The concern related to worn seatbelts on a foreign passenger Boeing 787.
The reporter expressed a safety concern related to the wear on seatbelts on a Boeing aircraft operated from [Location] to Perth on [date]. The reporter advised that the seatbelt on a passenger seat was very worn and possibly unsafe for use. The passenger was sitting in 46D and reported that the seatbelt in 46E was also worn.
The operator did not respond to the ATSB but did provide a response to the foreign regulator.
We have received a letter from [operator] with the attached evidence of the corrective actions consisting of:
- [operator] Safety Report
- Complaints and Action Logs
- Letter from AMSAFE Date October 6, 2017
- [operator] Safety Notice Date: October 10, 2017.
The [operator] took the immediate action by replacing the ripped and poor condition seat belts on August 11, 2017.
CASA has reviewed the REPCON and provides the following comments. CASA conducts regular surveillance on [operator] aircraft when in Australian territory. During September 2017, CASA conducted targeted surveillance on [operator] aircraft in Perth. The scope of that surveillance activity was informed, in part, by a passenger complaint about seat belt condition that CASA had received. CASA also forwarded that passenger complaint to the relevant international civil aviation authority which has responsibility for regulating [operator].
CASA notes the subsequent response from the international regulator, which advised that:
- The [operator] had replaced the seatbelts in question;
- Ground staff have been instructed to monitor seat belt condition; and
- The [operator] has issued a safety notice to all crew and staff regarding the matter.
Furthermore, CASA also notes the safety action taken by the seatbelt manufacturer.
CASA is satisfied with the [operator’s] response to the REPCON. CASA will continue to monitor the [operator’s] aircraft through our surveillance programme.