AD Issued for Certain Helicopter Seat Belt Buckles

The FAA recently adopted a new airworthiness directive (AD 2024-01-30) for all helicopters with certain Pacific Scientific Company seat belt buckles (manufactured between January 2012 and September 2012) installed.

This AD was prompted by the failure of a buckle in an accident and requires inspection of the screws used to fasten the load plate to the body of the buckle; if any Torx head (alloy steel) screws are installed, all 4 screws must be replaced with hex head (stainless steel) screws before further flight. 

The AD provides references to the appropriate Parker Meggitt Service Bulletins, which include applicable buckles and higher-level assemblies, as well as inspection/replacement procedures.

The FAA plans to publish a separate AD for airplanes affected by the same buckles soon.