AD 2009-21-10
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | AVOX | Various | Airworthiness Directives; AVOX Systems and B/E Aerospace Oxygen Cylinder Assemblies, as Installed on Various Transport Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Rupture of a high-pressure gaseous oxygen cylinder due to insufficient strength characteristics caused by improper heat treatment.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Remove the affected oxygen cylinder assemblies from transport airplanes.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Before further flight
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Oxygen cylinder assemblies from AVOX Systems and B/E Aerospace, part numbers listed in Table 1, installed on various transport airplanes, including but not limited to specific Airbus models listed in Table 2.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain AVOX Systems and B/E Aerospace oxygen cylinder assemblies, as installed on various transport airplanes. This AD requires removing certain oxygen cylinder assemblies from the airplane. This AD was prompted by the reported rupture of a high-pressure gaseous oxygen cylinder, which had insufficient strength characteristics due to improper heat treatment. We are issuing this AD to prevent an oxygen cylinder from rupturing, which, depending on the location, could result in structural damage and rapid decompression of the airplane, damage to adjacent essential flight equipment, deprivation of the necessary oxygen supply for the flightcrew, and injury to cabin occupants or maintenance or other support personnel.
Document Text
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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 2, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63063-63066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: E9-28807]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2009-0915; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-224-AD;
Amendment 39-16049; AD 2009-21-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; AVOX Systems and B/E Aerospace Oxygen
Cylinder Assemblies, as Installed on Various Transport Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
AVOX Systems and B/E Aerospace oxygen cylinder assemblies, as installed
on various transport airplanes. This AD requires removing certain
oxygen cylinder assemblies from the airplane. This AD was prompted by
the reported rupture of a high-pressure gaseous oxygen cylinder, which
had insufficient strength characteristics due to improper heat
treatment. We are issuing this AD to prevent an oxygen cylinder from
rupturing, which, depending on the location, could result in structural
damage and rapid decompression of the airplane, damage to adjacent
essential flight equipment, deprivation of the necessary oxygen supply
for the flightcrew, and injury to cabin occupants or maintenance or
other support personnel.
DATES: This AD is effective December 17, 2009.
We must receive comments on this AD by January 19, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE.,
[[Page 63064]]
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Hettman, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
During routine hydrostatic testing, a United States Department of
Transportation Type 3HT-1850 high-pressure gaseous oxygen cylinder
ruptured under what would be considered normal operating conditions.
Further investigation indicates that the cylinder had insufficient
strength characteristics due to improper heat treatment. The improper
heat treatment is limited to specific production batches, but the
affected oxygen cylinders may be installed on various transport
airplanes and aircraft certificated in other categories. The oxygen
cylinders contain gaseous oxygen under high pressure. Rupture of an
oxygen cylinder, depending on its location, could result in structural
damage and rapid decompression of the airplane, damage to adjacent
essential flight equipment, deprivation of the necessary oxygen supply
for the flightcrew, and injury to cabin occupants or maintenance or
other support personnel.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
Certain affected airplanes have been approved by the aviation
authorities of other countries, and are approved for operation in the
United States.
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type
designs. This AD requires removing the affected oxygen cylinder
assemblies from transport airplanes.
Related Rulemaking
The FAA is currently evaluating the risk associated with these
oxygen cylinder assemblies installed on aircraft certificated in other
categories to determine whether any action is necessary to address the
unsafe condition on these aircraft.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
This AD addresses the consequences of the potential rupture of
certain oxygen cylinder assemblies. Because of our requirement to
promote safe flight of civil aircraft and thus the critical need to
ensure the proper functioning of the oxygen cylinders and the short
compliance time involved with this action, this AD must be issued
immediately.
Because an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate
adoption of this AD, we find notice and opportunity for prior public
comment hereon are impracticable and that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include
``Docket No. FAA-2009-0915; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-224-AD'' at
the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), and
(3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2009-21-10 AVOX Systems and B/E Aerospace: Amendment 39-16049.
Docket No. FAA-2009-0915; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-224-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 17,
2009.
[[Page 63065]]
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the oxygen cylinder assemblies, approved
under United States Department of Transportation Regulations for
Type 3HT cylinders, identified in Table 1 of this AD. These oxygen
cylinder assemblies may be installed on various transport airplanes,
certificated in any category, identified in but not limited to the
airplanes included in Table 2 of this AD.
Table 1--Affected Oxygen Cylinder Assembly Part Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer Part Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVOX Systems.................................... *6350A34 series,
800112-03, 800112-10,
800112-13, 801293-03,
801307-00, 801307-01,
801307-02, 801307-03,
801307-07, 801307-09,
801307-23, 801307-24,
801365-04, 801365-14,
801375-00, 801977-05,
*8915 series.
(*For example, 6350A34-
X-X or 8915XX-XX,
where ``X'' denotes a
part number digit).
