FAA Issues Notices on Piper Spar Corrosion, Shoulder Harness Failure
By EAA Staff
This month the FAA issued two continuing airworthiness notices regarding common general aviation aircraft. Neither is mandatory, but both merit attention by affected operators. Airworthiness Concern Sheet for Piper Wing Spar Corrosion The Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) requests information from the field regarding “corrosion on the forward wing spars, attachment fittings, and rivets of PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 airplanes.” This follows a discovery of severe corrosion on a PA-28 and a Piper service bulletin recommending inspection of this area. An ACS is a means for the FAA to share information with the operational community, collect data for further dissemination, and identify safety concerns in the fleet. They are an important part of the continuing operational safety system. Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin on Shoulder Harnesses The NTSB has flagged several accidents involving the failure of shoulder harnesses, leading the FAA to issue a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) on the subject. One particular accident discussed by the SAIB involved the failure of the pilot’s shoulder harness in an Aeronca 7AC following impact with terrain in 2014. The pilot was seriously injured in the accident, the passenger was killed. Subsequent analysis of the failed shoulder harness indicated it broke below the maximum loads specified in the current Technical Standard Orders (TSOs) for these restraints. The SAIB recommends that aircraft owners inspect their restraints and ensure that they meet TSO-C114 for shoulder harnesses and TSO-C22g for lap belts, dated 1987 and 1993, respectively. Like most TSO equipment, conforming devices are clearly labeled as such. Safety belts should also be inspected and replaced periodically per the manufacturer’s directions. As an additional note for EAA members, long-time EAAers may remember that the organization was an early advocate for the equipage of shoulder harnesses in homebuilts and other GA aircraft. EAA membership applications in the early days of the organization in the 1950s contained the “Shoulder Harness Pledge”: “I hereby promise to install and wear shoulder harness and safety belts in my private built aircraft to protect myself, passenger and the good name of the association. Air Force and Navy tests have proved that a 20G harness will eliminate 90% of aircraft accident injuries."
