AD/SEATS/6 - Aviatech Flight Crew Seats

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended in 2006 through the instrument F2006B06934, address the safety concerns associated with the wear and fraying of pilot and co-pilot shoulder harnesses on Aviatech Inc. flight crew seats used in de Havilland DHC-8 aircraft. This legislation was enacted to ensure the airworthiness of these seats by enforcing compliance with Transport Canada’s Airworthiness Directive (AD) CF-91-04. The problem it was introduced to address is the excessive wear and fraying of shoulder harnesses caused by rubbing against the seat-back guides, which could compromise safety during flight. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, implemented these regulations to uphold stringent safety standards and mitigate potential risks associated with the identified issue. The overarching policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by ensuring all aircraft components meet the necessary airworthiness directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 107, applies to specific Aviatech Inc. pilot and co-pilot seats (Model 394, P/N's 394-(000)-01 to -06 and 394-(001)-01 to -06) approved by Transport Canada under TSO Design Approval C39A and used on de Havilland DHC-8 aircraft. This legislation mandates that these seats comply with the requirements of Transport Canada AD CF-91-04, necessitating action to prevent excessive wear and fraying of the shoulder harness caused by rubbing against the seat-back guides. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is required for all such seats prior to 1 September 1991, with a one-month extension due to the receipt date of the Canadian Directive. This regulation is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and does not exclude any specific entities or industries from its reach. The application of this Act may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 107, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) regarding Aviatech flight crew seats (AD/SEATS/6). This directive applies to Aviatech Inc. pilot and co-pilot seats model 394, which have specific part numbers and are approved by Transport Canada for use on de Havilland DHC-8 aircraft. The directive mandates that these seats must be modified in accordance with the requirements outlined in Transport Canada AD CF-91-04. It is noted that compliance with these requirements must be achieved prior to 1 September 1991, although Transport Canada extended the compliance date by one month due to the receipt date of their directive. The AD imposes several obligations on the parties involved. Firstly, it is the responsibility of the aircraft operators to ensure that all affected Aviatech Inc. pilot and co-pilot seats are inspected and, if necessary, modified to comply with the requirements set out in Transport Canada AD CF-91-04. This includes reviewing the seat-back guides and shoulder harness to prevent excessive wear and fraying caused by rubbing. Secondly, any modifications must be carried out by authorised personnel and should reference Aviatech Service Bulletin 2, Revision A, which provides detailed guidance on the required modifications. Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety implications, given the critical role of flight crew seats in ensuring pilot safety. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not specify particular offences or penalties within this directive, but non-compliance could lead to actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include grounding the aircraft until the seats are brought into compliance, imposing fines, or other regulatory measures. The potential civil and criminal consequences for non-compliance can be significant, impacting both the safety of the flight crew and the overall airworthiness of the aircraft.