AD 2020-16-10 Requires Removing Comfort Clips From Service And Inspecting The Seat Belt Shoulder Harness

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters.

This AD was prompted by a report of a shoulder harness seat belt comfort clip (comfort clip) interfering with the seat belt inertia reel. This AD requires removing comfort clips from service and inspecting the seat belt shoulder harness (harness) for a rip or an abrasion. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective September 3, 2020.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Bell Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, 212, 214B, 214B-1, 412, 412CF, and 412EP helicopters with a comfort clip part number (P/N) D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, or 504636-401 installed. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 6, 2020 (85 FR, 19113). The NPRM was prompted by a series of service bulletins issued by Bell reporting an issue with comfort clip P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, and 504636-401, which are installed on seat belt assemblies. A design review by Leonardo S.p.A. Helicopter (formerly Agusta S.p.A., Finmeccanica S.p.A.) indicates the use of the affected comfort clips could jeopardize, in cases of impact or deceleration, the correct functionality of the seat belt or the seat belt inertia reel. The NPRM proposed to require removing comfort clips P/Ns D7LZ-6560286-A, D7LZ-6560286-B, and 504636-401from service and inspecting each harness for a rip or an abrasion. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMI: www.regulations.gov