The bulletin
Text extracted from the PDF.
SPECIAL
AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION
BULLETIN Aircraft Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration No. SW-03-04 October 18, 2002 We post SAIBs on the internet at "av-info.faa.gov" This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.
Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs you, a registered owner or operator, of an aircraft with certain Weber Aircraft, Inc. Model 5500 seats installed of the potential that the plastic seat back shroud may become partially detached allowing easy access to the cavity behind.
These seats are approved to Technical Standard Order C127 and generally installed on large, transport category airplanes. The FAA has received one report from a foreign authority detailing several instances of this situation occurring. Access to this cavity has the potential to affect the flammability properties of the seat assembly, as well as being a possible security risk.
Background In September 2002, the FAA received a letter from the Irish Aviation Authority notifying us of the potential for the seat back shroud assembly attachment of the part number 851314-xxx seats to be inadequate. Passengers have used this exposed cavity to store rubbish, but the possibility exists for the storage of other objects. In light of the heightened state of aircraft security, this exposed cavity is of concern to us.
The FAA has determined that this condition could exist on other Model 5500 seats having seat back shroud assembly part number 849859-xxx.
The FAA is considering AD action to mandate a modification to the seat back shroud assembly.
Recommendation If your Model 5500 seat contains seat back shroud assembly part number 849859-xxx, the FAA recommends that you incorporate Weber Aircraft Service Bulletin 854376-25-2068, Revision 2, September 27, 2002. This modification either replaces the Velcro tape with screws or installs an improved shroud. Failure to do so could jeopardize the flammability and security aspects of the seat assembly. To obtain a copy of the service information, please contact Don Westbrook, Weber Aircraft, at (940) 668-4117.
For Further Information Contact Rob Romero, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Ft. Worth ACO, 2601 Meacham Blvd, ASW-150, Ft. Worth, TX 76193, telephone: (817) 222-5102, fax: (817) 222-5960, e-mail: robert.a.romero@faa.gov