| |
 Federal Register Information
 Header Information
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39 [62 FR 45150 NO. 165 08/26/97]
Docket No. 97-CE-75-AD; Amendment 39-10113; AD 97-18-03
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Puritan-Bennett Aero Systems Co., Cone and Seal Assemblies, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01
PDF Copy (If Available):
Preamble Information
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Puritan-Bennett Aero Systems Co. (Puritan-Bennett) cone and seal assemblies, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01, that were manufactured or repaired from August 1996 through July 1997. This AD applies to cone and seal assemblies regardless of whether or not they are attached to certain Puritan-Bennett sweep-on crew masks. The AD requires replacing any cone and seal assembly manufactured or repaired during the above time frame. This AD results from quality control tests that show that these cone and seal assemblies could have faulty ultrasonic welds. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 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.
DATES: Effective September 22, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before October 31, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-75-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from Puritan-Bennett Aero Systems Co., 10800 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215; telephone (913) 338-9800; facsimile (913) 338-7353. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-75-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael D. Imbler, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone (316) 946-4147; facsimile (316) 946-4407.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
Puritan-Bennett recently notified the FAA of a quality control problem on cone and seal assemblies, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01, that were manufactured or repaired from August 1996 through July 1997. Quality control sampling indicates that approximately 10-percent of the cone and seal assemblies manufactured or repaired during this time have ultrasonic welds that could fail. The FAA has no way of determining which particular cone and seal assemblies may have ultrasonic welds that could fail.
These Puritan-Bennett cone and seal assemblies, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01, may be attached to the following part number Puritan-Bennett sweep-on crew oxygen masks:
114321-01 114321-15 114321-16 114322-01
114322-02 114322-03 114322-05 114323-01
114622-01 114622-02 114623-01 114623-02
If the affected cone and seal assemblies that have ultrasonic welds that could fail are not identified and replaced, then the oxygen flow through the crew masks could be reduced, which could result in the crew not being able to obtain oxygen in an emergency situation.
Relevant Service Information
Puritan-Bennett has issued Service Bulletin No. 3500-97-14, dated August 7, 1997. This service bulletin specifies identification and replacement of these part numbers 210543 and 210543-01 cone and seal assemblies that were manufactured or repaired from August 1996 through July 1997.
The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, including the relevant service information, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to prevent reduced oxygen flow through the crew mask, which could result in the crew not being able to obtain oxygen in an emergency situation.
Explanation of the Provisions of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in aircraft that have these part numbers 210543 and 210543-01 Puritan-Bennett cone and seal assemblies installed, the FAA is issuing an AD. This AD requires replacing any of these cone and seal assemblies that were manufactured or repaired from August 1996 through July 1997.
Compliance Time of This AD
The condition specified by this AD is not caused by actual hours time-in-service (TIS) of the aircraft where the affected Puritan-Bennett cone and seal assemblies are installed. The need for the replacement has no correlation to the number of times the equipment is utilized or the age of the equipment. For this reason, the compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time instead of hours TIS.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since a situation exists (reduced oxygen flow to the crew in an emergency situation) that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket No. 97-CE-75-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:
Regulatory Information
97-18-03 PURITAN-BENNETT AERO SYSTEMS CO.: Amendment 39-10113; Docket No. 97-CE-75-AD.
Applicability: Cone and Seal assemblies, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01, that were manufactured or repaired from August 1996 through July 1997; utilized in aircraft that are certificated in any category.
NOTE 1: These Puritan-Bennett cone and seal assemblies, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01, may be attached to the following part number Puritan-Bennett sweep-on crew oxygen masks:
| 114321-01 | 114321-15 | 114321-16 | 114322-01 |
| 114322-02 | 114322-03 | 114322-05 | 114323-01 |
| 114622-01 | 114622-02 | 114623-01 | 114623-02 |
NOTE 2: This AD applies to each aircraft equipped with a cone and seal assembly that is identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether the aircraft has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For aircraft that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 7 days after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent 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, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace any cone and seal assembly referenced in the Applicability section of this AD with an FAA-approved assembly not covered by this AD.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may equip an aircraft with any Puritan-Bennett cone and seal assembly, part numbers 210543 and 210543-01, that were manufactured or repaired between August 1996 and July 1997.
NOTE 3: Puritan-Bennett Service Bulletin No. 3500-97-14, dated August 7, 1997, specifies identification and replacement of the part numbers 210543 and 210543-01 cone and seal assemblies.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita ACO.
NOTE 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Wichita ACO.
(e) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the document referred to herein upon request to Puritan-Bennett Aero Systems Co., 10800 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215; or may examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 22, 1997.
Footer Information
Comments
|