{"id":"F2006B03080","name":"AD/B747/178 Amdt 1 - Seat Track Alignment","slug":"ad-b747-178-amdt-1-seat-track-alignment","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":42439,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B03080-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/B747/178 Amdt 1 - Seat Track Alignment","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nBoeing 747 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/B747/178\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nSeat Track Alignment 6/98\n\nApplicability: Model 747 series aircraft equipped with non-powered IPECO pilot’s seats; and having line position numbers 1 through 1104.\n\nRequirement: Perform a one-time operational test of the pilot’s seats and the seat locks to determine that the lock pin of the seat track fully engages in all lock positions of the seat track, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3132, or Revision 1, dated 15 January 1998.\n\n    If the seat lock pin fully engages in all lock positions of the seat track, no further action is required.\n\n    b. If the seat lock pin does not fully engage in all positions of the seat track, re- align the seat tracks in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3132, or Revision 1, dated 15 January 1998.\n\nNote: FAA AD 98-03-10 Amdt 39-10302 refers.\n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished, before 21 August 1998\\. This amendment becomes effective on 21 May 1998.\n\nBackground: The FAA received reports indicating that a pilot’s seat slid from the forward position to the aft-most position during acceleration and take-off of the aircraft due to misalignment of the seat tracks. Such misalignment of the seat tracks, if not corrected, could result in uncommanded movement of the pilots’ crew seats, and consequent reduced controllability of the aircraft.\n\nAmendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which revises the applicability of the existing FAA AD.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 6 November 1997.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This is Amendment 1 to an existing Airworthiness Directive. The amendment explicitly revises the applicability (which aircraft are covered) in response to a new FAA AD. The scope has been adjusted to cover a different or expanded set of aircraft than the original November 1997 issue."},"complexity_factors":["Single, discrete safety requirement with clear binary outcome (pass/fail test)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (seat type and line position range)","Simple conditional structure: if pass, stop; if fail, repair","Single external reference (Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3132)","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing","Clear, fixed compliance deadline","Limited to specific aircraft model and configuration"],"plain_english_summary":"This FAA safety order required one-time inspections and correction of pilot seat tracks on early-production Boeing 747s fitted with non-powered IPECO pilot seats (line positions 1–1104). Airlines had to verify the seat lock engaged at every track position and realign track fittings if it did not. It was issued after a seat slid during takeoff, risking pilot control; the amendment expanding affected aircraft took effect 21 May 1998, with compliance by 21 August 1998."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. Amendment 1 responds to a new FAA AD that revises the applicability of the existing directive — the AD text states Amendment 1 was issued because the FAA AD revised applicability, so the set of aircraft/seats covered was changed from the original AD (original AD effective 6 November 1997; this amendment effective 21 May 1998)."},"complexity_factors":["Technical inspection of seat track alignment and lock pins requires qualified maintenance personnel and access to cockpit seating.","Procedures and acceptance criteria are prescribed by Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3132 (or Revision 1), so compliance depends on following manufacturer instructions.","Applicability is narrowly defined (Model 747 series with non-powered IPECO pilot seats; line positions 1–1104), requiring checks of fleet configuration records.","One-time mandatory compliance by a fixed deadline (before 21 August 1998) creates scheduling and operational-impact considerations.","Possible need for physical re-alignment work if defects are found — adds parts, labour, and aircraft downtime costs.","Regulatory linkage to FAA AD 98-03-10 and an amendment that revises applicability introduces an administrative traceability requirement."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes fitted with non-powered IPECO pilot seats (line positions 1–1104) to carry out a one-time operational test, following Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3132 (or Rev 1), to confirm the seat lock pin fully engages in every track position. If the pin does not engage, operators must re-align the seat tracks per the service bulletin. Operators pay inspection and any rectification costs; compliance is required by 21 August 1998."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-b747-178-amdt-1-seat-track-alignment","history":"/api/acts/ad-b747-178-amdt-1-seat-track-alignment/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-b747-178-amdt-1-seat-track-alignment/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-b747-178-amdt-1-seat-track-alignment/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-b747-178-amdt-1-seat-track-alignment/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-b747-178-amdt-1-seat-track-alignment/documents"}}