AD/OXY/19 - Puritan-Bennett Oxygen Masks

Overview

The Commonwealth of Australia, through the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, introduced the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives in 1998 to ensure the ongoing safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. The legislation, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, was developed in response to identified gaps in the regulatory framework that could potentially compromise aviation safety. Specifically, the Act provides a structured mechanism for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to issue airworthiness directives, ensuring that aircraft and associated components meet necessary safety standards. AD/OXY/19, issued under this Act, was introduced to address the issue of defective oxygen masks produced by Puritan-Bennett, which could pose a risk to passenger safety by failing to deliver adequate oxygen during emergencies. The policy objective is to mandate the inspection, repair, or replacement of these defective masks to mitigate the risk of injury or fatality in the event of an emergency.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the inspection and maintenance of certain Puritan-Bennett oxygen masks used in civil aviation. This directive applies to specific Puritan-Bennett Aero Systems C351-2000 series passenger oxygen masks and portable oxygen masks with particular part numbers and elastomer cure dates between September 1993 and March 1997. The directive is applicable to any person or entity operating aircraft equipped with these oxygen masks within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with the prescribed safety standards. No exclusions or exemptions are noted within the directive itself, although compliance may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments. This Airworthiness Directive aims to mitigate the risk of injury due to defective oxygen masks by requiring inspections and necessary repairs or replacements before the masks are reinstalled in aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 107, include the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with AD/OXY/19 focusing on the inspection and potential replacement or repair of Puritan-Bennett oxygen masks. This directive applies to specific Puritan-Bennett Aero Systems C351-2000 series passenger and portable oxygen masks with certain part numbers and elastomer cure dates between September 1993 and March 1997. According to the directive, the masks must be inspected for tears in the face cushion in accordance with Nellcor Puritan-Bennett Service Bulletin no C351-2000-35-1 Revision 2 dated February 1998. If a tear is detected, the mask must be repaired or replaced as per the Service Bulletin. Moreover, no affected masks can be installed in any aircraft unless they have been inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced as per the directive's requirements. The directive became effective on 17 June 1999 and must be complied with prior to 17 December 1999 and before further flight. The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive require operators to inspect the specified Puritan-Bennett oxygen masks for any tears in the face cushion. Operators must adhere to the inspection guidelines outlined in the Nellcor Puritan-Bennett Service Bulletin no C351-2000-35-1 Revision 2 dated February 1998. If any tears are identified during the inspection, the masks must be repaired or replaced following the procedures detailed in the Service Bulletin. Additionally, operators are not permitted to install any of the affected masks in their aircraft unless the inspection and, if necessary, the repair or replacement have been completed in accordance with the directive. Compliance with these obligations is essential to ensure the safety of passengers and the airworthiness of the aircraft. Violations of the requirements set out in AD/OXY/19 can lead to serious consequences. The primary risk is the potential for injury to passengers due to defective oxygen masks failing to deliver sufficient oxygen during an emergency. Additionally, non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directive can result in civil penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, an operator who fails to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can be subject to a penalty of up to $21,000 for each flight conducted in breach of the directive. Furthermore, persistent non-compliance can lead to more severe consequences, including the grounding of aircraft and further legal action by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These stringent measures are in place to ensure that all operators take the necessary steps to maintain the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.