A Mechanic reports he noticed the # 2 Flight Attendant seat on an ATR-72 aircraft was in the intermediate position between extended and stowed; preventing unobstructed access to and from the cockpit. ATR Operational Check Job Card 25-21-22 does not state the seat has to retract automatically once the seat is unlocked from the extended position; but the Component Maintenance Manual does.

Narrative

July 2011; I was assigned to relocate an ATR-72 from gate to the Maintenance hangar. During my Pre-taxi Check I noticed that the # 2 Flight Attendant seat was in an intermediate position; between extended and stowed. Then I realized that the Automatic Retract mechanism was inoperative. I wrote-up the discrepancy as soon as we parked at the hangar. Later on that day I was told by the hangar Lead Mechanic that the Operational Check of the # 2 Flight Attendant seat on the ATR Job Instruction Card (JIC) 25-21-22 does not state that the seat has to retract automatically once it is unlocked from the extended position. The item was cleared with that Operational Check.This happened because the ATR JIC 25-21-22 does not address that the Automatic Retraction System has to be operational if an emergency situation occurs; in order to have easy and quick access to and from the cockpit. The Seat Manufacturer's Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) 25-11-44 on pages 20 and 21; specify that 'by actioning the unlocking lever; the seat is then automatically pulled by a mechanical lock into its stowage position.' This part of the operation of the seat needs to be verified when the Operational Check is performed in order to avoid compromising the safety of our passengers and crews in the event of an emergency.