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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 20 (Friday, January 31, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8673-8676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02051]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0996; Project Identifier AD-2023-00365-A,Q,R,T; 
Amendment 39-22917; AD 2024-26-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes and Helicopters

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-07-13 
for certain Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle assemblies 
(buckles). AD 2021-07-13 required inspecting each specified buckle 
including its buckle handle vane and prohibited installing affected 
buckles. This AD was prompted by the publication of an updated service 
bulletin, which revises the applicability based on date of manufacture 
of the affected buckles. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 
2021-07-13, reduces the applicability, and requires performing 
corrective actions by complying with certain portions of the updated 
service bulletin. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 7, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 7, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0996; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For Parker Meggitt material identified in this AD, contact 
Parker Meggitt Services, 1785 Voyager Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063; 
phone: (877) 666-0712; email: [email protected].
     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.
    Other Related Material: For other related Parker Meggitt material 
identified in this AD, contact Parker Meggitt Services, at the Parker 
Meggitt Services contact information under Material Incorporated by 
Reference above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hal Jensen, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712; phone: (303) 342-
1080; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-07-13, Amendment 39-21490 (86 FR 
17703, April 6, 2021) (AD 2021-07-13). AD 2021-07-13 applied to Pacific 
Scientific Company buckles part numbers 1111430 and 1111475, all dash 
numbers, installed on but not limited to 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on April 9, 2024 (89 FR 24742). The NPRM was prompted by a manufacturer 
determination that the cracking on the buckle handle was caused by a 
material process issue and stated that the issue was resolved in 2007. 
Accordingly, the manufacturer published revised material to revise the 
applicability by date of manufacture and clarify procedures. In the 
NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the applicability to plastic 
buckles with a date of manufacture on or before May 31, 2007, or 
buckles whose date of manufacture cannot be determined, 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. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to clarify that the unsafe 
condition could result in occupants not being able to release the 
buckle in certain emergency landing conditions. Furthermore, the FAA 
proposed to require using the revised service bulletin to accomplish 
its requirements and add a special flight permit limitation.
    Lastly, the NPRM updated the contact information to obtain related 
material, and the FAA proposed to move and update the contents of Note 
1 in AD 2021-07-13 to the preamble of this AD.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from seven commenters. The commenters 
were Air Wisconsin Airlines, American Airlines (AAL), All Nippon 
Airways (ANA), Delta Air Lines, Inc., Horizon Air, Southwest Airlines, 
and United Airlines (UAL). The following presents the comments received 
on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Requests To Correct the Date of the Related Material

    Delta Air Lines, Inc. and Horizon Air requested the FAA revise Note 
1 to paragraph (c)(1) of the Applicability paragraph to update the date 
for Meggitt Service Information Letter SIL Restraint-25-002-2023, dated 
January 24, 2023. The commenters stated the updated publication date of 
this related material is September 25, 2023, and not January 24, 2023.
    The FAA agrees and has revised the citations of that service 
information letter in Note 1 to paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, as well as 
the Other Related Material section in this final rule.

Request To Exclude Newly Manufactured Aircraft

    Delta Airlines, Inc. stated that it is receiving newly-manufactured 
airplanes with the restraint systems provided in the related material. 
Delta Airlines, Inc. further commented that Meggitt information 
specifies that buckles produced after May 2007 do not have the safety 
concern and are considered airworthy. Accordingly, Delta Airlines, Inc. 
requested the FAA revise paragraph (c)(1) of the proposed AD to exclude 
these aircraft that are new into service as these aircraft will have 
brand new buckles installed after 2007.
    The FAA disagrees. The FAA determined because Meggitt is the 
Technical Standard Order Authorization (TSOA) holder and does not hold 
an approval for installation of the restraints, it is not responsible 
for recording or controlling which aircraft airframes the applicable 
restraint

[[Page 8674]]

systems are installed on. Individual operators may request an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under the provisions of 
paragraph (j) of this AD if they believe that the installed buckle on 
their aircraft's restraint system is airworthy.

Requests To Exclude Buckles With a Metal Handle or BLUE Logo

    Delta Airlines, Inc. requested the FAA revise paragraphs (c) and 
(g)(3) of the proposed AD to exclude buckles having a metal handle. AAL 
and UAL requested the FAA confirm that buckles with a BLUE logo, 
regardless of the date of manufacturer or the date of repair, are 
compliant.
    The FAA partially agrees. The FAA agrees that buckles with a metal 
handle or a BLUE logo on the center button are not subject to this AD. 
The FAA disagrees with specifically stating in paragraphs (c) and 
(g)(3) of this AD that buckles with a metal handle are excluded from 
the AD because the additional wording is not necessary since the text 
already specifies that applicable handles are plastic. However, for 
clarification, the FAA has added a note to paragraph (c)(1) of this AD 
specifying that this AD does not apply to metal buckles or buckles with 
a BLUE logo on the center button.

Request To Exclude Buckles With a Yellow or Gold Logo and Missing Date 
of Manufacture

    Southwest Airlines stated that AD 2021-07-13 allowed ``yellow/
gold'' logo buttons with compliant plastic handles. Southwest Airlines 
requests the FAA allow the option to continue the use of buckles that 
were previously inspected and compliant per AD 2021-07-13 that have a 
yellow or gold logo button but are missing the date of manufacturer due 
to premature wear.
    The FAA disagrees. AD 2021-07-13 did not reference buckles having a 
yellow or gold logo on the center button. Therefore, the FAA has made 
no changes to this final rule based on that comment.

