Boeing Pilot Seats Gone Rogue? FAA Says Inspect Now
Published Date: 2/4/2025
Rule
Summary
If you fly or work with Boeing 767 planes, listen up! The FAA is updating safety rules to keep the Captain’s and First Officer’s seats from moving on their own, which could be dangerous. Starting March 11, 2025, airlines must inspect more seat parts and keep checking them regularly, helping avoid costly problems and keep flights safe.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory seat inspections start March 11, 2025
If you operate or fly on Boeing 767-200/ -300/ -300F/ -400ER airplanes, airlines must identify Captain and First Officer seat part and serial numbers and perform a one-time inspection plus repeated checks of the horizontal movement system (HMS). These actions are required under the AD effective March 11, 2025 to prevent uncommanded fore-and-aft seat movement that could obstruct flight controls.
Inspection scope expanded to more seat part numbers
The AD adds inspections for previously omitted Ipeco seat part numbers (including 3A258-0007-01-1Z, 3A258-0008-01-1Z, 3A258-0041-01-1Z, 3A258-0042-01-1Z, 3A090-0078-04-1, and others) so more Captain and First Officer seats must be checked under the new rules. The AD retains prior inspection and on-condition actions and explicitly incorporates Boeing service bulletins Revision 2 dated January 27, 2023.
Operator compliance costs and on-condition repair costs
The FAA estimates the AD affects 694 U.S.-registered Boeing 767 airplanes. Estimated per-seat costs: $85 to identify seat part/serial numbers, $85 for the detailed HMS inspection, and $170 per HMS check cycle. FAA estimates total U.S. operator costs of $117,980 for identification and up to $235,960 per check cycle; on-condition actions include overhaul up to $6,759, horizontal actuator replacement $8,022, and tooling up to $46,064.
FAA refused phased compliance for small carriers
A commenter asked for phased compliance to help smaller carriers schedule inspections and parts, but the FAA declined and kept the same standard compliance times for the entire affected fleet. That means the single compliance schedule applies to all operators regardless of fleet size.
Optional terminating action to stop repetitive checks
The service information allows an optional terminating action: installing a serviceable Captain's or First Officer's seat will terminate the repetitive HMS checks required by the AD, if done per Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0549, Revision 2 (Jan. 27, 2023).
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