The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) on missing or improper seat stops in Cessnas.
The SAFO, issued Aug. 26, reminds inspectors, operators, owners and maintenance technicians that type design seat stops are required to be installed on all seat rails to meet airworthy requirements.
Missing or improper seat stops have been found on several Cessna models including 150, 152, 172 and 206. These seat stops are also found on Cessna models 303, 336 and 337; and all legacy (pre-1987) single-engine Cessna models 170, 175, 177, 180, 182, 185, 188, 190, 195, 205, 207 and 210. Cessna has identified seat stops as an important piece of equipment required for safety by inserting a warning note into their service manuals to ensure that seat stops are installed in the proper positions on the rails for each seat.
Improperly installed, worn or incorrect seat stop installations could allow the pilot and or co-pilot seats to depart the rails during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing. The seat stops need to be inspected at regular intervals for condition and proper installation to ensure the continued airworthiness of the seat stops. The Cessna service manual recommends inspection of seat stops at the 100 hour/Annual inspection, although not all of the Cessna service manuals provide instructions that specifically address inspection of the stops for condition, proper location or that the stops are approved parts.
For more information: FAA.gov, Cessna.com
