AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SEATS/18 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/18
Amdt 1
Avio Interiors - Series 312 Box Mounted Seats Attachment
4/2002
Applicability: All AvioInteriors model 312 series passenger seats with Part Numbers
312xx27-xxxxx or 312xx36-xxxxx. (The affected seats are known to be installed on, but not limited to Fokker F27-050 aircraft).
Requirement: 1. Inspect seat attachments P/N DM03313-1 and DM03314-1, and replace any cracked seat attachments in accordance with Avio Interiors SB 312/912-05 Rev 1 dated 24 August 2001.
2. Replace attachments P/N DM03313-1 and DM03314-1 with new items
Note: Italian ENAC AD 2001-479 refers.
Compliance: 1. Before 18 July 2002 and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 650 flying hours, or at each removal and installation of the seats. Cracked attachments must be replaced before further use of the seat.
2. Upon accumulation of 8000 hours time in service. This Amendment becomes effective on 18 April 2002.
Background: Multiple occurrences have been reported overseas in which cracks were found in the attachment brackets of box-mounted double seats. Failure of the attachment brackets could result in the seat canting forward during emergency landing causing injury to the occupants.
Amendment 1 is issued to require a specific replacement time.
Seats and Berths
AD/SEATS/18 Amdt 1 (continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 6 September 2001.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 March 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 March 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has enacted the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SEATS/18 Amendment 1 in 2002 to address the issue of cracks found in the attachment brackets of Avio Interiors model 312 series passenger seats, which can lead to potential hazards during emergency landings. This AD applies to all Avio Interiors model 312 series passenger seats with specific part numbers and is particularly relevant for seats installed on Fokker F27-050 aircraft. The directive requires inspections and replacements of cracked seat attachments and mandates adherence to specified intervals to ensure airworthiness and safety. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate risks associated with seat attachment failures and to ensure the ongoing safety of aircraft operations by enforcing timely maintenance and replacements. This AD is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998).
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998, applies specifically to all Avio Interiors model 312 series passenger seats with Part Numbers 312xx27-xxxxx or 312xx36-xxxxx, which are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Fokker F27-050 aircraft. The directive mandates specific actions to correct an unsafe condition identified in the attachment brackets of these box-mounted double seats. The requirement includes inspecting and replacing any cracked seat attachments P/N DM03313-1 and DM03314-1, following instructions from Avio Interiors SB 312/912-05 Rev 1 dated 24 August 2001, and replacing these attachments upon accumulation of 8000 hours in service. Compliance with this directive must occur before 18 July 2002 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 650 flying hours or each removal and installation of the seats. This Airworthiness Directive is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 March 2002, and the amendment becomes effective on 18 April 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SEATS/18 Amdt 1, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, mandates specific actions to be taken regarding the Avio Interiors model 312 series passenger seats with Part Numbers 312xx27-xxxxx or 312xx36-xxxxx, particularly those installed on Fokker F27-050 aircraft. The directive was enacted to address safety concerns following multiple reports of cracks in the attachment brackets of box-mounted double seats. Such cracks could lead to serious injury during emergency landings if the seats cant forward. The directive requires inspections and replacements of certain seat attachments as outlined in the requirement section of the AD.
The primary obligations imposed by AD/SEATS/18 Amdt 1 include conducting inspections of seat attachments P/N DM03313-1 and DM03314-1 and replacing any cracked attachments according to Avio Interiors Service Bulletin 312/912-05 Rev 1 dated 24 August 2001. These inspections must occur before 18 July 2002 and then at intervals not exceeding 650 flying hours or each time the seats are removed and reinstalled. Furthermore, the attachments must be replaced upon the seats accumulating 8000 hours of service. These actions are intended to mitigate the risk of injury due to seat attachment failures. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory for maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/SEATS/18 Amdt 1 could result in serious consequences. The safety risks associated with non-compliance are significant, as highlighted by the potential for injury during emergency landings. While the AD does not explicitly state specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, the overarching regulations under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide for potential enforcement actions. Non-compliance could lead to enforcement measures by CASA, which may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory actions. These consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.