FAA Targets Faulty Seatbelt Buckles on Planes and Helicopters
Published Date: 1/31/2025
Rule
Summary
The FAA is updating safety rules for certain airplane and helicopter seatbelt buckles made by Pacific Scientific Company. If you own or operate these aircraft, you’ll need to check and fix specific buckles by March 7, 2025, following new instructions that narrow down which buckles are affected. This keeps everyone flying safer without causing big costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory inspections, measurements, replacements
If your aircraft has Pacific Scientific plastic rotary buckles P/N 1111430 or 1111475 manufactured on or before May 31, 2007 (or with unknown manufacture date), you must inspect the buckle handle for cracks within 6 months after March 7, 2025, and measure the buckle handle vane thickness within 12 months. If a crack is found or the vane thickness is greater than 0.125 inch, you must remove and replace the buckle or the restraint system before further flight. As of March 7, 2025, you may not install any plastic buckle P/N 1111430 or 1111475 with a vane thickness greater than 0.125 inch on any airplane or helicopter unless it was repaired after May 31, 2007 and marked with a BLUE logo.
FAA cost estimate and repair pricing
The FAA estimates the AD affects up to 1,435 restraint systems on U.S.-registered aircraft. Labor is estimated at $85 per hour. Replacing one buckle is estimated at 0.5 work-hour plus $636 parts for a total of $679 per buckle replacement; replacing a restraint system is estimated at 0.5 work-hour plus $1,031 parts for a total of $1,074 per restraint system replacement.
Who is excluded from the AD
This AD does not apply to plastic buckles repaired with an airworthy buckle handle installed after May 31, 2007 and marked with a BLUE logo on the center button, and it does not apply to buckles made of metal. The applicability is limited to plastic Pacific Scientific buckles P/N 1111430 and P/N 1111475 with a date of manufacture on or before May 31, 2007 or unknown manufacture date.
Credit for prior inspections and measurements
If you already inspected buckles for cracks using Pacific Scientific SB 25-1111432 (May 22, 2007) or Meggitt SB 25-1111432 Rev 001 (May 20, 2021), that meets the inspection requirement. If you measured vane thickness and replaced affected buckles before March 7, 2025 using those same service bulletins, you get credit for that work.
Special flight permits and AMOC continuity
Special flight permits may be issued under 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 provided there are no passengers onboard. Also, AMOCs (alternative methods of compliance) approved for AD 2021-07-13 are approved for the corresponding requirements of this AD, and the FAA provides the usual AMOC process under 14 CFR 39.19.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15585, Requirements for Interference-Tolerant Radio Altimeter Systems
In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Section 40002 of that law re-institutes the Federal Communications Commission's general auction authority and specifically directs the Commission to complete a system of competitive bidding for not less than 100 megahertz in the 3.98-4.2 gigahertz band (Upper C- band). This final rule supports the Federal Communications Commission's July 2026 Report and Order that makes 160 megahertz of the Upper C-band available for terrestrial wireless flexible use via a system of competitive bidding. To ensure safe, efficient, and reliable aviation operations in the presence of wireless signals in the C-band, the Federal Aviation Administration is issuing new regulations that require all radio altimeters to meet specific minimum performance requirements. These new radio altimeters must withstand interference from wireless signals in neighboring spectrum bands and continue to provide accurate altitude readings to both pilots and integrated aircraft safety systems. These regulations require all aircraft equipped with radio altimeters operating under part 121 and those aircraft with radio altimeters operating under part 129 with 30 or more passenger seats or a payload capacity of more than 7,500 pounds to comply with the minimum performance requirements by December 30, 2030, which is prior to the date the Federal Communications Commission authorizes the use of the Upper C-band for new wireless services, as stated in its Report and Order. All other aircraft equipped with radio altimeters that are required to comply with part 91, including aircraft operating under parts 125, 133, 135, 136, 137, 194, and all other aircraft operating under part 129 that are not subject to the initial deadline, must comply with the same minimum performance requirements on or before October 31, 2034.
2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight
The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.
2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period
The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.
2026-08943, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2025-04846, Extension of the Prohibition Against Certain Flights in the Territory and Airspace of Libya
The FAA is extending the ban on certain flights over Libya for three more years, until March 20, 2028. This affects U.S. airlines, commercial operators, and pilots with FAA certificates flying in Libyan airspace, due to ongoing safety risks. The rule also reminds everyone how to apply for special approvals or exemptions if needed.
2025-03853, Enforcement Policy Regarding “Drug and Alcohol Testing of Certificated Repair Station Employees Located Outside of the United States; Correction”
The FAA is giving repair stations outside the U.S. a break by delaying enforcement of new drug and alcohol testing rules until March 20, 2025. This means affected repair stations don’t have to worry about penalties if they aren’t fully following the updated rules just yet. The delay helps everyone get ready without rushing or extra costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-02040, Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
If you fly or work with Boeing 767-200, -300, or -400ER planes, listen up! The FAA found that water leaks during servicing can mess with important electronics, so they’re requiring new hose covers, leak tests, and fixes to keep things safe. These rules kick in on March 7, 2025, and help prevent costly problems and keep flights smooth and secure.
Next: 2025-02065, Regulatory Guides: Criteria for Power Systems for Nuclear Power Plants and Criteria for the Protection of Class 1E Power Systems and Equipment for Nuclear Power Plants
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission just updated the rules for how nuclear power plants manage their electric power systems to keep things safe and reliable. They combined old guides into a fresh, clear set of instructions that plant operators must follow starting January 31, 2025. This helps plants protect critical equipment better without adding extra costs or delays.