AD/B747/369 Passenger Oxygen Masks (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B747/369 Passenger Oxygen Masks 2/2008

Applicability:	Model 747-200B, 747-300 and 747-400 series aeroplanes, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 747-35-2119, dated 30 November 2006.
Requirement:	1.    Carry out a general visual inspection in accordance with SB 747-35-2119 to determine the manufacturer and manufacture date of the oxygen masks in each of the oxygen boxes in the passenger service units of the outboard and centre main deck, the flight attendant service units, flightcrew rest, upper and lower module of the door 5 overhead crew rest, lavatory modules, together with miscellaneous ceiling panels, as applicable.
2.    Following the Requirement 1 inspection carry out all the applicable related investigative and corrective actions by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of SB 747-35-2119, except where the service bulletin specifies replacing the oxygen mask assembly with a new oxygen mask assembly, replace it with a new or modified oxygen mask assembly having an improved flow indicator.
Note 1:  SB 747-35-2119 refers to B/E Aerospace SB 174080-35-01, dated 6 February 2006, and Revision 1, dated 1 May 2006, as additional sources of service information for modifying the oxygen mask assembly by replacing the flow indicator with an improved flow indicator.
Later revisions of the above Boeing SB, approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an Alternate Method of Compliance (AMOC) to FAA AD 2007-26-06, are considered acceptable for compliance with the equivalent Requirements of this Directive.
Note 2:  FAA AD 2007-26-06 Amdt 39-15308 refers.
Compliance:	For Requirement 1 - Within 60 months after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight after the Requirement 1 inspection.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 February 2008.

Background:	The FAA has received a report advising that several passenger masks with broken in-line flow indicators were found following a mask deployment.  This Directive requires an inspection to determine manufacturer and manufacturer date of oxygen masks and, if necessary, related investigative/corrective actions.
The Directive is issued to prevent the in-line flow indicators of the passenger oxygen masks from fracturing and separating, which could inhibit oxygen flow to the masks and consequently result in exposure of the passengers and cabin attendants to hypoxia following a depressurisation event.

Charles Lenarcic
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

20 December 2007