953, addresses the problem of compromised airworthiness related to certain Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes. This instrument, which pertains to the Boeing 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500 series equipped with specific Transaero seats, was introduced to mitigate risks associated with the reported issues of bent, fractured, or damaged seat bottoms. The policy objective behind this regulation is to mandate corrective actions that align with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives, ensuring that the affected aircraft meet the necessary safety standards and operational requirements. By adhering to the specified technical requirements and compliance timelines, the regulation aims to maintain the integrity and safety of the flight attendant seats, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/B737/53, applies to Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, namely the 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500 models, which are equipped with Transaero part number 91466 series double flight attendant seats. This regulation mandates compliance with the technical requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 90-26-05 Amendment 39-6832. The directive is aimed at addressing reported incidents of damage to the seat bottoms of certain double flight attendant seats, which were found to be due to incorrect manufacturing processes. The directive requires action to be taken in accordance with the specified requirement document, which was revised with an effective date of 21 March 1991. CASA’s jurisdiction over this matter extends nationally, ensuring that all operators within Australia adhere to these safety standards. Subordinate instruments or notices may further detail specific compliance procedures or additional requirements to enforce this directive effectively.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 – 105, specifically AD/B737/53, pertain to the airworthiness directives concerning Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, particularly the flight attendant seats. The regulation is applicable to Model 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500 series aeroplanes equipped with Transaero p/n 91466 series double flight attendant seats (Section 1). The requirement outlined in this directive mandates that operators must take action in accordance with the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 90-26-05 Amdt 39-6832, with a compliance date set for 21 March 1991 (Section 2). This action is necessary due to reported instances of bent, fractured, broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged seat bottoms caused by incorrect manufacture. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties or entities it governs are clear and direct. Operators of Boeing 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500 series aeroplanes must ensure that the flight attendant seats meet the specified technical requirements of FAA AD 90-26-05 Amdt 39-6832. This includes identifying the affected seats, which are Transaero p/n 91466 series double flight attendant seats, and taking appropriate corrective action to rectify any damage or defects. Operators are also required to ensure that any modifications or repairs comply with the requirement document and are completed by the revised effective date of 21 March 1991. Non-compliance with these directives could result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, thus posing a significant risk to safety. The legislation outlines specific consequences for breach of the airworthiness directives. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, failure to comply with the specified airworthiness directives can result in serious repercussions. The most immediate consequence is the potential grounding of the affected aeroplanes, rendering them incapable of flight until the required actions are completed and the compliance is verified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Furthermore, operators found in breach of these directives may face enforcement actions, which could include fines, sanctions, and other regulatory penalties. The severity of these penalties may vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they are designed to ensure stringent adherence to safety standards.