# 2025-15688: FAA Orders Screw Checks in Airplane Seat Buckles

2025-15688, Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes, is a Federal Register rule from Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration published 2025-08-18 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-15688
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-15688
- Title: Airworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; Federal Aviation Administration
- Citation: 90 FR 40038
- Published: 2025-08-18
- Effective: unknown
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2120-AA64
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

FAA Orders Screw Checks in Airplane Seat Buckles

## Summary

If your airplane has certain Pacific Scientific rotary buckles, the FAA wants you to check the screws inside them because some might be defective. You’ll need to inspect, fix, or replace the buckles to keep things safe. This rule kicks in soon and could mean some quick repairs or replacements, so plan ahead!

## Abstract

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all airplanes with certain Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle assemblies (buckles) installed. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing defect in the screws used inside the buckle. This AD requires inspecting the buckle screws, and depending on the results, reidentifying the buckle, replacing the screws and reidentifying the buckle, or replacing the buckle. This AD also allows optionally prohibiting use of the seat until the actions required by this AD are accomplished. This AD also prohibits installing certain buckles on any airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

## Effects PRIA read

- Mandatory buckle screw inspections: cost, medium. If your airplane has certain Pacific Scientific Company rotary buckle assemblies installed, the FAA requires inspecting the screws inside those buckles. Depending on the inspection results, the buckle must be reidentified, the screws replaced and the buckle reidentified, or the entire buckle replac…
- Prohibition on installing certain buckles: cost, low. The rule prohibits installing certain Pacific Scientific rotary buckle assemblies on any airplane. Maintenance providers and parts suppliers must stop installing the specified buckles.
- Seats may be taken out of service: benefit, low. The AD allows, as an option, prohibiting use of a seat until the required inspection and corrective action are completed. That means affected seats could be taken out of service while screws are inspected and buckles are repaired or replaced.

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## Sources
- [2025-15688 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/18/2025-15688/airworthiness-directives-various-airplanes)
- [2025-15688 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-08-18/pdf/2025-15688.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-15687, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-15687)
- [Next: 2025-15689, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-15689)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-15688 (as of 2026-06-11).