Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-01- 11, which applied to all helicopters with certain Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle assemblies (buckles) installed. AD 2024-01-11 required inspecting the buckle screws and, depending on the results, reidentifying the buckle, replacing the screws and reidentifying the buckle, or replacing the buckle. AD 2024-01-11 also prohibited installing certain buckles. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2024-01-11, expands the applicability, and updates the referenced material. As an option to the actions required by this AD, this AD allows removing the male side from the lap of the restraint system assembly and installing a placard stating that use of the seat is prohibited; use of that crewmember seat or passenger seat is then prohibited until the actions required by the AD are accomplished and the male side from the lap of the restraint system assembly is reinstalled. This AD was prompted by a manufacturing defect in the screws used inside the buckle. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.