A319
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Maintenance Inspector 6; Maintenance Technician 24
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Chart Or Publication; Aircraft
I was asked to go out to aircraft to look at the exit row seats and the tray tables in row 14 of a A319. The concern is that both the 'in-arm' and the 'seat-back' tray-tables are installed. If both tables are extended at the same time it will block the egress of passengers from the Aircraft in the event of an emergency. If they are all extended at the same time there will be six tray-tables overlapping each other and blocking the path on both sides of the plane. [Recommend to] Check with engineering for proper tray-table installation; also check configuration of all A319 aircraft. Maintenance Inspector. Ramp.
Reporter stated he has not seen a dual configuration of 'in-arm' and 'seat-back' tray tables at Emergency Exit seat rows on their other fleet of aircraft.  He was recently informed by his company Engineering department that the FAA certified the configuration and no further action will be taken to address his concerns.
An Aircraft Maintenance Inspector reports about a company A319 aircraft that had both 'in-arm' and 'seat-back' tray tables installed at the left and right Emergency Exit rows. If both tables are extended at the same time; they will block egress of passengers.  If they are all extended at the same time there will be six tray-tables overlapping each other and blocking the exit path on both sides of the plane.