AD 2011-21-08

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 23, 2011.

(b) None.

(c) This AD applies to Sicma Aero Seat 88xx, 89xx, 90xx, 91xx, 92xx, 93xx, 95xx, and 96xx series passenger seat assemblies identified in Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004, of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, that have backrest links having part numbers (P/Ns) 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2; and that are installed on, but not limited to, the airplanes identified in table 1 of this AD, certificated in any category. This AD does not apply to Sicma Aero Seat series 9140, 9166, 9173, 9174, 9184, 9188, 9196, 91B7, 91B8, 91C0, 91C2, 91C4, 91C5, 9301, and 9501 passenger seat assemblies.

Note 1:

This AD applies to Sicma Aero Seat passenger seat assemblies as installed on any airplane, regardless of whether the airplane has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25: Equipment/Furnishings.

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Cracks have been found on seats [with] backrest links P/N (part number) 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2. These cracks can significantly affect the structural integrity of seat backrests.

Failure of the backrest links could result in injury to an occupant during emergency landing conditions. The required actions include a general visual inspection for cracking of the backrest links; replacement with new, improved links if cracking is found; and eventual replacement of all links with new, improved links.

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) At the later of the compliance times specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, do a general visual inspection of the backrest links having P/Ns 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2, in accordance with Part One of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004:

(i) Before 6,000 flight hours on the backrest link since new.

(ii) Within 900 flight hours or 5 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, cracking is found between the side of the backrest link and the lock-out pin hole but the cracking does not pass this lock-out pin hole (refer to Figure 2 of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004): Within 600 flight hours or 3 months after doing the inspection, whichever occurs first, replace both backrest links of the affected seat with new, improved backrest links having P/Ns 90-100200-104-1 and 90-100200-104-2, in accordance with Part Two of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004.

(3) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, cracking is found that passes beyond the lock-out pin hole (refer to Figure 2 of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004): Before further flight, replace both backrest links of the affected seat with new, improved backrest links having P/Ns 90-100200-104-1 and 90-100200-104-2, in accordance with Part Two of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004.

(4) If no cracking is found during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD: Do the replacement required by paragraph (f)(5) of this AD at the compliance time specified in paragraph (f)(5) of this AD.

(5) At the later of the compliance times specified in paragraphs (f)(5)(i) and (f)(5)(ii) of this AD, replace the links, P/Ns 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2, with new improved links, P/Ns 90-100200-104-1 and 90-100200-104-2, in accordance with Part Two of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004. Doing this replacement for an affected passenger seat assembly terminates the inspection requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD for that passenger seat assembly.

(i) Before 12,000 flight hours on the backrest links, P/Ns 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2, since new.

(ii) Within 900 flight hours or 5 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(6) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 3, dated December 19, 2001, including Annex 1, Issue 1, dated June 26, 2001, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions of this AD.

Note 2:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: The MCAI specifies doing repetitive inspections for cracking of links having over 12,000 flight hours since new until the replacement of the link is done. This AD does not include those repetitive inspections because we have reduced the compliance time for replacing those links. This AD requires replacing the link before 12,000 flight hours since new or within 900 flight hours or 5 months of the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the ACO, send it to ATTN: Jeffrey Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803; telephone (781) 238-7161; fax (781) 238-7170. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(h) Refer to MCAI French Airworthiness Directive 2001-613(AB), dated December 12, 2001; and Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004; for related information.

(i) You must use Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Issue 4, dated March 19, 2004, including Annex 1, Issue 2, dated March 19, 2004, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Sicma Aero Seat, 7 Rue Lucien Coupet, 36100 ISSOUDUN, France, telephone: +33 (0) 2 54 03 39 39; fax: +33 (0) 2 54 03 39 00; e-mail: customerservices.sas@zodiacaerospace.com; Internet: http://www.sicma.zodiacaerospace.com/en/.

(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

(4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.