2024-01-11: Cabin Equipment/Furnishings

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-01-11 Various Helicopters: Amendment 39-22662; Docket No. FAA-2024-0034; Project Identifier AD-2023-01154-Q. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 15, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all helicopters, certified in any category, with a restraint system with a Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle assembly (buckle) part number (P/N) 1111475 (all dash numbers) or P/N 1111548-01 installed having a date of manufacture between January 2012 and September 2012 inclusive or an unknown date of manufacture. These buckles may be installed on, but not limited to, Airbus Helicopters model helicopters, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code: 2500, Cabin Equipment/Furnishings. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing defect in the screws used inside the buckle. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent cracking and missing screw heads when under load. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a failure of the buckle to restrain the occupant. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) For helicopters with buckle P/N 1111475 (all dash numbers), within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect each buckle screw for cracked, loose, and missing screw heads by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs B.(1) and (2), of Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin (SB) 1111475-25-001-2023, Revision 001, dated December 1, 2023 (SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001). (i) If any screw has a cracked, loose, or missing screw head, before further flight, replace the buckle with an airworthy buckle. (ii) If none of the four screw heads are cracked, loose, or missing, before further flight, inspect each screw to determine if any screw has a Torx head by using one of the following methods in the Accomplishment Instructions of SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001: paragraph B.(4)(a) (Magnet Test); paragraph B.(4)(b) (Inspection); or paragraphs C.(2) through (4) (removing the buckle from the restraint system) and paragraphs D.(1)(a) through (d) (disassembling the buckle). Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001 refers to a magnifying glass as an "eye loupe." (A) If none of the four screws have a Torx head, before further flight, reassemble the buckle (if necessary) by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs D.(1)(f) through (l), of SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001, and reidentify the buckle with "INS. A" by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph B.(6), of SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001. (B) If at least one of the four screws has a Torx head, before further flight, with the buckle removed, replace each Torx head screw with a hex head screw, reassemble the buckle, and reidentify the buckle with "MOD. A" by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs D.(1)(e) through (m), of SB 1111475-25-001-2023 Rev 001, except you are not required to return any parts to Parker Meggitt. If a screw head breaks off during disassembly, before further flight, replace the buckle with an airworthy buckle. (2) For helicopters with buckle P/N 1111548-01, within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect each buckle screw for cracked, loose, and missing screw heads by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraph B.(1), of Parker Meggitt SB 1111548-25-001-2023, Revision 001, dated December 1, 2023 (SB 1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 001). (i) If any screw has a cracked, loose, or missing screw head, before further flight, replace the buckle with an airworthy buckle. (ii) If none of the four screw heads are cracked, loose, or missing, before further flight, inspect each screw to determine which screws have a Torx head by using one of the following methods in the Accomplishment Instructions of SB 1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 001: paragraph B.(3)(a) (except use Figure 6 for placement of the shim tool and use Figure 5 to distinguish the screw head types) (Inspection); or paragraph C. (removing the buckle from the restraint system) and paragraphs D.(1)(a) through (c) (disassembling the buckle). Before further flight, with the buckle removed, replace each Torx head screw with a hex head screw, reassemble the buckle, and reidentify the buckle with "MOD. A" by following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs D.(1)(d) through (m), of SB 1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 001, except you are not required to return any parts to Parker Meggitt. If a screw head breaks off during disassembly, before further flight, replace the buckle with an airworthy buckle. Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2): SB 1111548-25-001-2023 Rev 001 refers to a magnifying glass as an "eye loupe." (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a buckle identified in paragraph (c) of this AD on any helicopter unless the buckle is marked with "MOD. A" or "INS. A". (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, West Certification Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the West Certification Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (i) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact David Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (562) 627-5274; email: [email protected]. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin 1111475-25-001-2023, Revision 001, dated December 1, 2023. (ii) Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin 1111548-25-001-2023, Revision 001, dated December 1, 2023. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Parker Meggitt Services, 1785 Voyager Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063; phone: 877-666-0712; email: [email protected]; website: meggitt.com/services_and_support/customer_experience/update-on-buckle-assembly-service-bulletins. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. Issued on January 18, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-01932 Filed 1-26-24; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P