{"id":"F2006B01856","name":"AD/A320/107 - Third Occupant Seat","slug":"ad-a320-107-third-occupant-seat","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41052,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B01856-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\n![](image.002.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/A320/107 Third Occupant Seat 3/2000","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/A320/107 Third Occupant Seat 3/2000","content":"# AD/A320/107 Third Occupant Seat 3/2000\n\nApplicability: All Model A319, A320, and A321 aircraft which have the SICMA Aero Seat 133 series third occupant seats with the following part numbers and serial numbers.\n\n1330622-070, from S/N 1 to S/N 212\n\n1330622-070-1, from S/N 1 to S/N 212\n\n1330622-070-2, from S/N 1 to S/N 6\n\n1330622-100-…, from S/N 1 to S/N 13\n\n1330622V100-1, from S/N 1 to S/N 16\n\nRequirement: Inspect in accordance with SICMA Aero Seat Service Bulletin 133-25-006.\n\nNote: DGAC AD 2000-042(AB) refers.\n\nCompliance: Before 31 December 2000.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 23 March 2000.\n\nBackground: Absence of one of the two headrest bushings installation may lead to disengagement of the headrest from the seat assembly under high energy braking. The seats in question were manufactured prior to 1 December 1990.\n\n![](image.003.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 15 February 2000\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 February 2000.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD is narrowly focused on a specific unsafe condition (possible missing headrest bushing) affecting defined seat part numbers and serial ranges. It does not expand beyond that safety remediation purpose, nor introduce new regulatory domains or ongoing obligations. The measure stays within the original intent of correcting the identified hardware defect."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single‑issue AD with one clear action (inspect) and one compliance deadline","Applicability defined by five part‑number/serial‑number ranges (moderate specificity but straightforward)","Reference to one external technical document (SICMA Service Bulletin 133‑25‑006)","Cross‑reference to another authority’s AD (DGAC AD 2000‑042(AB)) but no layered conditional requirements","No nested exceptions, no recurring monitoring or reporting requirements, no alternative methods of compliance stated"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) requiring a one-off inspection of a specific third‑occupant (middle) seat design installed on certain Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. (See \"Applicability\".)\n- The inspection must be done in accordance with the SICMA Aero Seat Service Bulletin 133-25-006 (the manufacturer’s inspection instructions). (See \"Requirement\".)\n- The inspection had to be completed by 31 December 2000, and the AD took effect on 23 March 2000. (See \"Compliance\" and \"This AD becomes effective\".)\n\n**Who it affects**\n\n- Aircraft operators, owners and maintenance organisations that operate Model A319, A320 or A321 aeroplanes fitted with SICMA Aero Seat 133 series third occupant seats bearing the listed part numbers and serial number ranges (the AD lists five part-number/serial-number ranges). (See \"Applicability\".)\n\n**Why it was issued (briefly)**\n\n- The stated safety issue is that one of two headrest bushings may be missing on the affected seats, which could allow the headrest to disengage from the seat assembly during high‑energy braking. The seats were manufactured before 1 December 1990. (See \"Background\".)\n\n**What operators must do (practical effect)**\n\n- Identify whether any affected seats (by part number and serial number) are installed on their aircraft. (Applicability.)\n- If affected seats are installed, arrange and carry out the inspection exactly as described in SICMA Service Bulletin 133-25-006. (Requirement.)\n- Complete that inspection by the compliance date (31 December 2000). If the inspection uncovers missing parts or defects, state practice is to follow the service bulletin for corrective action; the AD requires compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions. (Requirement + Compliance.)\n\n**Who pays and who decides**\n\n- Aircraft operators and their maintenance providers bear the direct costs (labour, possible replacement parts, aircraft downtime). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate issued the AD and sets the mandatory requirement and compliance date. The manufacturer’s service bulletin supplies the technical procedure to be followed. (See the signature block and Requirement.)\n\n**Incentives, trade-offs and implementation risks**\n\n- Incentives: Operators are incentivised to comply to retain airworthiness certification for affected aeroplanes and to avoid safety risk. Maintenance organisations are incentivised to follow the manufacturer procedure to ensure conformity and avoid rework.\n- Costs and trade-offs: The inspection imposes a one-off compliance cost (identifying serial numbers, performing inspections, possible parts replacement and downtime). If inspections find defects, corrective work may ground seats or aircraft temporarily. There is no routine recurring cost specified beyond the inspection and any follow-up work required.\n- Implementation risks: Timely identification of affected seats depends on accurate seat records and access to serial numbers. Availability of spare bushings (if replacements are needed) could affect how long corrective action takes. The AD refers to the manufacturer service bulletin; if the bulletin is unclear or if spare parts are scarce, operators may need technical coordination with the manufacturer or CASA for rectification instructions.\n\n**Administrative/legal framing**\n\n- The AD is directive: compliance is mandatory for affected Australian‑registered aircraft. The AD invokes the manufacturer’s service bulletin as the technical means of compliance. The document also notes a related French AD (DGAC AD 2000‑042(AB)), indicating coordination with the Type Certificate Authority and manufacturer guidance.\n\n**Key sections to look at in the AD**\n\n- Applicability (which part numbers and serial number ranges are covered);\n- Requirement (inspect in accordance with SICMA Service Bulletin 133‑25‑006);\n- Compliance (deadline: before 31 December 2000);\n- Background (reason: possible missing headrest bushing; seats made before 1 Dec 1990).\n\n**Net effect**\n\n- The AD creates a targeted, time‑limited inspection mandate for a discrete set of seat parts on specific Airbus types. It transfers inspection and corrective‑action costs to operators/maintenance organisations and relies on the manufacturer’s service bulletin as the technical standard for compliance."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow airworthiness directive targeting a specific manufacturing defect in specific seat models. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical defect addressed","Limited applicability: only 5 specific part number ranges with defined serial number ranges","One clear compliance action (inspect per manufacturer bulletin)","Single deadline (before 31 December 2000)","No nested conditions, exceptions, or cross-references to other legislation beyond a reference to a French aviation authority directive (DGAC AD 2000-042(AB)) for context","No defined terms section","Total length: approximately 300 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order for specific airplane seats**. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has identified a dangerous defect in certain third occupant seats (jump seats used by crew or observers) installed in Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft.\n\n**The problem:** Some SICMA Aero Seat 133 series seats, made before December 1990, might be missing a small part called a \"headrest bushing.\" If this part is missing, the headrest could break off during hard braking, potentially injuring the person sitting there.\n\n**Who must act:** Airlines or aircraft operators flying these specific Airbus models with the listed seat part numbers and serial numbers.\n\n**What they must do:** Inspect the seats following the manufacturer's official repair instructions (Service Bulletin 133-25-006).\n\n**When:** Before 31 December 2000.\n\n**Why it matters:** This prevents potential head injuries to crew members during emergency braking situations."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-a320-107-third-occupant-seat","history":"/api/acts/ad-a320-107-third-occupant-seat/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-a320-107-third-occupant-seat/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-a320-107-third-occupant-seat/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-a320-107-third-occupant-seat/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-a320-107-third-occupant-seat/documents"}}