Mounting Bracket Failed When An Airplane Overturned Last Year

On July 5, 2014, an accident occurred in Parma, New York where the pilot seat belt mounting bracket on a Cessna 140 aircraft ... part number (p/n) 0425132 ... failed after the airplane overturned following departure from the runway. The pilot was fatally injured in the accident.

Although cause of the failed bracket has not been determined and the investigation is ongoing, it was noted that the original Cessna seat belt installation had been replaced with a four-point Aero Fabricators harness per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1429GL in 2003. The failed bracket was made of aluminum. However, Cessna now only provides steel brackets as a replacement part for the aluminum brackets.

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin recommending that aluminum brackets be replaced with steel brackets following Cessna Service Bulletin SEB-25-03 dated February 17, 2015. To make the determination as to whether the bracket is made of aluminum or steel, a magnet may be used or look for evidence of iron oxide (rust).

At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action, according to the FAA.

(Cessna 140 pictured in file photo. Not accident airplane)

FMI: SAIB