COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Oxygen Systems
AD/OXY/16 Puritan-Bennett Oxygen Mask 11/97
Applicability: Puritan-Bennett sweep-on crew oxygen masks with the following part numbers:
114321-01 | 114321-15 | 114321-16 | 114322-01 |
114322-02 | 114322-03 | 114322-05 | 114323-01 |
114622-01 | 114622-02 | 114623-01 | 114623-02 |
These items may have Puritan-Bennett cone and seal assemblies, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01 manufactured or repaired from 1 August 1996 to 31 July 1997 inclusive, fitted.
Note: This equipment may be fitted to any aircraft.
Requirement: 1. Replace any cone and seal assembly referenced in this airworthiness directive (AD) with an approved assembly not covered by this AD.
2. As of the effective date of this AD no aircraft may be equipped with any Puritan- Bennett oxygen mask that has the cone and seal assembly, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01, manufactured or repaired between 1 August 1996 and 31 July 1997 inclusive, fitted.
Note: 1. FAA AD 97-18-03 Amdt 39-10113 refers.
Note: 2. Puritan-Bennett Service Bulletin 3500-97-14, dated 7 August 1997, specifies identification and replacement of the part numbers 210543 and 210543-01.
Compliance: Within 7 days after effective date of this directive.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 9 October 1997.
Background: FAA has advised that there may be a risk of failure of the ultrasonic weld on the cone and seal assembly of the oxygen mask with consequent reduced oxygen flow through the mask, which could result in the crew not being able to obtain oxygen in an emergency situation. This AD is intended to prevent that occurrence.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, introduced by the Parliament of Australia, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One aspect of these regulations is the issuance of airworthiness directives, such as AD/OXY/16, which was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to oxygen systems on aircraft. This particular directive, effective from 9 October 1997, was established in response to the potential risk of failure in the ultrasonic weld of certain Puritan-Bennett oxygen masks, which could lead to inadequate oxygen supply during emergencies. The objective of AD/OXY/16 is to mitigate this risk by requiring the replacement of affected cone and seal assemblies within seven days of the directive's effective date.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/OXY/16, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies specifically to Puritan-Bennett sweep-on crew oxygen masks equipped with cone and seal assemblies manufactured or repaired between 1 August 1996 and 31 July 1997. These oxygen masks, identified by specific part numbers, are installed in various aircraft. The directive mandates that any affected cone and seal assemblies, identified by part numbers 210543 and 210543-01, must be replaced with approved assemblies not covered by this directive. The directive's requirement to replace these assemblies aims to mitigate the risk of ultrasonic weld failure, which could lead to reduced oxygen flow and compromise crew safety during emergencies. Compliance with this AD must be achieved within seven days of its effective date of 9 October 1997.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates certain requirements and prohibitions concerning the use of Puritan-Bennett oxygen masks on aircraft. In section AD/OXY/16, the focus is on Puritan-Bennett sweep-on crew oxygen masks that incorporate specific cone and seal assemblies manufactured or repaired between 1 August 1996 and 31 July 1997. These masks must comply with particular safety directives to ensure the integrity of the oxygen supply system, which is crucial for crew safety during flight.
Operators of aircraft equipped with Puritan-Bennett oxygen masks that have cone and seal assemblies with part numbers 210543 and 210543-01 manufactured or repaired within the specified date range are required to replace these assemblies with approved ones that are not covered by this airworthiness directive. This directive also stipulates that no aircraft can be equipped with these specific Puritan-Bennett oxygen masks if they have the problematic cone and seal assemblies fitted, effective from the directive's date of implementation. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within seven days of its effective date, which is 9 October 1997.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/OXY/16 could result in significant safety risks, particularly the potential for reduced oxygen flow during an emergency, which could endanger the lives of the crew. This non-compliance could be seen as a breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, potentially leading to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such breaches may result in substantial fines or other regulatory actions taken by CASA, reflecting the critical nature of maintaining the integrity of aircraft oxygen systems for safety purposes.