AD/AMD 10/21 - Passenger Oxygen Masks

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, include the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that aircraft and aviation products maintain a standard of airworthiness that complies with safety regulations. One such directive, AD/AMD 10/21, was enacted to address the problem of faulty passenger oxygen masks in Falcon 10 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced following reports from the French DGAC of cracked oxygen mask bags, which posed a significant risk during flights where supplemental oxygen is necessary. The policy objective of this directive is to prevent the use of non-compliant oxygen masks, thereby ensuring passenger safety. CASA mandates that airlines perform functional tests on the oxygen masks and ensure the correct part number is installed, with non-compliant seats being placarded and replaced as necessary. The enactment of this directive by CASA, the regulatory body under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, aims to mitigate the risks associated with the identified safety issues. By requiring airlines to inspect and rectify any discrepancies in the oxygen masks within a specified timeframe, CASA ensures that the operational integrity of the aircraft is maintained, thus safeguarding passengers. This legislative measure reflects a commitment to upholding high safety standards in civil aviation, particularly in addressing specific vulnerabilities that could compromise passenger safety during flights.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Falcon 10 series aeroplanes equipped with certain Eros passenger oxygen masks identified by specific part numbers. This regulation mandates a functional test of these oxygen masks to ensure they meet the required safety standards, particularly in light of identified issues with mask bags cracking at the junction with the oxygen supply hose. The regulation is applicable to any Falcon 10 aeroplanes that have had these passenger oxygen masks installed as in-service replacements post-January 1997. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. It mandates compliance within a specific timeframe, requiring the functional test and any necessary mask replacements to be completed within ten flights after the directive's effective date of 2 August 1999 and no later than one calendar month from the inspection date. Should an incorrect part number mask bag be detected or if a mask fails the functional test, an interim measure is provided to prevent the affected seat from being occupied during flights where supplemental oxygen is required for passengers, with a placard being installed to warn against use of the seat until the issue is rectified.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Airworthiness Directives (AD) AMD Falcon 10/21 require that all Falcon 10 aeroplanes equipped with certain Eros passenger oxygen masks (section 9/99 TX) undergo specific inspections and tests. These aeroplanes have passenger oxygen masks with part numbers MW 37-09, MW 37-11, MW 37-14, MW 37-18, MW 37-28, MW 37-31, and MW 37-36 installed, with the requirement applying to those installed as in-service replacements after January 1997. The primary requirement (section 1) is to conduct a functional test of the passenger oxygen masks as per the applicable maintenance manual procedures and to verify that the passenger oxygen mask bag's part number is Scott P/N 289-601-235. If an incorrect part number is found or if the mask fails the functional test, a placard must be installed on or adjacent to the seat stating "THIS SEAT IS NOT TO BE OCCUPIED DURING FLIGHT WHERE PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN IS REQUIRED TO BE AVAILABLE" (section 2). The discrepant mask must then be replaced, and the placard removed once the correction is made. The obligations imposed by the AD on the relevant parties, including operators and maintenance personnel, are stringent. Operators must ensure that within ten flights following the directive's effective date, all applicable aeroplanes are inspected and tested as per the requirements (section Compliance 1). If an incorrect part number is discovered or if the mask fails the functional test, operators must install the specified placard before any further flight and replace the faulty mask within one calendar month following the inspection and functional test (section Compliance 2). These obligations are designed to ensure that the aeroplanes meet the necessary safety standards and that passengers are not exposed to any risk during flights where supplemental oxygen is required. Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious consequences, both civil and criminal. While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, suspension, or revocation of airworthiness certificates. Additionally, failure to adhere to these safety directives can result in civil liabilities for operators, including compensation claims from passengers who may be harmed due to non-compliance. The potential for criminal charges may also arise if it is determined that gross negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations has led to harm or endangerment of passengers. Therefore, it is imperative for operators and maintenance personnel to strictly adhere to the requirements set out in the AD to avoid these serious repercussions.