Search Results for keywords:"manufacturing defect"

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) for ATR Model ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes to address a defect in lavatory fire extinguishers that could lead to ineffective fire suppression in the event of a fire. This directive requires inspections and, if needed, replacement of affected fire extinguishers, and prohibits the installation of these flawed parts. The safety directive, which follows a similar directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), ensures that all U.S. registered airplanes comply with these safety measures to prevent uncontrolled fires. The AD becomes effective on April 22, 2025, and includes specific provisions for alternative compliance methods and contacting manufacturers for instructions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to update and expand previous safety regulations for certain aircraft seat buckle assemblies. This action follows the discovery of additional manufacturing defects involving screws within these buckles, which could fail and potentially endanger passengers. The proposed rule involves inspecting and possibly replacing affected parts and includes options for making certain passenger seats inoperative until repairs are made. The FAA is also inviting public comments on this proposal by March 28, 2025, to ensure comprehensive stakeholder input.