97-13963. Airworthiness Directives; Puritan Bennett Aero Systems Company Series 174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-44, and 174290-54  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 28996-28997]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-13963]
    
    
    
    [[Page 28996]]
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-CE-31-AD; Amendment 39-10039; AD 97-11-10]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Puritan Bennett Aero Systems Company 
    Series 174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 
    174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-44, and 174290-54
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
    applies to Puritan Bennett Aero Systems Company (Puritan Bennett) 
    Series 174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 
    174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-44, and 174290-54, that are 
    utilized on aircraft. This action requires replacing any Series 174290 
    Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 174290-14, 
    174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-44, and 174290-54, that have a 
    manufacturing date between September 1992 to August 1996 with an FAA-
    approved mask that incorporates a part number not covered by this AD. 
    These masks have a connector with an orifice that could restrict more 
    than half of the oxygen flow to the passenger. This oxygen mask is 
    mainly used for emergency medical action or emergency decompression 
    procedures during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
    to prevent restricted oxygen flow, which, if not corrected, could cause 
    serious injury to a passenger in need of emergency or first aid oxygen 
    during flight.
    
    DATES: Effective June 23, 1997.
        Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
    before July 28, 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-31-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
    Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
        Information that is related to this AD may be examined at the 
    Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
    Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-31-AD, Room 
    1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael 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
    
        The FAA recently received notice from the Puritan Bennett Aero 
    Systems Company of a design error incorporated during a drawing 
    revision to an orifice in the connector of Puritan Bennett passenger 
    oxygen masks (174290 series). When manufactured according to this 
    drawing revision, the airflow of these masks could be restricted to 1.7 
    liters per minute (less than half of the oxygen flow needed) when the 
    orifice is connected to the Puritan Bennett Model 176960 airline 
    portable oxygen cylinder assembly. The oxygen masks are not the drop-
    down style used by all passengers during emergency airplane operations. 
    These masks are connected to oxygen bottles and used by passengers 
    requiring emergency oxygen for immediate medical attention or for an 
    unexpected decompression of the airplane during flight. The drawing 
    revision error was utilized during manufacture between September 1992 
    to August 1996.
    
    Relevant Service Information
    
        Puritan Bennett has issued Nellcor Puritan Bennett Immediate 
    Service Bulletin No. 174290-35-1, date of Original Issue: March 1997, 
    which references the information presented in this AD.
    
    The FAA's Determination
    
        Because the drawing revision was utilized from September 1992 to 
    August 1996, the FAA has determined that all Puritan Bennett Series 
    174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 
    174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-44, and 174290-54, manufactured 
    between these dates should be replaced with an FAA-approved oxygen mask 
    that incorporates a part number not covered by this AD.
        After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
    information related to the information described above, the FAA has 
    determined that AD action should be taken to prevent restricted oxygen 
    flow, which, if not corrected, could cause serious injury to a 
    passenger in need of emergency or first aid oxygen during flight.
    
    Explanation of the Provisions of the AD
    
        Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
    exist or develop in other Puritan Bennett passenger oxygen masks of the 
    same type design that are utilized on aircraft, this AD requires 
    replacing any Series 174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen 
    Masks, Part Numbers 174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-44, and 
    174290-54, that have a manufacturing date between September 1992 to 
    August 1996 with an FAA-approved mask that incorporates a part number 
    not covered by this AD.
    
    Compliance Time
    
        The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
    instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The FAA has determined that a 
    calendar time compliance is the most desirable method because the 
    unsafe condition attributed to these oxygen masks exists regardless of 
    whether the aircraft on which they are used. Therefore, to ensure that 
    the above-referenced condition is corrected within a reasonable period 
    of time, a compliance schedule based upon calendar time instead of 
    hours TIS is utilized.
    
    Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
    
        Since a situation exists (serious injury to a passenger in need of 
    emergency or first aid oxygen during flight) 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 passenger 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
    
    [[Page 28997]]
    
    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-31-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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
    (AD) to read as follows:
    
    97-11-10. Puritan Bennett Aero Systems Company: Amendment 39-10039; 
    Docket No. 97-CE-31-AD.
    
        Applicability: Series 174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable 
    Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-
    44, and 174290-54, that have a manufacturing date between September 
    1992 to August 1996; utilized in aircraft that are certificated in 
    any category.
    
        Note 1. The part number and date of manufacture of these masks 
    are located on the oxygen mask gas bag. These oxygen masks are the 
    portable type as opposed to the drop-down design.
        Note 2. This AD applies to aircraft equipped with an oxygen mask 
    that is identified in the preceding applicability provision, 
    regardless of whether a mask has been modified, altered, or repaired 
    in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For aircraft 
    utilizing the oxygen masks 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 restricted oxygen flow, which, if not corrected, 
    could cause serious injury to a passenger in need of emergency or 
    first aid oxygen during flight, accomplish the following:
        (a) Remove any passenger oxygen mask with the applicable part 
    number and manufacturing date and replace with an FAA-approved 
    oxygen mask that incorporates a part number not covered by this AD.
    
        Note 3. Nellcor Puritan Bennett Immediate Service Bulletin No. 
    174290-35-1, Original Issue: March 1997, contains information 
    relating to this subject.
    
        (b) After the effective date of this AD, no person may equip an 
    aircraft with any Puritan Bennett Series 174290 Constant Flow 
    Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 174290-14, 174290-24, 
    174290-34, 174290-44, and 174290-54, that have a manufacturing date 
    between September 1992 to August 1996.
        (c) 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, 1801 
    Airport Road, Rm. 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 Aircraft Certification Office.
    
        Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from Wichita Aircraft Certification Office.
    
        (d) Information related to this AD may be inspected at the FAA, 
    Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 
    601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the 
    Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
    Washington, DC.
        (e) This amendment (39-10039) becomes effective on June 23, 
    1997.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 21, 1997.
    Michael Gallagher,
    Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
    [FR Doc. 97-13963 Filed 5-28-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/23/1997
Published:
05/29/1997
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule; request for comments.
Document Number:
97-13963
Dates:
Effective June 23, 1997.
Pages:
28996-28997 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-CE-31-AD, Amendment 39-10039, AD 97-11-10
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
97-13963.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13