COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Oxygen Systems
AD/OXY/11 Scott Aviation Oxygen Mask Plug-In
Connectors PN 289-57
12/92
Applicability: Scott Aviation (Sierra Madre CA USA) Oxygen Plug-In Connector, Part Number 289-57, as installed in, but not limited to Boeing Model 727, 737, 747, 757 and 767 series aircraft; McDonnell Douglas DC-9-80 series aircraft and Fokker F-28 series aircraft.
Note: The constant flow oxygen masks to which the connectors might be fitted include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following Scott Part Numbers:
289-127-5, 289-601-34, 289-601-35 and 289-601-234.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the requirements of Scott Aviation Service Bulletin 289- 35-15 Revision 1 dated 12 June 1992.
Note: FAA AD 92-16-15 Amdt 39-8324 dated 1 September 1992 refers.
Compliance: Within 60 days from 12 November 1992.
Background: The FAA has received reports that some plug-in connectors do not fully enter the fitting on portable emergency oxygen bottles, preventing the flow of emergency oxygen through face masks. Compliance with this Directive prevents a lack of oxygen flow from portable emergency oxygen bottles due to discrepant oxygen mask plug-in connectors.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation within the country. This legislation was introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel by establishing stringent standards for aircraft operations. Within this framework, Part 39 - 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives provides specific safety directives, including AD/OXY/11 concerning the Scott Aviation Oxygen Mask Plug-In Connectors PN 289-5712/92. This directive addresses the critical issue of ensuring that oxygen mask plug-in connectors do not fail to fully enter the fitting on portable emergency oxygen bottles, thereby preventing a lack of oxygen flow during emergencies. The policy objective is to mitigate safety risks and ensure compliance with international safety standards, particularly referencing the Federal Aviation Administration's directives to maintain consistency and safety across global aviation operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 107, governs the safety directives concerning aircraft oxygen systems, including the Scott Aviation Oxygen Mask Plug-In Connectors PN 289-5712/92. This legislation applies to oxygen plug-in connectors installed in various aircraft models, including Boeing 727, 737, 747, 757, and 767 series, McDonnell Douglas DC-9-80 series, and Fokker F-28 series. The regulation mandates that these connectors adhere to the requirements outlined in the Scott Aviation Service Bulletin 289-35-15 Revision 1 dated 12 June 1992, which corresponds to FAA AD 92-16-15 Amdt 39-8324 dated 1 September 1992. Compliance with these directives is mandatory within 60 days from 12 November 1992 to ensure that oxygen flow from portable emergency oxygen bottles is not obstructed by faulty or discrepant oxygen mask plug-in connectors. The scope of this regulation ensures the safety and effectiveness of oxygen systems on specified aircraft within the Australian aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, addresses the airworthiness directives pertaining to oxygen systems, with a focus on the Scott Aviation Oxygen Mask Plug-In Connectors (AD/OXY/11). The regulation applies to certain Scott Aviation oxygen plug-in connectors, identified by part number 289-5712/92, installed in a range of aircraft models such as Boeing 727, 737, 747, 757, and 767 series, McDonnell Douglas DC-9-80 series, and Fokker F-28 series aircraft (section 107). The connectors are used with constant flow oxygen masks, which include specific Scott part numbers such as 289-127-5, 289-601-34, 289-601-35, and 289-601-234. The requirement is for compliance with Scott Aviation Service Bulletin 289-35-15 Revision 1 dated 12 June 1992 (section 107). This directive references FAA AD 92-16-15 Amendment 39-8324 dated 1 September 1992. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 60 days from 12 November 1992.
Entities governed by these regulations must adhere to the specific requirements outlined in the Scott Aviation Service Bulletin to ensure that the oxygen mask plug-in connectors function correctly, allowing for the uninterrupted flow of emergency oxygen in case of an emergency. This involves performing actions as specified in the bulletin to rectify any discrepancies that could prevent the connectors from fully entering the fitting on portable emergency oxygen bottles. Such actions are critical to maintaining the safety of passengers and crew during flights.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. The regulation imposes obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that the oxygen systems are in full compliance with the specified directives. Any non-compliance can lead to safety risks, including the inability to provide emergency oxygen during a flight, which could result in severe injury or loss of life. The penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines and other enforcement actions, as the safety of aircraft passengers and crew is a paramount concern under Australian aviation law.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, breaches of airworthiness directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. The maximum penalties can be significant, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring aircraft safety. Civil penalties may include fines up to the statutory maximum amounts prescribed under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, while criminal penalties may involve imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of endangering the safety of air travel. Ensuring adherence to these directives is therefore not only a regulatory requirement but a fundamental obligation to protect human life.