AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive AD/EMB-120/31 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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.
Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes
AD/EMB-120/31
Amdt 2
Flight Attendant Oxygen 11/2002
Applicability: All EMB-120( ) models equipped with a lavatory installed in the forward part of the passenger cabin.
Requirement: If not previously accomplished in accordance with Amendment 1 of this Directive, establish a new maximum altitude operating limitation by amending the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Limitations Section as follows:
“Maximum operating altitude is limited to 25,000 ft unless the right hand front row aisle passenger seat is reserved for flight attendant use during operation above 25 000 ft.”
or alternately,
Install an oxygen dispensing unit, with an oxygen mask permanently attached, under the fight attendant seat, in accordance with the detailed instructions and procedures of Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-25-0264 Revision 1 dated 22 July 2002 and establish the following operational limitation by amending the AFM Limitations Section as follows:
“Maximum operating altitude with SB 120-25-0264 Revision 1 incorporated is limited to 30 000 ft, unless the RH front row aisle passenger seat is reserved for flight attendant use during operation above 30 000 ft.”
Compliance with either of the above alternate operational limitations may be achieved by inclusion of a copy this Directive in the applicable AFM.
Note: DAC (Brazil) AD 2001-11-03 R1 refers.
Compliance: Remains unchanged as “Within 10 hours time in service after the effective date of Amendment 1 of this Directive”.
This Amendment becomes effective on 31 October 2002.
Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes
AD/EMB-120/31 Amdt 2 (continued)
Background: The Departamento de Aviação Civil - DAC of Brazil has determined that the installation of the forward lavatory caused the relocation of the most forward oxygen dispensing unit and masks (installed at the ceiling or at the wardrobe wall in front of the first double seat) dedicated to the RH front row passengers seats and flight attendant. The seated flight attendant cannot reach oxygen masks located at the next rearward position, when automatically deployed in case of cabin decompression.
Additionally, the portable oxygen dispensing unit and mask installed in the compartment on the external side of the lavatory rear wall, although located within easy reach of the flight attendant, is not immediately available to him (or her).
The original issue of this Directive required revision of the AFM introducing maximum altitude operating limitations.
Amendment 1 followed the issue of an Erratum to AD 2001-11-03 by DAC - Brazil. The Erratum revised the AFM Limitation by changing the seating arrangement for the flight attendant from the front RH outboard seat to the front RH aisle seat during operations above 25,000 ft.
This Amendment introduces an optional installation of an oxygen bottle and mask under the flight attendant’s seat together with an alternate operational limitation.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 19 December 2001.
Amendment 1 became effective on 22 January 2002.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 September 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 October 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EMB-120/31 Amdt 2 on 13 September 2002 concerning Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes. This AD was enacted to address safety concerns arising from the relocation of oxygen dispensing units and masks in aircraft equipped with a forward lavatory. The primary objective of this AD is to mitigate the risk associated with flight attendants being unable to reach oxygen masks in the event of cabin decompression, particularly when operating at altitudes above 25,000 feet. The AD revokes the previous version, AD/EMB-120/31 Amdt 1, and provides two options for compliance: either revising the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to set a maximum operating altitude of 25,000 feet unless the right-hand front row aisle passenger seat is reserved for flight attendant use, or installing an oxygen dispensing unit with a permanently attached oxygen mask under the flight attendant seat and setting a maximum operating altitude of 30,000 feet unless the right-hand front row aisle passenger seat is reserved for flight attendant use during operations above 30,000 feet.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/EMB-120/31 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, pertains specifically to the Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes that are equipped with a lavatory installed in the forward part of the passenger cabin. This directive mandates corrective actions to address safety concerns related to the accessibility of oxygen dispensing units for flight attendants during high-altitude operations. The directive provides two alternative solutions: either amending the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to set a new maximum altitude operating limitation or installing an oxygen dispensing unit under the flight attendant seat, in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-25-0264 Revision 1 dated 22 July 2002. The aim of these measures is to ensure that the flight attendant can reach the oxygen masks promptly in the event of cabin decompression. This directive applies nationally within Australia and is effective as of 31 October 2002, with compliance required within 10 hours of time in service post this amendment.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD/EMB-120/31 Amdt 2) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies to all Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes equipped with a lavatory installed in the forward part of the passenger cabin. This directive aims to address safety concerns identified in the positioning of oxygen dispensing units and masks, which have been found to be inaccessible to flight attendants in certain circumstances. The AD mandates two main actions to ensure flight attendants have access to oxygen during flight. Firstly, operators must establish a new maximum altitude operating limitation by amending the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Limitations Section to state that the maximum operating altitude is limited to 25,000 feet unless the right-hand front row aisle passenger seat is reserved for flight attendant use during operation above 25,000 feet. Alternatively, operators may install an oxygen dispensing unit with a permanently attached oxygen mask under the flight attendant seat, following the detailed instructions and procedures of Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-25-0264 Revision 1 dated 22 July 2002. In this case, the AFM Limitations Section must be amended to state that the maximum operating altitude with SB 120-25-0264 Revision 1 incorporated is limited to 30,000 feet, unless the right-hand front row aisle passenger seat is reserved for flight attendant use during operation above 30,000 feet. The AD requires compliance within 10 hours of time in service after the effective date of Amendment 1 of this Directive, which became effective on 31 October 2002.
Operators of affected aircraft must ensure that the required actions are taken in accordance with the AD, which may involve modifying the AFM and potentially installing new equipment as specified. This includes verifying that the AFM reflects the new operational limitations or that the oxygen dispensing unit and mask installation is correctly implemented as per the provided service bulletin. Operators must ensure that all relevant personnel are informed of the changes and that any necessary training is provided to ensure safe operation of the aircraft within the specified limitations.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in non-compliance with the CAR 1998, which could lead to the grounding of the aircraft or other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD outlines specific actions that must be taken to address identified safety concerns, and non-compliance could result in regulatory penalties. Additionally, failure to comply with the AD could potentially lead to civil or criminal liability for operators who continue to fly aircraft that do not meet the required safety standards, potentially resulting in fines, imprisonment, or both. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach and the specific provisions of the CAR 1998 and any related legislation.