AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SEATS/17 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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/17
Amdt 2
SICMA Passenger Seats - Seat Belt Attachment 12/2002
Applicability: All SICMA AERO SEAT seats P/N 91xx, 93xx, 95xx, 96xx, 97xx, 98xx, 99xx, 9Axx, 9Bxx, 9Cxx listed in Annex 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin (SB) 91-25-045, all serial numbers which have not incorporated terminating action in accordance with SICMA AERO SEAT SB 91-25-032 or SB 91-25-045.
Note 1: Terminating action in accordance with the SB would be recorded on the change placard.
Note 2: These seats are known to be fitted to, but not limited to, Airbus Industrie, Boeing, Fokker and Bombardier aeroplanes.
Requirement: 1. If not already accomplished in accordance with SB 91-25-032 Part 1, check tighten the affected bolt onto the seat attachment by using a torque wrench as per instructions given in Part One of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 91-25- 045.
2. If terminating action in accordance with Part 2 of SB 91-25-032 has not been recorded on the seat, modify the seats and record this terminating action on the seat placard in accordance with instructions given in Part two of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 91-25-045.
Compliance: For Requirement 1: Within 650 flight hours after 28 November 2002 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 650 flight hours until modified in accordance with Requirement 2.
For Requireme nt 2: Before 31 December 2003.
This Amendment becomes effective on 28 November 2002.
Note: DGAC AD2002-471(AB) dated 18 September 2002 refers.
Background: The French Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC) has advised that the seat belt attachment bolts on several aisle and window side seats have become loose and fallen out due to overtorquing causing damage to the spacer.
Amendment 1 of this AD introduced more details of applicable seats and added identification to modified seats.
Seats and Berths
AD/SEATS/17 Amdt 2 (Continued)
Amendment 2 of this AD is raised to widen the applicability to ensure all seats have been modified. The technical content of the inspection and modification has not changed from the previous amendment.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 5 October 2000.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 April 2002.
Steven John Swift
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 October 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 November 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, through its delegate, Steven John Swift, has issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SEATS/17 Amdt 2 under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which aims to address safety concerns regarding the seat belt attachment bolts of SICMA AERO SEAT seats. This directive revokes the previous AD/SEATS/17 Amdt 1 and extends its scope to all SICMA AERO SEAT seats listed in Annex 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin (SB) 91-25-045, ensuring all serial numbers are modified unless terminating action has already been implemented in accordance with SB 91-25-032 or SB 91-25-045. This directive responds to the issue where seat belt attachment bolts on several aisle and window side seats have become loose and fallen out due to overtorquing, which has caused damage to the spacer. The directive requires the affected bolt to be checked and tightened using a torque wrench as per SB 91-25-045, and any seats that have not recorded terminating action to be modified in accordance with SB 91-25-045. The compliance timeline specifies that for Requirement 1, the action must be taken within 650 flight hours after 28 November 2002 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 650 flight hours until modified in accordance with Requirement 2, which must be completed before 31 December 2003.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/SEATS/17 Amdt 2 issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to specific SICMA AERO SEAT models, namely those with part numbers 91xx, 93xx, 95xx, 96xx, 97xx, 98xx, 99xx, 9Axx, 9Bxx, and 9Cxx, listed in Annex 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 91-25-045. These seats, which are known to be installed in Airbus, Boeing, Fokker, and Bombardier aeroplanes, must be modified if they have not already incorporated the terminating action as per SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletins 91-25-032 or 91-25-045. The directive applies nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia and mandates that the specified actions be carried out to ensure the airworthiness of the affected seats. Compliance with the directive involves checking and tightening the affected bolt using a torque wrench, as well as modifying the seats and recording this action on the seat placard if certain conditions are met. This AD revokes the previous Amendment 1 and is effective as of 28 November 2002, ensuring that all applicable seats are modified by 31 December 2003, with inspections to be carried out at intervals not exceeding 650 flight hours.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SEATS/17 Amdt 2 issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) focuses on specific SICMA AERO SEAT seats and their safety requirements. Section 1 of the AD specifies that it applies to all SICMA AERO SEAT seats with particular part numbers and serial numbers, which have not been modified according to certain service bulletins (SB). These seats are known to be installed in various aircraft models. Section 2 outlines the requirements for the seat modifications, including tightening bolts using a torque wrench and modifying the seats if certain conditions are met.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Firstly, it mandates that the affected seats must have their bolts tightened according to the instructions in SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 91-25-045 if this has not already been done in compliance with Service Bulletin 91-25-032. Secondly, if the seats have not been modified as per Service Bulletin 91-25-032, they must be modified and the action recorded on the seat placard as per Service Bulletin 91-25-045. The compliance period for these actions is specified in section 3 of the AD, with the first requirement needing to be completed within 650 flight hours after 28 November 2002 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 650 flight hours until the seats are modified. The second requirement must be completed before 31 December 2003.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal consequences. Although the AD does not explicitly state the penalties, non-compliance with ADs can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, including fines and potential imprisonment. The exact penalties can vary based on the severity of the non-compliance and the discretion of the court. Additionally, failure to adhere to ADs can result in aircraft being grounded, which can have significant operational and financial implications for the operators.