REFLECTOR: Attaching ELT with Velcro

[Reiff Lorenz]

The FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB # HQ-12-32) today warning that Velcro often fails to hold the ELT in place during a crash. No changes are mandated; it's only a recommendation to use some other fastener or inspect and replace the Velcro regularly. Here's the relevant text:


===========================
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs emergency locator transmitter
manufacturers as well as installers and aircraft maintenance personnel of a concern with the ability of
hook and loop style fasteners to retain their designed capability to restrain emergency locator
transmitters during accident impact. In several recent aircraft accidents, ELTs mounted with hook
and loop style fasteners, commonly referred to as Velcro®, have detached from their aircraft
mounting. The separation of the ELT from its mount caused the antenna connection to sever,
rendering the ELT ineffective.

. . . [cut] . . .

For ELT manufacturers who previously utilized hook and loop style fasteners for ELT retention, we
recommend you include the following information in your ICA:
1. Instructions for properly securing the ELT during installation and reinstallation as well as a
method to determine the appropriate tension of the hook and loop style fasteners.
2. Instructions for inspecting hook and loop style fasteners for wear, contamination,
environmental degradation, or other effects to ensure they will continue to meet the requirements in
the applicable TSO. Incorporating this inspection with the inspection required by 14 CFR § 91.207 is
appropriate.
3. Replacement interval for the hook and loop style fasteners.
=============================


Reiff Lorenz, Dayton, OH
XL-RG, 32% complete
Sand, wipe, glass, sand, wipe, glass, sand, wipe, glass

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/private/reflector/attachments/20120523/923d4087/attachment.htm>