Comment Regarding Allowable Buckle Vane Handle Thickness

    ANA requested clarification regarding paragraph (g)(2) of the 
proposed AD, which specifies that a buckle vane handle thickness of 
0.125 inch or greater is unacceptable, whereas Meggitt Service Bulletin 
SB 25-1111432, Revision 002, states that a thickness (less than or) 
equal to 0.125 inch is acceptable.
    The FAA acknowledges this comment and has revised paragraph (g)(2) 
of this AD to require corrective action only if the buckle handle vane 
thickness is greater than 0.125 inch and paragraph (g)(3) of this AD to 
prohibit installing a buckle with a buckle handle vane thickness 
greater than 0.125 inch.

Comments Regarding Credit for Previous Actions

    AAL and Horizon Air requested the FAA revise paragraph (h) of the 
proposed AD to allow credit for paragraph (g)(1) of the proposed AD if 
those actions were previously accomplished in accordance with 
previously issued related material.
    The FAA agrees to allow credit for paragraph (g)(1) of this AD if 
the inspection of the buckle handle for a crack was previously 
accomplished in accordance with Pacific Scientific Service Bulletin SB 
25-1111432, dated May 22, 2007 (SB 25-1111432); or Meggitt Service 
Bulletin SB 25-1111432, Revision 001, dated May 20, 2021 (SB 25-1111432 
Rev 001). The FAA has revised paragraph (h) of this AD accordingly.
    Air Wisconsin Airlines and Southwest Airlines requested the FAA 
revise paragraph (h) of the proposed AD to allow credit for paragraph 
(g)(1) of the proposed AD, if the buckle handle inspection was 
completed in accordance with AD 2021-07-13.
    The FAA acknowledges these comments and infers concern that some 
buckles may be inspected for a crack twice unnecessarily, once as 
required by AD 2021-07-13 and again as required by this AD. Instead of 
revising paragraph (h) of this AD for this credit, the FAA has revised 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD to clarify the requirement to inspect for a 
crack, unless already done.
    UAL stated the proposed AD allows credit for previous actions if 
the thickness of the vane was measured using previous service bulletin 
revisions. UAL requested the FAA clarify that measurement of the buckle 
handle vane thickness or replacement of the buckle as required in 
paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD would be credit for previous 
actions.
    The FAA agrees. The FAA is allowing credit for accomplishing the 
procedures to measure the buckle handle vane thickness by following SB 
25-1111432 or SB 25-1111432 Rev 001 if done before the effective date 
of this AD, and the FAA is allowing credit for the resultant 
measurement and, if required the replacement based on the buckle vane 
thickness.
    Delta Airlines stated the FAA AMOC approval letter AIR-730-21-207 
allowed to first inspect the buckle for a BLUE logo or a metal 
configuration, and if there was a BLUE logo or the buckle was metal, no 
further inspections were required. Delta Airlines further stated that 
Parker Meggitt material specified that buckles produced or repaired 
after 2007 are marked with a BLUE logo on the center button, and these 
buckles along with metal buckles are compliant per the previously 
described AMOC. Accordingly, Delta Airlines requested the FAA revise 
paragraph (h) of the proposed AD to include credit for paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of the proposed AD if the inspection was accomplished 
using FAA AMOC approval letter AIR-730-21-207, dated June 29, 2021.
    The FAA disagrees. The applicability of this AD already limits the 
applicability to plastic buckles and exempts buckles marked with a BLUE 
logo on the center button, therefore this AD does not apply to metal 
buckles and buckles marked with a BLUE logo on the center button. To 
clarify this, the FAA has revised this AD by adding a note to the 
applicability which specifies that this AD does not apply to metal 
buckles or buckles with a BLUE logo on the center button. Additionally, 
as proposed in the NPRM and as adopted in paragraph (j)(3) of this AD, 
AMOCs approved for AD 2021-07-13 are approved as AMOCs for the 
corresponding requirements of this AD. Therefore, the FAA has made no 
changes to this final rule's requirements based on that comment.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes and any 
other changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in 
the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any 
operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Parker Meggitt Service Bulletin SB 25-1111432, 
Revision 002, dated September 12, 2023 (SB 25-1111432 Rev 002), which 
specifies procedures for inspecting certain buckles for a crack, and 
measuring each buckle handle vane for correct thickness. SB 25-1111432 
Rev 002 also specifies procedures for corrective actions, including but 
not limited to, removing and returning the buckle assembly or restraint 
assembly to Parker Meggitt for overhaul or replacement; and removing 
the buckle assembly or restraint assembly and

[[Page 8675]]

replacing them with spare, new, or repaired assemblies. An applicable 
buckle may be included as a component of a different part-numbered 
restraint system assembly. Table 1 of SB 25-1111432 Rev 002 identifies 
restraint system P/Ns that may be affected.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Material

    The FAA also reviewed Meggitt Service Information Letter SIL 
Restraint-25-002-2023, dated September 25, 2023, which specifies 
procedures for locating the date of manufacture on various buckles.

Differences Between This AD and the Related Material

    Where the related material specifies sending affected parts to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. The related 
material does not specify a compliance time to inspect for a crack or 
measure for thickness, whereas this AD requires inspecting the buckle 
handle for a crack within 6 months and measuring the buckle handle vane 
thickness within 12 months.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects up to 1,435 restraint 
systems installed on aircraft of U.S. registry. Labor rates are 
estimated at $85 per work-hour. Based on these numbers, the FAA 
estimates the following costs to comply with this AD.
    Inspecting a buckle handle for a crack and measuring thickness will 
take a minimal amount of time for a nominal cost.
    If required, replacing a buckle will take 0.5 work-hour and parts 
will cost $636 for an estimated cost of $679 per buckle replacement. As 
an option, replacing a restraint system will take 0.5 work-hour and 
parts will cost $1,031 for an estimated cost of $1,074 per restraint 
system replacement.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-07-13, Amendment 39-21490 (86 
FR 17703, April 6, 2021); and
0
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

[[Page 8676]]

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
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