FAA · Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFO)
SAFO 20007: Damage to or Loose Installation of the AmSafe, Inc. Airbag System’s Electronic Module Assembly (EMA).
In Brief
What It Addresses
This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of potential hazards related to damaged or loosely installed EMAs (i.e., EMA, EMA bracket and EMA housing).
Why It Matters
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received several reports of airbags deploying in instances that did not involve crash conditions.
Recommended Action
Aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians should periodically ensure that the EMA is not damaged (e.g., cracked or bent) or loosely installed by examining the EMA, EMA housing and EMA brackets. During the examination: • Avoid abrupt impacts to the EMA or EMA installation.
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: Air Transportation Division
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo A SAFO contains important safety information and may include recommended action. SAFO content should be especially valuable to air carriers in meeting their statutory duty to provide service with the highest possible degree of safety in the public interest. Besides the specific action recommended in a SAFO, an alternative action may be as effective in addressing the safety issue named in the SAFO.
Subject: Damage to or Loose Installation of the AmSafe, Inc. Airbag System’s Electronic Module Assembly (EMA).
Purpose: This SAFO alerts aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians of potential hazards related to damaged or loosely installed EMAs (i.e., EMA, EMA bracket and EMA housing).
Background: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received several reports of airbags deploying in instances that did not involve crash conditions.
Discussion: The airbag system’s EMA senses a crash and sends a signal to deploy the airbag. The EMA installation secures the EMA to the seat or aircraft structure. A damaged bracket (i.e., cracks or bends), housing, or a loose installation may cause damage to the EMA. An EMA that is subjected to impact damage may cause the airbag in the inflatable restraint system to inadvertently deploy, which may injure personnel or passengers.
Recommended Action: Aircraft owners, operators, air agencies, and maintenance technicians should periodically ensure that the EMA is not damaged (e.g., cracked or bent) or loosely installed by examining the EMA, EMA housing and EMA brackets. During the examination:
Avoid abrupt impacts to the EMA or EMA installation.
Follow the cautions and warnings in the applicable aircraft Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA’s) for the AmSafe, Inc. seatbelt airbag system installation.
If the EMA installation is loose or if evidence of damage is found, follow the aircraft maintenance information to remedy the damage or loose condition.
Contact: Questions or comments regarding this SAFO should be directed to Joseph P. DiMarco, Transport Aircraft Evaluation Group, Seattle Branch, joe.dimarco@faa.gov.
SAFOSafety Alert for Operators
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
SAFO 20007
DATE: 4/14/20
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
SAFO 20007