B/E Aerospace................................... B43570-3, B43570-5,
176018-115, 176112-
115, 176177-115,
176181-115, 176529-
97.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Affected Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus.......................................... A300 B4-620, B4-622,
B4-605R, and F4-605R
airplanes.
A310-203, -204, -221,
222, -304, and -324
airplanes.
A318-111 and -112
airplanes.
A319-111, -112, -113,
114, -115, -131, -
132, and -133
airplanes.
A320-111, -211, -212,
214, -231, -232, and
233 airplanes.
A321-111, -112, -131,
211, and -231
airplanes.
A330-301, -321, and -
322 airplanes.
A340-211 and -212
airplanes.
A340-311 and -312
airplanes.
The Boeing Company.............................. 707-100 long body, -
200, -100B long body,
and -100B short body
series airplanes; and
707-300, -300B, -
300C, and -400 series
airplanes.
727, 727C, 727-100,
727 -100C, 727-200,
and 727-200F series
airplanes.
737-100, -200, -200C,
300, -400, -500, -
600, -700, -700C, -
800, -900, and -900ER
series airplanes.
747-100, 747-100B, 747-
100B SUD, 747-200B,
747-200C, 747-200F,
747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F,
747SR, and 747SP
series airplanes.
757-200, -200PF, -
200CB, and -300
series airplanes.
767-200, -300, -300F,
and -400ER series
airplanes.
777-200, -200LR, -300,
-300ER, and 777F
series airplanes.
Gulfstream Aerospace Company.................... G-IV airplanes.
McDonnell Douglas Corporation................... DC-8-11, DC-8-12, DC-8-
21, DC-8-31, DC-8-32,
DC-8-33, DC-8-41, DC-
8-42, DC-8-43, DC-8-
51, DC-8-52, DC-8-53,
and DC-8-55
airplanes.
DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-
13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15,
DC-9-15F, DC-9-21, DC-
9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-
32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F,
DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-
9B), DC-9-33F, DC-9-
34, DC-9-34F, DC-9-
41, DC-9-51, DC-9-81
(MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-
82), DC-9-83 (MD-83),
and DC-9-87 (MD-87)
airplanes.
DC-10-10, DC-10-10F,
DC-10-15, DC-10-30,
DC-10-30F (KC-10A and
KDC-10), and DC-10-40
airplanes.
MD-10-10F and MD-10-
30F airplanes.
MD-11 and MD-11F
airplanes.
MD-88 airplanes.
MD-90-30 airplanes.
Short Brothers.................................. SD3-30, SD3-SHERPA,
and SD3-60 SHERPA
airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35: Oxygen.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD was prompted by the reported rupture of a high-
pressure gaseous oxygen cylinder, which had insufficient strength
characteristics due to improper heat treatment. The Federal Aviation
Administration is issuing this AD to prevent an oxygen cylinder from
rupturing, which, depending on the location, could result in
structural damage and rapid decompression of the airplane, damage to
adjacent essential flight equipment, deprivation of the necessary
oxygen supply for the flightcrew, and injury to cabin occupants or
maintenance or other support personnel.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection
(g) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect
to determine the serial number of the oxygen cylinder assemblies
installed in the airplane. The serial number is stamped into the
steel cylinder near the neck. A review of airplane records is
acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the serial numbers of the
oxygen cylinder assemblies can be conclusively determined from that
review. For any oxygen cylinder assembly that has a serial number
identified in Table 3 of this AD: Remove it from the airplane before
further flight.
[[Page 63066]]
Table 3--Affected Oxygen Cylinder Assembly Serial Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cylinder manufacturer Affected serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVOX Systems.................................... ST82307 through
ST82309 inclusive.
ST82335 through
ST82378 inclusive.
ST82385 through
ST82506 inclusive,
except for S/N
ST82498, which
ruptured.
ST82550 through
ST82606 inclusive.
ST82617 through
ST82626 inclusive.
ST83896 through
ST83905 inclusive.
ST84209 through
ST84218 inclusive.
ST84224 through
ST84236 inclusive.
ST86138, ST86143,
ST86145, ST86150,
ST86169, ST86172,
ST86177.
ST86299 through
ST86307 inclusive.
B/E Aerospace................................... K495120 through
K495121 inclusive.
K617383 through
K617423 inclusive.
K629573 through
K629577 inclusive.
K674451 through
K674455 inclusive.
K757064 through
K757066 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any airplane, a United States Department of Transportation Type
3HT oxygen cylinder assembly that has a part number identified in
Table 1 of this AD and a serial number identified in Table 3 of this
AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Attn:
Robert Hettman, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental
Systems Branch, ANM-150S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6457; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail information to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#98a1b5d9d6d5b5cbfdf9ececf4fdb5d9dbd7b5d9d5d7dbb5cafde9edfdebecebd8fef9f9b6fff7ee"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4ddc9a5aaa9c9b7818590908881c9a5a7abc9a5a9aba7c9b681959181979097a4828585ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.
The AMOC approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) None.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 25, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-28807 Filed 12-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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