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/23 SICMA Passenger Seat Central Spreaders 3/2003
Applicability: All SICMA AERO SEAT seats types 90XX and 92XX with seat part numbers listed in Annex 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin (SB) 92-25-005, all serial numbers, right side only.
Note: These seats can be found on but not limited to ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Visually inspect the central spreaders, P/N 92-000100-200-1 or P/N 92-000101- 200-1 of applicable seats in accordance with Part One of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin (SB) 92-25-005.
2. If a Type 1 crack exists, provided the crack has not developed beyond the Type 1 criteria, install doublers P/N 00-6536 in accordance with Part Two of SB 92-25- 005.
3. If a crack of Type 2 or Type 3 is found, replace the affected central spreader by a new one of the same part number, equipped with doubler P/N 00-6536. If a new spreader is unavailable, a temporary repair may be performed by installing doublers P/N 00-6536.
4. Install doublers P/N 00-6536 on all central spreaders in accordance with Part Two of SB 92-25-005.
Note: Definitions of Type 1, 2 and 3 cracks are given in Part One of SB 92-25-005.
Compliance: 1. Before 500 flight hours after the 20 March 2003 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 flight hours until Requirement 4 is accomplished.
2. Before a further 6 months or 500 flight hours, whichever occurs first.
3. Before further flight. The temporary repair referred to in Requirement 3 is limited to 500 flight hours or 6 months, whichever occurs first.
4. Before 31 January 2006.
Note: DGAC AD 2002-504(AB) dated 2 October 2002 refers.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 March 2003.
Seats and Berths
AD/SEATS/23 (Continued)
Background: Cracks have been found in central spreaders which may affect the structural integrity of the seat.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 January 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) addresses a critical safety concern identified in SICMA AERO SEAT seats installed in ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. This directive, published in 2003, aims to mitigate the risk posed by cracks in the central spreaders of specific SICMA AERO SEAT models. The AD mandates a series of inspections and corrective actions to ensure the structural integrity of these seats, with the overarching goal of maintaining the highest safety standards in air travel. Compliance with this directive is enforced by the CASA, ensuring that the safety measures are adhered to across the specified aircraft models to prevent potential hazards.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies to specific SICMA AERO SEAT seat types, namely those with part numbers 90XX and 92XX listed in Annex 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 92-25-005. This AD is specifically concerned with the right side central spreaders of these seats, which are used in aircraft such as the ATR 42 and ATR 72. The directive mandates that the seats must be visually inspected to check for cracks, with specific actions required depending on the type of crack identified. If a Type 1 crack is found but has not developed beyond certain criteria, doublers must be installed. For Type 2 or Type 3 cracks, the affected central spreader must be replaced, or a temporary repair involving doublers must be performed. All central spreaders must eventually be fitted with doublers. The compliance timeframes for these inspections and repairs are stringent, with specific deadlines set for different actions, culminating in a final compliance date of 31 January 2006. This AD is applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by CASA, with the directive becoming effective from 20 March 2003.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) specifies requirements for the maintenance and inspection of SICMA AERO SEAT seats types 90XX and 92XX with certain seat part numbers, found on aircraft such as the ATR 42 and ATR 72. According to section (a) of the AD, the requirement is to visually inspect the central spreaders, P/N 92-000100-200-1 or P/N 92-000101-200-1 of the applicable seats in accordance with Part One of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin (SB) 92-25-005. If a Type 1 crack exists, provided the crack has not developed beyond the Type 1 criteria, doublers P/N 00-6536 must be installed in accordance with Part Two of SB 92-25-005. If a crack of Type 2 or Type 3 is found, the affected central spreader must be replaced by a new one of the same part number, equipped with doubler P/N 00-6536. If a new spreader is unavailable, a temporary repair may be performed by installing doublers P/N 00-6536. Additionally, doublers P/N 00-6536 must be installed on all central spreaders in accordance with Part Two of SB 92-25-005.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs. The AD requires that the specified inspections and actions be taken on the applicable seats. It mandates that any Type 1 cracks must be addressed by installing doublers P/N 00-6536, while Type 2 or Type 3 cracks must result in the replacement of the affected central spreader. In cases where a new spreader is not available, a temporary repair must be performed using doublers P/N 00-6536. These requirements must be carried out in accordance with the instructions set out in the AD and within the specified timeframes.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in serious consequences. While the AD does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach, non-compliance with airworthiness directives issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may include penalties such as fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and legal action against the operators or individuals responsible for the non-compliance. The severity of the penalties will depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resulting safety risks or hazards.