[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45150-45152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22638]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[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
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 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,
[[Page 45151]]
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
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
[[Page 45152]]
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 (39-10113) becomes effective on September 22,
1997.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 19, 1997.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-22638 Filed 8-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
