2003-26-06: Safety Belts and Restraint Systems

2003-26-06 Anjou Aeronautique (Formerly TRW REPA S.A., Formerly L'Aiglon): Amendment 39-13403; Docket No. 2003-CE-31-AD. When Does This AD Become Effective? (a) This AD becomes effective on February 17, 2004. What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action? (b) None. What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD? (c) This AD affects Anjou Aeronautique safety belts and restraint systems specified in paragraph (c)(1) that are installed on, but not limited to, the aircraft specified in paragraph (c)(2) that are certificated in any category: (1) Anjou Aeronautique safety belts and restraint systems: Part Numbers/Types 343, 343-1, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, 343D, and 343M. (2) Affected aircraft: The following is a list of aircraft that may incorporate the affected Anjou Aeronautique safety belts and restraint systems: (i) EUROCOPTER FRANCE Models AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and AS350B2 helicopters; and (ii) SOCATA--Groupe AEROSPATIALE TB 9, TB 10, TB 20, TB 21, TB 200, TMB 700, Rallye 100S, Rallye 150T, Rallye 150ST, Rallye 235E, and Rallye 235C airplanes. What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD? (d) This AD is the result of reports of inadvertent unbuckling of the ANJOU seat belts and two safety recommendations to take AD action. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct defective safety belts and restraint systems, which could result in failure of the safety belts and restraint systems. This failure could lead to lack of occupant restraint during normal or crash loads. What Must I Do To Address This Problem? (e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following: Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Inspect the installed Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon safety belts and restraint systems (types 343, 343-1, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, 343D, or 343M) for: (i) defective buckle latch; and (ii) exceeded service life. Within the next 50hours time-in-service (TIS) after February 17, 2004 (the effective date of this AD) or 4 calendar months after February 17, 2004 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, unless already accomplished. Repetitively inspect thereafter at every 12 calendar months until the affected safety belt and restraint system is replaced as specified by paragraph (e)(3) of this AD. For types 343, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, 343D, or 343M: Follow Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin No. No. 343-25-02, Issue 1, dated October 23, 2001. For type 343-1: Follow Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin No. 343-1-25-01, Issue 1, dated October 23, 2001. (2) If any defective buckle latch or safety belt and restraint system with exceeded service life is found during any inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD: (i) For any defective buckle latch, replace defective parts with new parts. (ii) For any safety belt and restraint system that has exceeded its service life, replace witha non-Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon FAA-approved safety belt and restraint system. The service life limit for the Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon is 60 calendar months after the date of manufacture. Prior to further flight after any inspection required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. For types 343, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, 343D, or 343M: Follow Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin No. No. 343-25-02, Issue 1, dated October 23, 2001. For type 343-1: Follow Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin No. 343-1-25-01, Issue 1, dated October 23, 2001. (3) Replace any installed Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon safety belts and restraint systems (types 343, 343-1, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, 343D, or 343M). Replacement of all safety belts and restraint systems eliminates the need for the repetitive inspections of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. Prior to exceeding the service life limit of 60 calendar months after the date of manufacture or 4 calendar months after February 17, 2004 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later. Not Applicable. (4) Do not install any Anjou Aeronautique/TRW Repa S.A./L'Aiglon types 343, 343-1, 343-1, 343M, 343AM, 343B, 343BM, 343C, 343CM, and 343D safety belts and restraint systems. As of February 17, 2004 (the effective date of this AD). Not Applicable. Note: All inertia-reel type safety belts and restraint systems or fixed rear safety belts and restraint systems from another manufacturer are not affected by this AD. What About Alternative Methods of Compliance? (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 14 CFR 39.13. Send your request to the Manager, Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090. Is There Material Incorporated by Reference? (g) You must do the actions required by this AD per Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin No. 343-25-02, Issue 1, dated October 23, 2001, and Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletin No. 343-1-25-01, Issue 1, dated October 23, 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a copy from Anjou Aeronautique, 13 Avenue De L'Osier, 49125 Tierce, France; telephone: 33 0 2 41 42 88 92; facsimile: 33 0 2 41 42 15 77. You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.