The US Federal Aviation Administration has released a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding seat rails that's set to affect 36,000 Cessna aircraft globally.
Avweb reports that the new FAA notice of proposed rulemaking will require owners and operators of a range of Cessna models to add more steps to their inspections of seat rails to ensure they are secure.
The FAA proposal applies to 18 Cessna models including popular single engine pistons such as the 150, 152, 172, 182, and 210. It also extends to a number of twin engine Cessnas including the T303 Crusader and the 337 Skymaster.
The new directive aims to update an earlier FAA airworthiness directive issued in 1987. The FAA says that in the 23 years since the issuing of that directive it has received several reports of accidents (in some cases fatal) in Cessna aircraft where the primary latch pin for the pilot or co-pilot seat was not properly engaged in the seat rail or track.
The new airworthiness directive adds steps to the inspection procedures and clarifies some of the existing steps. The cost to comply is estimated at US$85 per aircraft for the inspection, however if parts need to be replaced the cost increases substantially.
The FAA wants US pilots to do the inspections within 100 hours time-in-service since the last inspection completed under the old directive, or within a year of the effective date of the new directive, whichever comes first. The inspection then must be repeated at intervals not to exceed 100 hours or every 12 months, whichever comes first.
To read the FAA notice of proposed rulemaking click here. CASA requires that all aircraft on the Australian register comply with applicable airworthiness directives issued by the National Airworthiness Authority (NAA) of the State of Design (in the case of Cessna the FAA).
The Cessna 172 is among the models covered in the FAA airworthiness directive. (Moruya Aero Club)
