AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For 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. Seats and Berths AD/SEATS/22 Sicma Aero Seat Passenger Seats 12/2002 DM Applicability: Sicma Aero Seat 9801 and 9802 Series passenger seats listed in Paragraph A of Sicma Aero Seat Service Bulletin (SB) 98-25-014 Issue 1 dated 1 October 2001. Note 1: These seats are known to be installed on, but not limited to, Airbus Industrie A330 and A340 series aeroplanes. Requirement: 1. Perform a visual inspection of electrical wires in the vicinity of the swivel part of the foldable central armrest of the affected seats on which Sicma Aero Seat SB 98-25-008 dated 4 February 2000, or SB 98-25-009 dated 22 February 2000, or SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 has not been embodied. 2. If any damaged electrical wire is found during the Requirement 1 inspection, either replace the wire or deactivate the seat 'in flight entertainment' (IFE) system. 3. Accomplish the following: 1. For seats without SB 98-25-009 embodied - Incorporate Part 1 of SB 98- 25-014 Issue 1. 2. For seats with SB 98-25-009 embodied - Incorporate Part 2 of SB 98-25- 014 Issue 1. 4. Record, on the seat modification record placard, the incorporation of SB 98-25- 14 Issue 1 by following the instructions at Paragraph C of "Accomplishment Instructions" of the SB. Note 2: DGAC AD 2002-505(AB) refers. Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within seven days after the effective date of this Directive and thereafter at intervals of seven days. Incorporation of either SB 98-25-008, or SB 98-25-009, or SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 is terminating action for the repetitive inspections. For Requirement 2 - Before further flight after the Requirement 1 inspection. Seats and Berths AD/SEATS/22 (continued) For Requirement 3 - Before 31 December 2004. For Requirement 4 - When SB 98-25-014 Issue 1 is incorporated. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 October 2002. Background: The French Direction Generale de L'Aviation Civile (DGAC) has advised that poor routing of electrical wiring in the foldable central armrest of the seats has resulted in damage to some of the wiring which could lead to an electrical short circuit and subsequent fire. This Directive requires repetitive inspections to detect damage until terminating repair is accomplished. The Directive also allows optional repairs to be accomplished before the terminating action is finally required. This Directive supersedes AD/SEATS/15, which is cancelled. Barry James Reid McKay Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 10 October 2002 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 October 2002.