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.

Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B737/208 Oxygen Masks 3/2003

Applicability: Model 737-300, -400 and -500 series aeroplanes.

Requirement: Revise the procedures regarding donning oxygen masks in the event of rapid depressurisation, as contained in the Emergency Procedures section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), as follows:

Delete: -

''RAPID DEPRESSURISATION (With aeroplane altitude above 14,000 feet MSL.)

RECALL

Oxygen Masks & Regulators—ON, 100%'' Insert: -

"CABIN ALTITUDE WARNING OR RAPID DEPRESSURISATION

If the cabin altitude warning horn sounds:

RECALL

Oxygen Masks & Regulators—ON, 100%"

The rest of the steps under this heading in the AFM are unchanged.

The AFM revision may be accomplished by inserting a copy of the Directive into the relevant section of the AFM.

Note: FAA AD 2003-03-15 Amdt 39-13039 refers.

Compliance: Before 20 June 2003.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 March 2003.

Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B737/208 (Continued)

Background: This Directive requires the revision of the AFM to advise the flight crew to don oxygen masks as a first and immediate step when the cabin altitude warning horn sounds. This action is necessary to prevent incapacitation of the flight crew due to lack of oxygen, which could result in loss of control of the aeroplane.

James Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 3 February 2003

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.