A-88-156
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: ISSUE AN EMERGENCY AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE (AD) APPLICABLE TO BELLANCA 7 AND 8 SERIES AIRPLANES EQUIPPED WITH FOLDING SEATBACK FRAMES, REQUIRING: BEFORE FURTHER FLIGHT (1) A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE WELDED LOWER SEAT FRAME SIDE-TUBE/SIDE-BRACE JUNCTION AND SEATBACK HINGES FOR EVIDENCE OF CRACKS (USING 10X MAGNIFICATION), ELONGATION OF HINGE BOLT HOLES, OR DEFORMATION. ANY COMPONENT FOUND DEFECTIVE SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THIS INSPECTION IS TO BE REPEATED AT 10-HOUR INTERVALS OF FLIGHT UNTIL ITEM (5) OR (6) BELOW HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. (2) COMPLIANCE WITH BELLANCA SERVICE LETTER NO. 109 CONCERNING FOLDING SEATBACK FRAME HINGE BOLTS. (3) THE PROHIBITION OF AEROBATIC MANEUVERS UNLESS ITEM (5) OR (6) BELOW HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. WITHIN THE NEXT 10 HOURS OF FLIGHT (4) THE INSTALLATION OF A PLACARD PROHIBITING PULLING OR PUSHING ON THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FOLDING SEATBACK FRAME. WITHIN THE NEXT 50 HOURS OF FLIGHT (5) A MAGNETIC PARTICLE OR DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES OF THE WELDED LOWER SEAT FRAME SIDE-TUBE/SIDE-BRACE JUNCTION AND SEATBACK HINGES FOR EVIDENCE OF CRACKS. ANY COMPONENT FOUND CRACKED OR OTHERWISE DEFECTIVE SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THIS INSPECTION IS TO BE REPEATED AT 50-HOUR INTERVALS OF FLIGHT UNTIL ITEM (6) HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. WITHIN 9 MONTHS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AD (6) THE INCORPORATION OF AN APPROPRIATE MODIFICATION TO THE FOLDING SEATBACK FRAMES TO INCREASE THEIR STRENGTH AND TO ENSURE A HIGHER LEVEL OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY CONSISTENT WITH ALL APPLICABLE DESIGN LOAD CRITERIA. AS AN ADDITIONAL PRECAUTION, THE MODIFICATION MAY INCLUDE A SUITABLE MEANS (FOR EXAMPLE, A CABLE ATTACHMENT) FOR RESTRAINING AFT MOVEMENT OF THE SEATBACK FRAME IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE FOR ANY REASON. (URGENT)
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The NTSB directs the FAA to issue an emergency airworthiness directive for Bellanca 7 and 8 series airplanes with folding seatback frames, requiring immediate visual inspections for cracks or deformation, a ban on aerobatic maneuvers until a modification is made, and installation of a placard warning against pushing or pulling on the seatback. Within 50 flight hours, a more thorough inspection (magnetic particle or dye penetrant) must be done, and within nine months, the seatback frames must be modified to increase strength and structural integrity.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Alternate Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Dec 5, 1989 |
| NTSB number | CHI88FA240 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).