AD/B737/69 - Transaero Single Flight Attendant Seat Pan

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, addresses the regulation of civil aviation safety through various airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/B737/69, targets Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, specifically those with Transaero single flight attendant seats identified in Transaero SB 192 Revision C. This directive was enacted to address the problem of damaged seat pans in certain Boeing 737 models, which were reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating inspections, repairs, and modifications to the affected seat pans to prevent further damage and ensure safety. Compliance with these directives is required by specific deadlines to maintain the safety standards mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive requires operators to inspect and, if necessary, repair or replace the affected seat pans to mitigate safety risks. Modifications to all single flight attendant seat pans must be completed to terminate further inspections. This legislative instrument aims to safeguard the integrity of the aircraft and protect passengers and crew by addressing the identified issues with the seat pans. The requirement to comply with these directives ensures that the identified safety concerns are effectively managed, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation operations in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes and addresses the issue of single flight attendant seat pans identified as Transaero P/N 91465 series. This legislation applies to Model 737-300, 737-400, and 737-500 series aircraft equipped with these specific seats, as referenced in Transaero SB 192 Revision C. The scope includes mandatory inspections and modifications to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in compliance with CASA regulations. Compliance with these directives is crucial for operators of the specified Boeing 737 models, as failure to adhere to the outlined requirements can lead to non-compliance with safety standards. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, applying to all operators within Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to air safety across the country. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the scope of this legislation, and it extends its application through the subordinate instrument Transaero SB 192 Revision C.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) directive require inspection and modification of specific Boeing 737 series aircraft seat pans. Section (a) mandates inspecting the front edge of single flight attendant seats for abnormal flexibility, as outlined in Transaero SB 192 Revision C. If damage is detected, the directive requires either installing a placard to prohibit seat occupation or replacing the damaged seat pan with a serviceable one of the same part number, followed by re-inspection (sections (c)(i) and (c)(ii)). Additionally, section (2) requires modifying all single flight attendant seat pans according to Transaero SB 192 Revision C. Compliance with this modification requirement terminates the need for the inspections specified in section (1). The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this directive include ensuring that inspections are conducted as specified in section (1)(a) and that any damage detected is addressed according to the requirements in sections (c)(i) and (c)(ii). Furthermore, all affected seat pans must be modified as outlined in section (2). The directive requires these actions to be completed in accordance with the specified timelines: inspections must be carried out prior to 17 November 1992 and at intervals not exceeding 375 hours of flight time; modifications must be completed before 17 March 1994. Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive may result in legal consequences. Specifically, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority may take enforcement action against any party found to be in breach of these provisions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this directive, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to significant financial penalties, enforcement actions, and potential grounding of aircraft. The severity of penalties may depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they can include fines and other administrative sanctions.