Restraints Installed On Various Aerobatic Airplanes

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) concerning the possible failure of rotary buckles used on Schroth Safety Products Restraint Systems, model numbers 4- 01-( ), 4-02-( ), 4-03-( ), 4-04-( ), 1-09-043201BCR, 1-09-483D01, 510100-01, all dash numbers, all serial numbers, on aerobatic category airplanes.

Schroth Safety Products has issued SB 40.073-25-01 dated July 7, 2017, to provide operators with guidelines for replacing rotary buckles on certain restraint systems. There have been reported cases that, during aerobatic flying, the movement of the restraint system may cause individual latches of the restraint system to unfasten from the buckle without prior activation of the release mechanism on the products listed above. This is due to the continuous loading applied to the straps during acrobatic flying and high abrasive wear of the retaining pins and the latches. This continuous loading could eventually lead to unintended release of the latches.

To address this issue, Schroth Safety Products has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 40.073-25-01 dated July 7, 2017, to provide operators with guidelines for replacing rotary buckles on certain restraint systems.

The FAA recommends that all owners and operators of aerobatic category airplanes equipped with Schroth Safety Products Harness Restraint Systems, model numbers 4-01-( ), 4-02-( ), 4-03-( ), 4-04-( ), 1-09-043201BCR, 1-09-483D01, 510100-01 all dash numbers, all serial numbers comply with Schroth Safety Products SB 40.073-25-01 dated July 7, 2017.

(Source: FAA)

FMI: SAIB