AD/OXY/7 - Eros Oxygen Masks

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), include specific directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/OXY/7, pertains to the inspection and modification of EROS oxygen masks with certain serial numbers, specifically those less than 19108. This directive was enacted to address the need for maintaining the integrity and functionality of oxygen masks, which are critical for the safety of passengers and crew in the event of cabin depressurisation. The policy objective is to ensure compliance with these safety measures by mandating inspections and modifications to specified components of the oxygen masks in line with service bulletins, with a focus on rectifying any issues that could compromise their effectiveness. The directive aims to enhance safety by ensuring that these vital safety devices remain reliable and functional throughout their operational life.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 107 concerning Airworthiness Directives, applies to particular EROS quick donning oxygen masks used in civil aviation. The regulation targets EROS masks with the model numbers MA 10-( )-( ), MB 10-( )-( ), and MC 10-( )-( ) and serial numbers less than 19108. The directive mandates that these masks undergo specific inspections and modifications to ensure their airworthiness and safety, as stipulated by the EROS Service Bulletins MA/B/C10-35-42 Revision 1 for inspection and MA/B/C10-35-29 Revision 2 for modification. Compliance deadlines for these requirements were set prior to 1 March 1992 for inspection and prior to 31 December 1992 for modification, with reference to the DGAC AD 91-176(AB). This directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all civil aviation operators and entities subject to the Civil Aviation Regulations comply with these safety standards.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of AD/OXY/7 address the inspection and modification of specific EROS oxygen masks, which are essential components in aircraft emergency oxygen systems. These provisions are outlined in sections 1 and 2 of the directive, which require that EROS quick donning masks with certain serial numbers undergo inspection and modification. Specifically, section 1 mandates that these masks be inspected in accordance with EROS Service Bulletin MA/B/C10-35-42 Revision 1, while section 2 requires the masks to be modified as per EROS Service Bulletin MA/B/C10-35-29 Revision 2. This inspection and modification process is crucial to ensure the integrity and functionality of the oxygen masks, which are vital in emergency situations. The obligations and requirements imposed by AD/OXY/7 on the relevant parties, including aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are clearly defined. These parties must ensure that the inspection and modification of the specified oxygen masks are completed before the deadlines set out in the directive. For Requirement 1, the inspection must be carried out prior to 1 March 1992, and for Requirement 2, the modification must be completed before 31 December 1992. Compliance with these timelines is essential to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and the safety of all passengers and crew on board. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/OXY/7 can result in significant legal and operational consequences. The legislation does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, but it is clear that non-compliance could lead to safety risks and potential regulatory action. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against non-compliant aircraft operators, which could include fines, suspension of operations, or other administrative penalties. Additionally, non-compliance could result in the aircraft being grounded, which would have severe operational and financial implications for the operator. It is therefore imperative that all parties adhere strictly to the requirements set out in AD/OXY/7.