EASA SIB CE-19-11: Eastern Marine Aero Worldwide Infant Life Vests - Protective Plugs

What to do

Owners and operators of aircraft equipped with Eastern Marine Aero Worldwide Infant Life Vests Model EAM-IN-V20L8, P0640-XXX, should incorporate Service Bulletin INV-25-2 Revision A to remove and discard the protective plugs from the survivor locator light batteries. This is a one-time action and should be completed promptly to ensure the life vests function as intended. For further information, contact the FAA Aerospace Engineer or Eastern Marine Aero Worldwide as provided.

Summary

The Eastern Marine Aero Worldwide Infant Life Vests - Protective Plugs Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB: CE-19-11) informs the aviation community about an airworthiness concern involving Eastern Marine Aero Worldwide Infant Life Vests Model EAM-IN-V20L8, part numbers P0640-XXX. The bulletin highlights the need to ensure that protective plugs in the survivor locator light batteries are removed before use to allow proper activation of the light. This bulletin applies to all aircraft using these specific infant life vests.

What changed

This SAIB introduces awareness of the protective plugs installed in the batteries of the survivor locator lights on the specified infant life vests, which inhibit light activation if not removed. It references Eastern Marine Aero Worldwide Service Bulletin INV-25-2 Revision A, which provides procedures for a one-time removal of these plugs. No mandatory airworthiness directive is issued at this time.

Why it matters

Ensuring the protective plugs are removed is critical for the proper functioning of the survivor locator lights in infant life vests, which enhances safety during emergency situations. Aviation professionals, including operators and maintenance personnel, must be aware of this to prevent potential failure of the locator lights. Compliance with the recommended service bulletin helps maintain safety standards without regulatory enforcement.