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/23 SICMA Passenger Seat Central Spreaders 3/2003 Applicability: All SICMA AERO SEAT seats types 90XX and 92XX with seat part numbers listed in Annex 1 of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin (SB) 92-25-005, all serial numbers, right side only. Note: These seats can be found on but not limited to ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. Requirement: 1. Visually inspect the central spreaders, P/N 92-000100-200-1 or P/N 92-000101- 200-1 of applicable seats in accordance with Part One of SICMA AERO SEAT Service Bulletin (SB) 92-25-005. 2. If a Type 1 crack exists, provided the crack has not developed beyond the Type 1 criteria, install doublers P/N 00-6536 in accordance with Part Two of SB 92-25- 005. 3. If a crack of Type 2 or Type 3 is found, replace the affected central spreader by a new one of the same part number, equipped with doubler P/N 00-6536. If a new spreader is unavailable, a temporary repair may be performed by installing doublers P/N 00-6536. 4. Install doublers P/N 00-6536 on all central spreaders in accordance with Part Two of SB 92-25-005. Note: Definitions of Type 1, 2 and 3 cracks are given in Part One of SB 92-25-005. Compliance: 1. Before 500 flight hours after the 20 March 2003 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 flight hours until Requirement 4 is accomplished. 2. Before a further 6 months or 500 flight hours, whichever occurs first. 3. Before further flight. The temporary repair referred to in Requirement 3 is limited to 500 flight hours or 6 months, whichever occurs first. 4. Before 31 January 2006. Note: DGAC AD 2002-504(AB) dated 2 October 2002 refers. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 March 2003. Seats and Berths AD/SEATS/23 (Continued) Background: Cracks have been found in central spreaders which may affect the structural integrity of the seat. David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 January 2003 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.