AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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/19 SICMA Passenger Seats (16g) - Backrest Links
Inspection and Replacement
3/2002
Applicability: All SICMA AERO SEAT passenger seats of series 9140, 9166, 9173, 9174, 9184,
9188, 9196, 91B7, 91B8, 91C0, 91C2, 91C3, 91C4, 91C5, 9301, 9501, equipped with
backrest links P/N 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2.
Note: A detailed list of affected seat P/N’s is given in SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 90-25-012, Revision 3, Annex 1.
Requirement: 1. Carry out a visual inspection of the backrest links and take corrective action in accordance with Part 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 90-25-012 Revision 3.
2. Repeat visual inspection as per requirement 1.
3. Replace backrest links P/N 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2 in accordance with Part 2 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 90-25-012 Revision 3.
Note: DGAC AD 2001-605(AB) refers.
Compliance: 1. Before 6,000 hours time in service or two years from seat manufacture date or before 6,000 hours time in service or two years since last backrest link installation, or within 900 hours time in service or before five month from the effective date of this AD whichever is the later.
2. Every 900 hours time in service or every five months whichever is the later after 12000 hours time in service or more than four years from the seat manufacturing date, without exceeding 3,500 hours or 18 months after the effective date of this AD, until replacement of the backrest links in accordance with requirement 3.
3. For installed seats: Before 12,000 hours time in service or since last backrest link installation, or before four years from seat manufacturing date or from last backrest link installation, or within the next 3,500 hours in service or before eighteen months from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
For uninstalled seats: Before installation of seats having more than 12,000 hours time in service or more than four years since seat manufacturing date, or more than 12,000 hours time in service or more than four years since last backrest link installation, whichever occurs later.
Seats and Berths
AD/SEATS/19 (continued)
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 March 2002.
Background: Cracks have been found in the backrest links which can significantly reduce the structural integrity of seat backrests.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 February 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 February 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) SICMA Passenger Seats (16g) - Backrest Links Inspection and Replacement 3/2002 under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. This legislation was enacted to address the issue of cracks in the backrest links of specific SICMA AERO SEAT passenger seats, which could compromise the structural integrity of the seat backrests. The AD mandates visual inspections and corrective actions to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft seats, thereby enhancing aviation safety. The directive became effective on 21 March 2002, with the aim of mitigating the risk posed by the identified unsafe condition in the specified seat models.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to SICMA AERO SEAT passenger seats of certain series equipped with specific backrest links. These seats are used in aircraft operations within the Australian jurisdiction. The AD mandates a series of inspections and corrective actions to ensure the airworthiness of the affected seats, aiming to address cracks found in the backrest links that could compromise the structural integrity of the seat backrests. The directive applies to both installed and uninstalled seats, with specific timelines for inspections and replacements based on the seat's operational hours or its age since manufacture or last backrest link installation. This AD does not specify any exclusions but sets out clear requirements and compliance timelines, with further instructions detailed in the referenced SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin. The AD is enforceable under Australian law and extends its reach to any aircraft or aeronautical products within the Australian airspace.
Key Provisions
The main sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) are the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The applicability section (paragraph 1) specifies that the AD applies to all SICMA AERO SEAT passenger seats of certain series that are equipped with specific backrest links. The requirement section (paragraph 2) mandates that a visual inspection of the backrest links must be conducted, followed by corrective actions in line with Part 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 90-25-012 Revision 3. Additionally, it specifies the need for a repeat inspection and the replacement of backrest links P/N 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2 according to Part 2 of the same bulletin. The compliance section (paragraph 3) sets out the specific timeframes within which the actions must be taken.
This Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Primarily, it mandates that aircraft operators and owners ensure that all affected SICMA AERO SEAT passenger seats undergo the specified inspections and corrective actions. Operators must perform these inspections and actions within the timelines provided, and ensure that any identified issues are addressed promptly to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Furthermore, operators must keep records of the inspections and any actions taken to comply with the AD, as these records may be required for audits or investigations.
Breach of this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. The AD is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), and non-compliance with the AD can be considered a breach of those regulations. This can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including the imposition of fines and other penalties. The severity of the penalties depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but in serious cases, CASA can take measures such as grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved, or even pursuing criminal charges which could result in substantial fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties for breaching aviation regulations are outlined in the CAR 1998, where maximum fines and imprisonment terms are stipulated for non-compliance with airworthiness directives.