Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
NM-09-29
May 20, 2009
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advises
registered owners and operators of the possibility of failure of the
inflation valves used on Switlik Life Raft Systems installed on
transport category airplanes.
Background
Switlik Parachute Company has issued Service Bulletin 25-00-28,
dated December 12, 2008, to provide operators with guidelines for
replacing inflation valves having part number (P/N) S-2630-3, used on
Switlik Life Rafts with P/Ns D-806-551 through -575 inclusive, -663,
and -727, and P/Ns -551BV through -575BV inclusive, and -663BV. When
activated, the inflation valve allows the high pressure gas in the
inflation cylinder to enter the life raft for deployment. There have
been no reported failures of the inflation valves used on transport
category airplanes; however, inflation valves of a similar design used
on marine application (boats equipped with life rafts) have failed to
allow the high pressure gas in the inflation cylinder to enter the life
raft. At this time, the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe
condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends that all owners and operators of transport
category airplanes equipped with Switlik Life Raft Systems comply with
the actions outlined in Switlik Service Bulletin 25-00-28, dated
December 12, 2008, at the next scheduled maintenance interval of the
life raft system.
For Further Information Contact
Anthony Gallo, Branch Manager, Airframe and Mechanical Systems
Branch, FAA NYACO, ANE-171, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury,
NY 11590; phone: (516) 228-7310; fax: (516) 794-5531; email:
Anthony.Gallo@faa.gov.