2024-26-02: 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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-07-13, Amendment 39-21490 (86 FR 17703, April 6, 2021); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-26-02 Various Airplanes and Helicopters: Amendment 39-22917; Docket No. FAA-2024-0996; Project Identifier AD-2023-00365-A,Q,R,T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 7, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-07-13, Amendment 39-21490 (86 FR 17703, April 6, 2021) (AD 2021-07-13). (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to all airplanes and helicopters, certificated in any category, with a restraint system with a Pacific Scientific Company plastic rotary buckle assembly (buckle) part number (P/N) 1111430 or P/N 1111475 (all dash numbers) installed having a date of manufacture on or before May 31, 2007, or an unknown date of manufacture, except not those buckles repaired with the installation of an airworthy buckle handle after May 31, 2007, and marked with a BLUE logo on the center button. Note 1 to paragraph (c)(1): Information about the location of the date of manufacture can be found in Meggitt Service Information Letter SIL Restraint-25-002-2023, dated September 25, 2023. Note 2 to paragraph (c)(1): This AD does not apply to buckles made of metal or to buckles with a BLUE logo on the center button. (2) The buckles identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD may be installed on, but not limited to, The Boeing Company, Bombardier Inc., Learjet Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Textron Aviation, Inc. (type certificate (TC) previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company), and Viking Air Limited (TC previously held by de Havilland, Inc.) model airplanes and Airbus Helicopters (TC previously held by Eurocopter France) 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 reports of cracked buckle handles and updated manufacturer material. The FAA is issuing this AD to inspect for cracks and thickness of the buckle handle. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could prevent a strap from releasing when the buckle is rotated, which could result in occupants not being able to release the buckle in certain emergency landing conditions. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already done, inspect the buckle handle for a crack. If there is any crack, before further flight, remove the buckle from service and replace it with an airworthy buckle, or remove the restraint system from service and replace it with an airworthy restraint system. (2) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, measure the thickness of the buckle handle vane as depicted in Figures 3 and 4 of Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin SB 25-1111432, Revision 002, dated September 12, 2023 (SB 25-1111432 Rev 002). If the buckle handle vane thickness is greater than 0.125 inch, before further flight, remove the buckle from service and replace it with an airworthy buckle, or remove the restraint system from service and replace it with an airworthy restraint system. Note 3 to paragraph (g)(2): SB 25-1111432 Rev 002 refers to a buckle as both a buckle and buckle assembly, interchangeably. Buckles with a buckle handle vane thickness equal to or less than 0.125 inch are considered airworthy. (3) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any plastic buckle P/N 1111430 or P/N 1111475 (all dash numbers), with a buckle handle vane thickness greater than 0.125 inch, or any restraint system with a buckle P/N 1111430 or 1111475 (all dash numbers), with a buckle handle vane thickness greater than 0.125 inch installed, with the buckle having a date of manufacture on or before May 31, 2007, or if the date of manufacture cannot be determined, on any airplane or helicopter, unless the buckle has been repaired with the installation of an airworthy buckle handle after May 31, 2007, and is marked with a BLUE logo on the center button. (h) Credit for Previous Actions (1) If you inspected the buckle handle for a crack as required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD before the effective date of this AD using Pacific Scientific Service Bulletin SB 25-1111432, dated May 22, 2007 (SB 25-1111432), or using Meggitt Service Bulletin SB 25-1111432, Revision 001, dated May 20, 2021 (SB 25-1111432 Rev 001), you have met that requirement. (2) If you measured the thickness of the buckle handle vane and replaced an affected buckle as required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD before the effective date of this AD using SB 25-1111432 or SB 25-1111432 Rev 001, you have met that requirement. (i) Special Flight Permits Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199, provided that there are no passengers onboard. (j) 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 (k)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. (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. (3) AMOCs approved for AD 2021-07-13 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding requirements of this AD. (k) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Hal Jensen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (303) 342-1080; email: [email protected]. (2) Meggitt and Pacific Scientific material identified in this AD that are not incorporated by reference can be are available at the contact information specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin SB 25-1111432, Revision 002, dated September 12, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For material identified in this AD, contact Parker Meggitt Services, 1785 Voyager Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063; phone: (877) 666-0712; email: [email protected] . (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., 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 December 18, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-02051 Filed 1-30-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P