Commonwealth legislation

AD/CHA/24 Amdt 1 - Seat Frames

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Commonwealth

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legislative instrument

Plain English Summary

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Requires owners/operators of American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) aeroplanes with folding seat back frames to fit specified warning placards, inspect hinge and frame areas (including non‑destructive testing), and use specified hinge hardware. It sets short initial deadlines and recurring inspection intervals and allows replacement under the manufacturer’s Service Letter 401 as a terminating action.

The directive responds to reported in‑flight folding seat back failures and an Australian inspection that found cracking in similar areas.

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Direct links to the current provisions in AD/CHA/24 Amdt 1 - Seat Frames.

AD/CHA/24 Amdt 1 - Seat Frames

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

View image in the official source
American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes

AD/CHA/24

Amdt 1

Seat Frames 13/89

Applicability: All models fitted with folding seat back frames.

Requirement: 1 (a) Install a placard in a prominent position facing the door opening reading,

“PULLING OR PUSHING ON SEAT BACK DURING ENTRY OR EXIT IS PROHIBITED”.

(b) Install a placard in full view of the pilot reading

“OPERATION IN ACROBATIC CATEGORY PROHIBITED UNLESS INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH AD/CHA/24 REQUIREMENT 3 HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT”.

(c) Lettering for the placards shall be of no less than 3.5mm height. Letters of the word PROHIBITED are to be at least 40% larger than the other lettering.

2. Visually inspect the seat back hinges for evidence of cracks, elongation of hinge bolt holes or deformation, using 10x magnification. Ensure that present or replacement hinge bolts are hex headed AN3-7A and secured with an AN365- 1032 elastic stopnut.

3. Carry out a magnetic particle or dye penetrant inspection of the left and right sides of the lower seat frame side tube to side brace junction, seat back side tube to hinge tube and brace tube areas, and the hinges and backstraps, for evidence of cracking.

Note 1: FAA AD 89-18-06 refers.

Note 2: American Champion Aircraft Service Letter 401 refers.

Note 3: Replacement in accordance with SL 401 or Approved Modification of the seat frame is considered terminating action for this Directive.

Compliance: 1 (a)(b)(c) Within 10 hours time in service after 26 April 1989.

2. At each inspection for issue of a Maintenance Release after 26 April 1989, for operation in the Normal and Utility Categories, until replaced in accordance with American Champion Aircraft SL 401 or modified in accordance with an Approved Scheme.

3. Within 10 hours time in service after 26 April 1989 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service, if operated in acrobatic category, until replaced in accordance with American Champion Aircraft SL 401 or modified in accordance with a scheme approved by the Authority.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Background: A number of in flight failures of folding seat backs have been reported overseas. An Australian registered aircraft inspected as a precaution due to overseas incidents was found to have cracking of front seat frames in similar areas. Amendment 1 notes manufacturers Service Letter 401 which enables replacement with an exchange seat frame provided by the manufacturer, if desired.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 AD/CHA/24 Amdt 1 - Seat Frames

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

American Champion (Aeronca, Bellanca) Series Aeroplanes

AD/CHA/24

Amdt 1

Seat Frames 13/89

Applicability: All models fitted with folding seat back frames.

Requirement: 1 (a) Install a placard in a prominent position facing the door opening reading,

“PULLING OR PUSHING ON SEAT BACK DURING ENTRY OR EXIT IS PROHIBITED”.

(b) Install a placard in full view of the pilot reading

“OPERATION IN ACROBATIC CATEGORY PROHIBITED UNLESS INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH AD/CHA/24 REQUIREMENT 3 HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT”.

(c) Lettering for the placards shall be of no less than 3.5mm height. Letters of the word PROHIBITED are to be at least 40% larger than the other lettering.

2. Visually inspect the seat back hinges for evidence of cracks, elongation of hinge bolt holes or deformation, using 10x magnification. Ensure that present or replacement hinge bolts are hex headed AN3-7A and secured with an AN365- 1032 elastic stopnut.

3. Carry out a magnetic particle or dye penetrant inspection of the left and right sides of the lower seat frame side tube to side brace junction, seat back side tube to hinge tube and brace tube areas, and the hinges and backstraps, for evidence of cracking.

Note 1: FAA AD 89-18-06 refers.

Note 2: American Champion Aircraft Service Letter 401 refers.

Note 3: Replacement in accordance with SL 401 or Approved Modification of the seat frame is considered terminating action for this Directive.

Compliance: 1 (a)(b)(c) Within 10 hours time in service after 26 April 1989.

2. At each inspection for issue of a Maintenance Release after 26 April 1989, for operation in the Normal and Utility Categories, until replaced in accordance with American Champion Aircraft SL 401 or modified in accordance with an Approved Scheme.

3. Within 10 hours time in service after 26 April 1989 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service, if operated in acrobatic category, until replaced in accordance with American Champion Aircraft SL 401 or modified in accordance with a scheme approved by the Authority.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES