AD/F2000/25 Oxygen Incompatible Passenger Mask Boxes (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.

Dassault Aviation Falcon 2000 Series Aeroplanes

AD/F2000/25 Oxygen - Incompatible Passenger Mask Boxes 5/2007

Applicability:

Falcon 2000EX aeroplanes serial numbers (S/N) 28 through 55 inclusive, that have not implemented Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin (SB) F2000EX-61 dated 22 March 2006 or SB F2000EX-61 Revision 1 dated 22 March 2007.

Requirement:

Replace the passenger oxygen mask boxes in accordance with SB F2000EX-61 or later revision approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Note:  EASA AD 2007-0073 refers.

Compliance:

No later than 30 June 2008.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 May 2007.

Background:

On early Falcon aeroplanes featuring the EASy cockpit, a new electropneumatic oxygen (O₂) controller was installed.  An internal review by Dassault Aviation has determined that the passenger oxygen mask boxes are not compatible with this new controller.  In OVERRIDE mode, when the internal pressure reducer is by-passed, O₂ flow is nominal, while in NORMAL mode, O₂ flow is reduced by half compared to what it should be.

Consequently, in NORMAL mode, the minimum mass flow of supplemental O₂ for each passenger, as required by Certification Specifications, is no longer met.  This could lead to passengers’ incapacitation due to insufficient body oxygenation.

This Directive mandates the replacement of the passenger oxygen mask boxes by new-design ones compatible with the controller.

Charles Lenarcic
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

29 March 2007