SDR 99ZZZX419

Service difficulty report · Pan · Airbus A320232

Difficulty date
December 30, 1998
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N406UA
Make and model
Airbus A320232
Aircraft serial
454
Part
Pan
Part number
3410
Condition
Cracked
Location
Passenger Seat
Stage of operation
IN
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

DURING THE FIRST HEAVY MAINTENANCE VISIT (HMU-1) VIRTUALLY 100 PERCENT OF THE COACH SEATS IN THE PASSENGER CABIN WERE FOUND TO HAVE SEAT PANS THAT WERE CRACKED AT THE FORWARD ATTACHMENT HOLES FOR THE SEAT PANS. THESE ARE RECARO 720 SERIES SEATS INSTALLED IN A-320-232 AIRCRAFT. THE SEAT MFG DESIGNATES THE SEAT PAN AS PRIMARY STRUCTURE FOR THE SEAT. SUBMITTER STATED AN AD SHOULD BE ISSUED TO INSPECT THESE SEAT PANS FOR CRACKS EACH 90 DAYS AND FOR REMOVAL FROM SERVICE OF ANY PANS THAT ARE CRACKED. THESE PANS ARE BEING REPLACED WITH NEW SEAT PANS THAT HAVE SAME DESIGN FLAWS WHICH WILL CRACK IN SERVICE. THERE ARE 132 SEAT PANS ON THE ACFT. THIS IS THE 6TH A-320 TO SHOW 100 PERCENT FAILURE OF THESE SEAT PANS.

More about the Airbus A320-232