COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
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 39.1 (1) of CAR 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.
AD/B737/146 Oxygen Masks 10/2000
Applicability: Model 737 series aeroplanes with line numbers 1 through 2984 inclusive.
Requirement: 1. Unless previously accomplished, perform a general visual inspection to determine the vendor of all oxygen masks in the passenger cabin in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 737-35-1049, including Appendix A, dated 17 September 1998. If the oxygen mask is not manufactured by Puritan-Bennett, no further action is required by this Directive for that mask.
Note 1: For the purposes of this Directive, a general visual inspection is defined as: "A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked."
2. If the oxygen mask is manufactured by Puritan-Bennett, or if the manufacturer of the mask cannot be identified, perform a general visual inspection to determine the manufacturing date of the oxygen mask, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin. For each oxygen mask manufactured by Puritan-Bennett, or an unidentified manufacturer, if the mask was manufactured between May 1986 and July 1998 inclusive or if the manufacturing date cannot be determined accomplish either of the following:
- Replace the lanyards on the masks with new lanyards in accordance with SB 737-35-1049, including Appendix A.
b. Replace the existing oxygen mask with a new mask that was manufactured by Puritan-Bennett before May 1986 or after July 1998, or by another vendor, and that has the same Boeing part number, or that is approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for installation as an alternative to the Puritan-Bennett mask.
3. No person shall install an oxygen mask manufactured by Puritan-Bennett between May 1986 and July 1998 inclusive, on any aeroplane, unless the lanyard has been replaced with a new lanyard in accordance with Requirement 2. B of this Directive.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Note 2: FAA AD 2000-15-16 Amdt 39-11848 refers.
Compliance: Requirement 1 - Before 12 September 2005.
Requirement 2 - Before further flight.
Requirement 3 - As of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 October 2000.
Background: The FAA received a report that passengers were unable to activate supplemental oxygen generators during an in-flight decompression due to stress corrosion cracking of the crimped copper alloy ferrules used to secure loops on the lanyard ends. This Directive is intended to prevent failure of the supplemental oxygen system to deliver oxygen to the passengers and flight attendants in the event of decompression, which could result in injury to passengers and flight attendants.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 August 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 September 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia Parliament, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation by regulating various aspects of aircraft operation, maintenance, and airworthiness. Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which are regulatory measures designed to address specific safety issues identified with certain aircraft models. One such directive, AD/B737/146 issued on 5 October 2000, pertains to Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes with line numbers 1 through 2984 inclusive, and specifically addresses the issue of oxygen mask lanyards manufactured by Puritan-Bennett between May 1986 and July 1998. The directive was introduced in response to a report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that stress corrosion cracking of the crimped copper alloy ferrules used to secure loops on the lanyard ends could prevent passengers from activating supplemental oxygen generators during an in-flight decompression, potentially leading to injuries. The policy objective of this Airworthiness Directive is to ensure the safe delivery of supplemental oxygen in the event of a decompression incident.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, establishes Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues in civil aviation. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD/B737/146) applies to all Boeing 737 series aeroplanes with line numbers ranging from 1 through 2984 inclusive. The directive mandates a series of actions to correct an identified unsafe condition related to oxygen masks in the passenger cabin. The directive applies to any person or entity involved in the operation or maintenance of these specific aircraft models. The requirement necessitates a general visual inspection of all oxygen masks in the passenger cabin to ascertain their vendor and manufacturing date, following the instructions provided in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-35-1049. If an oxygen mask is identified as being manufactured by Puritan-Bennett or if the manufacturer is unidentified, and the mask was produced between May 1986 and July 1998 or if the manufacturing date is undeterminable, it must either have its lanyards replaced with new ones or be replaced entirely with a new mask that meets certain specifications. The directive also prohibits the installation of Puritan-Bennett masks from the specified time period unless the lanyards have been replaced. Compliance with these requirements must occur before further flight and by specific dates outlined in the directive. This AD extends its application nationally and is enforceable across all states and territories of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) provide a comprehensive legal framework governing the operation of aircraft in Australian airspace, with PART 39 - 105 specifically outlining the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) authority to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Section 39.1(1) of CAR 1998 allows CASA to issue ADs when it is necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft. This particular AD, AD/B737/146, targets Boeing 737 series aeroplanes with line numbers 1 through 2984 inclusive, focusing on the safety of passenger oxygen masks. The AD mandates a general visual inspection of all oxygen masks in the passenger cabin to identify the manufacturer and, if necessary, the manufacturing date (section 10/2000). If a mask is identified as manufactured by Puritan-Bennett between May 1986 and July 1998, or if the manufacturing date is unknown, the AD requires either the replacement of the mask's lanyards or the replacement of the entire mask with a new one from an approved vendor (section 2). Additionally, section 3 of the AD prohibits the installation of any Puritan-Bennett oxygen mask manufactured within the specified date range unless the lanyards have been replaced.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. Operators must ensure that the visual inspection is performed before 12 September 2005, as per Requirement 1, and any necessary corrective actions must be completed before further flight, as per Requirement 2 (section 10/2000). Maintenance personnel must follow the instructions provided in the relevant Boeing Service Bulletin, including Appendix A, to accurately identify the manufacturer and manufacturing date of the oxygen masks and to perform any required replacements or modifications. The AD also includes a prohibition on installing certain Puritan-Bennett masks unless specific modifications have been made, which must be strictly adhered to prevent any unsafe conditions.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can lead to serious consequences, including potential civil and criminal penalties. The AD explicitly states that non-compliance could result in the failure of the supplemental oxygen system during an in-flight decompression, which could lead to injury or death. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text provided, under CAR 1998, breaches of ADs can result in significant fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The potential for such severe consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the AD's requirements to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board Boeing 737 series aeroplanes.