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/22 Sicma Aero Seat Passenger Seats 12/2002
DM
Applicability: Sicma Aero Seat 9801 and 9802 Series passenger seats listed in Paragraph A of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin (SB) 98-25-014 Issue 1 dated 1 October 2001.
Note 1: These seats are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Airbus Industrie A330 and A340 series aeroplanes.
Requirement: 1. Perform a visual inspection of electrical wires in the vicinity of the swivel part of the foldable central armrest of the affected seats on which Sicma Aero Seat SB 98-25-008 dated 4 February 2000, or SB 98-25-009 dated 22 February 2000, or SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 has not been embodied.
2. If any damaged electrical wire is found during the Requirement 1 inspection, either replace the wire or deactivate the seat ‘in flight entertainment’ (IFE) system.
3. Accomplish the following:
- For seats without SB 98-25-009 embodied - Incorporate Part 1 of SB 98- 25-014 Issue 1.
- For seats with SB 98-25-009 embodied - Incorporate Part 2 of SB 98-25- 014 Issue 1.
4. Record, on the seat modification record placard, the incorporation of SB 98-25- 14 Issue 1 by following the instructions at Paragraph C of “Accomplishment Instructions” of the SB.
Note 2: DGAC AD 2002-505(AB) refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within seven days after the effective date of this Directive and thereafter at intervals of seven days.
Incorporation of either SB 98-25-008, or SB 98-25-009, or SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 is terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight after the Requirement 1 inspection.
Seats and Berths
AD/SEATS/22 (continued)
For Requirement 3 - Before 31 December 2004.
For Requirement 4 - When SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 is incorporated. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 October 2002.
Background: The French Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile (DGAC) has advised that poor routing of electrical wiring in the foldable central armrest of the seats has resulted in damage to some of the wiring which could lead to an electrical short circuit and subsequent fire.
This Directive requires repetitive inspections to detect damage until terminating repair is accomplished. The Directive also allows optional repairs to be accomplished before the terminating action is finally required.
This Directive supersedes AD/SEATS/15, which is cancelled.
Barry James Reid McKay
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 10 October 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 October 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued Airworthiness Directive Seats and Berths AD/SEATS/22 on 10 October 2002, addressing an identified safety risk in certain passenger seats installed in Airbus Industrie A330 and A340 series aeroplanes. The directive was enacted to correct an unsafe condition caused by poor routing of electrical wiring in the foldable central armrest of affected seats, which had resulted in damage and the potential for an electrical short circuit and fire. This Airworthiness Directive was issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and became effective on 16 October 2002. The primary policy objective of this AD is to mandate repetitive inspections and specific repairs to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, thereby mitigating the risk of electrical fires due to damaged wiring.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to the Sicma Aero Seat 9801 and 9802 Series passenger seats, as detailed in Paragraph A of the Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin (SB) 98-25-014 Issue 1 dated 1 October 2002. These seats are known to be installed in, but are not limited to, Airbus Industrie A330 and A340 series aeroplanes. The AD mandates that certain actions be undertaken to address the identified safety concern regarding the electrical wiring in the vicinity of the swivel part of the foldable central armrest of the affected seats. This includes performing visual inspections, replacing or deactivating certain systems, and incorporating specified service bulletins, with detailed instructions and timelines provided for each requirement. The directive is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, with its enforcement overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and its delegate, Barry James Reid McKay. The AD becomes effective on 16 October 2002, and it supersedes a previous directive, AD/SEATS/15, which is consequently cancelled.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies specifically to the Sicma Aero Seat 9801 and 9802 Series passenger seats (section 1). This AD is pertinent to seats installed in Airbus Industrie A330 and A340 series aeroplanes, although it is not limited to these aircraft. The directive requires certain actions to be taken to ensure the safety of these seats (section 2). The key requirements include a visual inspection of electrical wires in the vicinity of the swivel part of the foldable central armrest of the seats (section 2(1)). If any damaged electrical wires are found, they must either be replaced or the in-flight entertainment system must be deactivated (section 2(2)). Furthermore, the directive mandates the incorporation of specific parts from the Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin (SB) 98-25-014 Issue 1, depending on whether the seats have already incorporated SB 98-25-009 (section 2(3)). The incorporation of these service bulletins should be recorded on the seat modification record placard (section 2(4)).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, such as operators and maintenance providers, to ensure compliance with the requirements set out. Operators and maintenance providers must conduct the visual inspection of the electrical wires within seven days of the AD's effective date and continue this inspection at intervals of seven days until the terminating action is completed (section 3(1)). If damaged wires are found, they must either be replaced or the in-flight entertainment system deactivated before any further flights (section 3(2)). The incorporation of SB 98-25-008, SB 98-25-009, or SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 serves as terminating action for these repetitive inspections (section 3(1)). Additionally, the incorporation of either SB 98-25-008, SB 98-25-009, or SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 must be completed by 31 December 2004 (section 3(3)). The recording of the incorporation of SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 must be done on the seat modification record placard following the instructions provided (section 3(4)).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, violations of CAR 1998 or associated regulations can lead to substantial penalties. Civil penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include fines and other monetary penalties. In more severe cases, criminal penalties may apply, including imprisonment, especially if non-compliance results in significant safety hazards or accidents. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting harm or safety risks.