The bulletin
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FAA Aviation Safety
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION BULLETIN SUBJ: Equipment/Furnishings SAIB: NM-17-24 Date: August 28, 2017 This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is to advise owners and operators, and the original equipment manufacturers of certain Transport Category Airplanes having HAECO Cabin Solutions seats and seating systems of the potential for failure of the weld in the seat back frame.
At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.
Background
The FAA has received numerous reports of cracking found from the seat back frame to the cross tube weld of the seating system. This cracking can propagate to a full weld failure. While the risk of injuries is low, the weld failure, if not corrected, could impact compliance with certain passenger safety regulations.
HAECO Cabin Solutions has issued the following service information, which provides procedures for inspecting the seats and seating systems annually, and replacing the seat back frame if any crack is found.
• HAECO Cabin Solutions Service Bulletin SB 25-20-72-001, Revision E, dated May 8, 2017.
• HAECO Cabin Solutions Service Bulletin SB 25-20-95-001, Revision IR, dated March 9, 2017.
• HAECO Cabin Solutions Service Bulletin SB 25-21-21-001, Revision IR, dated March 9, 2017.
• HAECO Cabin Solutions Service Bulletin SB 25-21-39-001, Revision IR, dated March 9, 2017.
• HAECO Cabin Solutions Service Bulletin SB 25-21-44-002, Revision D, dated May 12, 2017.
• HAECO Cabin Solutions Service Bulletin SB 25-21-60-001, Revision IR, dated March 9, 2017
• HAECO Cabin Solutions Service Bulletin SB 25-21-81-001, Revision IR, dated March 9, 2017.
Recommendations
For Transport Category Airplanes having HAECO Cabin Solutions seats and seating systems installed, including but not limited to the following airplanes: Airbus Model A330-300, and Boeing Model 777F; the FAA recommends incorporating the applicable accomplishment instructions and procedures outlined in the above service information at the earliest opportunity to address cracking of the seat back frames.
2 For Further Information Contact
Patrick Farina, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; telephone 562-627-5344; fax 562-627-5210; email patrick.farina@faa.gov.
For Related Service Information Contact
HAECO Cabin Solutions, 5568 Gumtree Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107-9583; telephone 336-464-1600; email care-hcs@haeco.aero.