Switlik Life Raft Systems SAIB NM-09-29

FAA Aircraft Certification Service
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN

SUBJ: Equipment/Furnishings: Inflation Valve Failure on Switlik Life Raft
SAIB: NM-09-29
Systems Date: 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.

For Related Service Information Contact
Switlik Parachute Company: Gus Fanjul, Customer Support; telephone: 609-587-3300; email:
gfanjul@switlik.com.