{"id":"F2006B06926","name":"AD/SEATS/20 - SICMA Passenger Seats (9g) - Backrest Link Inspection and Replacement","slug":"ad-seats-20-sicma-passenger-seats-9g-backrest-link-inspection-and-replacement","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114808,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06926-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SEATS/20 - SICMA Passenger Seats (9g) - Backrest Link Inspection and Replacement","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\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 aircraft or 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.\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nSeats and Berths\n\nAD/SEATS/20 SICMA Passenger Seats (9g) \\- Backrest Link\n\nInspection and Replacement\n\n  \n3/2002\n\nApplicability: All SICMA Aero SEAT passenger seats 88xx, 89xx, 90xx, 91xx, 92xx, 93xx, 95xx, 96xx series equipped with backrest links P/N 90-000200-104-1 and P/N 90-000200- 104-2. Passenger seats 9140, 9166, 9173, 9174, 9184, 9188, 9196, 91B7, 91B8,\n\n91C0, 91C2, 91C3, 91C4, 91C5, 9301, 9501 series are not applicable.\n\nThis AD is not applicable to seats identified by Amendment Z1 on the modification placard.\n\nNote: A detailed list of affected seat P/N’s is given in SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 90-25-013, Revision 2, Annex.\n\nRequirement: 1. Carry out a visual inspection of the backrest links and take corrective action in accordance with Part 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 90-25-013 Revision 2.\n\n    2. Repeat visual inspection as per requirement 1.\n\n    3. Replace backrest links P/N 90-000200-104-1 and 90-000200-104-2 in accordance with Part 2 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin 90-25-013 Revision 2.\n\nNote: DGAC AD2001-613(AB) refers\n\nCompliance: 1. Before 6,000 hours time in service or two years from seat manufacture date or before 6,000 hours time in service or two years since last backrest link installation, or within 900 hours time in service or before five months from the effective date of this AD whichever is the later.\n\n    2. Every 900 hours time in service or every five months whichever is the later after 12000 hours time in service or more than four years from the seat manufacturing date, without exceeding 3,500 hours or 18 months after the effective date of this AD, until replacement of the backrest links in accordance with requirement 3.\n\n    3. For installed seats: Before 12,000 hours time in service or since last backrest link installation, or before four years from seat manufacturing date or from last backrest link installation, or within the next 3,500 hours in service or before eighteen months from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.\n\nSeats and Berths\n\nAD/SEATS/20 (continued)\n\nFor uninstalled seats: Before installation of seats having more than 12,000 hours time in service or more than four years since seat manufacturing date, or more than 12,000 hours time in service or more than four years since last backrest link installation, whichever occurs later.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 March 2002.\n\nBackground: Cracks have been found in the backrest links which can significantly reduce the structural integrity of seat backrests.\n\n![Signature of David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 February 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 February 2002.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD’s scope is defined within the instrument: it applies to specified SICMA seat series fitted with the listed part numbers, excludes listed seat models and seats carrying Amendment Z1, and directs compliance by reference to the Service Bulletin. There is no indication in the instrument text that the scope was altered from the stated applicability."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping compliance time thresholds (hours in service, calendar time, and ‘whichever is later’ conditions) that operators must reconcile.","Different compliance rules for installed versus uninstalled seats, adding procedural branching.","Detailed applicability list with many seat series included and explicit exclusions (specific seat numbers and seats marked Amendment Z1).","Procedural requirements reference an external technical document (SICMA Service Bulletin 90-25-013 Rev 2) for inspection and replacement instructions.","Requirement for repeated inspections until replacement imposes ongoing scheduling and operational burden.","Compliance depends on seat manufacture date and last backrest-link installation date, increasing recordkeeping and traceability needs.","Cross-reference to a foreign authority AD (DGAC AD2001-613(AB)) adds interpretive context for implementers."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators and maintainers of certain SICMA Aero passenger seats fitted with backrest links P/N 90-000200-104-1 and -104-2 to carry out repeated visual inspections and to replace those links in line with SICMA Service Bulletin 90-25-013 Revision 2. Cracks found in the links can weaken seat backrests. It affects aircraft operators, maintenance organisations and seat installers who must track seat hours, manufacture/installation dates and meet multiple inspection and replacement deadlines to remain CASA-compliant."},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific structural defect in specific SICMA seat models. The document does not show evidence of scope creep; it remains tightly focused on backrest link inspection and replacement for the identified unsafe condition."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping compliance deadlines using 'whichever is later' logic across three different requirements","Four distinct time-based triggers (flight hours, manufacturing date, installation date, effective date of AD)","Different rules for installed versus uninstalled seats in Requirement 3","Extensive cross-referencing to external technical document (SICMA Service Bulletin 90-25-013 Revision 2)","Nested conditional logic in Compliance section 2 (repeat inspections until replacement, with dual time limits)","Specific part number exclusions and modification placard exceptions creating applicability carve-outs","Mixed units of measurement (hours time in service vs. calendar months/years)"],"plain_english_summary":"This safety order requires airlines and operators using specified SICMA passenger seats to inspect and repeatedly monitor backrest link metal parts for cracks and to replace affected links by set deadlines. The measures (timed by flight hours/age) prevent seat-back failures in turbulence or emergency landings, reducing the risk of passenger injury or death."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-seats-20-sicma-passenger-seats-9g-backrest-link-inspection-and-replacement","history":"/api/acts/ad-seats-20-sicma-passenger-seats-9g-backrest-link-inspection-and-replacement/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-seats-20-sicma-passenger-seats-9g-backrest-link-inspection-and-replacement/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-seats-20-sicma-passenger-seats-9g-backrest-link-inspection-and-replacement/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-seats-20-sicma-passenger-seats-9g-backrest-link-inspection-and-replacement/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-seats-20-sicma-passenger-seats-9g-backrest-link-inspection-and-replacement/documents"}}