Ad/Oxy/20 - Oxygen Cylinders (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.

Oxygen Systems

AD/OXY/20 Oxygen Cylinders 12/2006 TX

Applicability:

Oxygen Reserve Cylinders having Part Number (P/N) GLF(XXX)-(X),
GLD(XXX)-(X), PC2300 and SLF300, which are known to be installed on, but not limited to:

Airbus A300 series aircraft;

Dassault Aviation (AMD-BA);
       Mystére-Falcon 20,
       Mystére-Falcon 50,
       Falcon 200, and
       Falcon 900 aircraft.

Pilatus aircraft;

Eurocopter;
       SA 315 B, and
       AS 350 B3 helicopters.

Requirement:

Unless previously accomplished in accordance with AD/ECUREUIL/121 or
AD/SA 315/1:

1.    For Oxygen Reserve Cylinders made of Aluminium Alloy 5283 (AA5283) fitted to aircraft:

a.     Identify the year of manufacture of each affected P/N.

b.    Remove and empty the oxygen cylinder/s from the aircraft in accordance with the instructions described in INTERTECHNIQUE Service Bulletin (SB) GLD/GLF-35-150 dated 20 September 2006.

2.    For Oxygen Reserve Cylinders held as spares identify the year of manufacture of each affected P/N oxygen reserve cylinder made of AA5283 and empty all oxygen reserve cylinders that have reached or exceeded 25 years after manufacture, in accordance with the instructions described in INTERTECHNIQUE SB GLD/GLF-35-1-150 dated 20 September 2006.

3.    Oxygen Reserve Cylinder with P/Ns as affected by this AD shall not be installed in any aircraft as replacement part, except within the TIS or time since manufacture limits as specified in this directive.

Note 1:  EASA EAD 2006-0286-E refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1.a:  Before the next flight.

For Requirement 1.b.

Aircraft operated in salt-laden atmospheric conditions - Upon accumulating 15 years TIS (since manufacture and installation on aircraft), or within 15 days after the effective date of this Directive if 15 years TIS has already been reached.

or

Aircraft operated in normal climatic conditions - Upon accumulating 25 years TIS (since manufacture and installation on helicopters), or within 6 months after the effective date of this Directive if 25 years TIS has already been reached.

or

If the TIS cannot positively be established, within 15 days after the effective date of this Directive.

For Requirement 2 - As of effective date of this Directive.

For Requirement 3 - As of effective date of this Directive.

Note 2:  EASA EAD 2006-0286-E cancels and supersedes EASA EAD 2006-0261-E.  AD/ECUREUIL/121 and AD/SA 315/1, which were based on EASA EAD
2006-0261-E, have also been cancelled.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 September 2006.

Background:

This Directive is issued following information concerning the risk of high-pressure oxygen cylinder rupturing causing rapid venting of the contents.  These cylinders are used for missions at high altitudes or to ensure respiratory aid for passengers feeling sick.

It has been demonstrated that the material characteristics of the Aluminium Alloy 5283 (AA5283) from which the cylinders are manufactured deteriorate in the course of time and may possibly lead these oxygen cylinders to tear and abruptly vent onboard an aircraft.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

22 September 2006