AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/RES/33 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Restraint Equipment
AD/RES/33
Amdt 1
Anjou Aeronautique Restraint Systems 6/2003
Applicability: All lap belts, safety belt extensions and torso restraint systems Type 343 and Type 343-1, manufactured by ANJOU AERONAUTIQUE, formerly TRW Repa SA, formerly L’AIGLON.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the buckle spring in accordance with ANJOU AERONAUTIQUE Service Bulletin (SB) 343-25-02 for Type 343 and SB 343-1-25-01 for Type 343-1 (the 3 blades of the spring must be visible).
2. Discard equipment and replace with an approved alternate restraint.
Note: DGAC AD 2002-105(AB)R2 and AD 2002-104(AB) R2 refer.
Compliance: 1. Before 11 January 2003 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 18 months.
2 (a) For seat belts installed on aircraft used in air transport operations, or installed on aircraft with MTOW greater than 5700 kg, before 11 July 2003 or after 60 months from the date of manufacture, whichever is later.
(b) For all other seat belts, before 11 July 2004 or after 120 months from date of manufacture whichever is later.
Note: The manufacturing date is indicated on identification labels on each end of the lap belt. Indicated date is: ww/yy where ww gives the week and yy is last two numbers of year.
This Amendment becomes effective on 12 June 2003.
Background: The manufacturer has reported defective functioning of the belt buckle’s latch mechanism which could lead to an unsecured occupant.
This amendment provides an extended compliance time for seat belts installed in general aviation aircraft in accordance with the DGAC ADs.
Restraint Equipment
AD/RES/33 Amdt 1 (continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 11 July 2002.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 May 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 May 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/RES/33 Amdt 1 was enacted in 2003 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address an issue concerning defective functioning of the latch mechanism in buckles of certain restraint equipment manufactured by Anjou Aéronautique. This problem, identified by the manufacturer, could potentially result in an unsecured occupant, posing a safety risk. The AD mandates specific inspection and replacement actions for affected restraint systems, including Type 343 and Type 343-1 lap belts, safety belt extensions, and torso restraint systems. The directive was introduced to ensure that the identified safety issue is promptly addressed, thus enhancing the overall airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft. The policy objective of the AD is to mandate corrective actions to mitigate identified safety risks associated with the buckle latch mechanism of certain restraint equipment.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/RES/33 Amdt 1, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, applies to all lap belts, safety belt extensions, and torso restraint systems Type 343 and Type 343-1 manufactured by Anjou Aeronautique, formerly TRW Repa SA, and formerly L’Aiglon. This directive mandates that specific actions be taken to address an unsafe condition identified in the buckle spring of these restraint systems, which could result in an unsecured occupant. The requirement is to inspect the buckle spring in accordance with the relevant service bulletins and replace the defective equipment with an approved alternate restraint if necessary. The directive applies to aircraft used in air transport operations and those with a maximum takeoff weight greater than 5700 kg, with different compliance timelines depending on the aircraft's usage. The AD extends its application through subordinate instruments and becomes effective on 12 June 2003, providing an extended compliance period for seat belts installed in general aviation aircraft in line with the DGAC ADs.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) pertains to all lap belts, safety belt extensions, and torso restraint systems Type 343 and Type 343-1 manufactured by Anjou Aeronautique. The directive, as amended, mandates specific actions to be taken to address the safety concern identified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate. The directive requires the inspection of the buckle spring of the aforementioned restraint systems to ensure that the three blades of the spring are visible. This inspection must be carried out in accordance with Anjou Aeronautique Service Bulletins 343-25-02 for Type 343 and 343-1-25-01 for Type 343-1. Additionally, if the equipment does not meet the specified criteria, it must be discarded and replaced with an approved alternate restraint.
The obligations under this AD include the requirement for the equipment to be inspected and, if necessary, replaced within specific timeframes. For seat belts installed on aircraft used in air transport operations or on aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) greater than 5700 kg, the inspection and replacement must occur before 11 July 2003 or after 60 months from the date of manufacture, whichever is later. For all other seat belts, the compliance must occur before 11 July 2004 or after 120 months from the date of manufacture, whichever is later. The date of manufacture is indicated on identification labels affixed to each end of the lap belt, with the indicated date in the format ww/yy, where ww represents the week and yy the last two digits of the year.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in significant consequences. The AD specifies that the equipment must be inspected and, if necessary, replaced according to the outlined timeframes. Non-compliance could lead to the grounding of affected aircraft or the invalidation of their airworthiness certificates, thereby preventing the aircraft from operating until the required actions are taken. While specific penalties are not detailed within the AD itself, non-compliance with CASA regulations generally can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential legal proceedings. The severity of the penalties may vary based on the extent and nature of the non-compliance.