AD 2022-08-03 Requires Determining If The Seat Belt Center Bracket Is Made Of Steel...

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Textron Aviation Inc. (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) (Textron) Model 120 and 140 airplanes and all Model 140A airplanes.

This AD was prompted by reports of seat belt center bracket failures from overstress. This AD requires determining if the seat belt center bracket is made of steel and replacing any non-steel brackets. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective May 17, 2022.

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 certain serial-numbered Textron (type certificate previously held by Cessna Aircraft Company) Model 120 and 140 airplanes and all Model 140A airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 27, 2022 (87 FR 4168). The NPRM was prompted by reports of seat belt center bracket failures. Analysis of the failures determined the original aluminum seat belt center bracket does not have sufficient strength and can fail due to overstress during incidents and accidents. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require determining if the seat belt center bracket is made of steel and replacing any non-steel brackets. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the seat belt center bracket, which could lead to failure of the seat belt restraint system and injury to occupants.

FMI: www.regulations.gov