[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23222]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 21, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-154-AD; Amendment 39-9028; AD 94-19-06]
Airworthiness Directives; Puritan Bennett Sweep-On Model 2000
Crew Masks
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
is applicable to certain Puritan Bennett Sweep-On Model 2000 crew masks
installed on various transport and commuter category airplanes. This
action requires modification of certain crew oxygen masks. This
amendment is prompted by reports of difficulty in exhaling into certain
crew oxygen masks due to misalignment of the demand diaphragm. The
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent the flight crew
from experiencing difficulty in exhaling into the affected crew oxygen
masks in the event oxygen masks are required for the crew, such as
during depressurization of the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 6, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 6, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before November 21, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-154-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Puritan Bennett Aero Systems Company, 108000 Pflumm Road, Lenexa,
Kansas 66215. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California;
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Eierman, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-131L, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East
Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-
5336; fax (310) 988-5310.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recently, the flight crews from various
transport and commuter category airplanes reported that they
experienced difficulty in exhaling into certain Puritan Bennett Sweep-
On Model 2000 crew oxygen masks. Investigation revealed that the demand
diaphragm on these crew oxygen masks were misaligned, which may have
resulted in the seizure of the exhalation valve. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in the flight crew experiencing difficulty in
exhaling into the affected crew oxygen masks in the event oxygen masks
are required for the crew, such as during depressurization of the
airplane.
The FAA has reviewed and approved Puritan Bennett Service Bulletin
174250-35-1, dated August 1994, which describes procedures for
modification of certain crew oxygen masks. This modification entails
aligning the demand diaphragm in the vertical position, which would
prevent the seizure of the exhalation valve.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Puritan Bennett Sweep-On Model 2000 crew
oxygen masks that are installed on various transport and commuter
category airplanes, this AD is being issued to prevent the flight crew
from experiencing difficulty in exhaling into the affected crew oxygen
masks. This AD requires modification of certain crew oxygen masks. The
actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service
bulletin described previously.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that 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
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public 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 shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. 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 Number 94-NM-154-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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 that it 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.
A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
94-19-06 Puritan Bennett Aero Systems: Amendment 39-9028. Docket 94-
NM-154-AD.
Applicability: Sweep-On Model 2000 crew oxygen masks, as listed
in Puritan Bennett Service Bulletin 174250-35-1, dated August 1994;
as installed on, but not limited to, Dornier Model 228 and 328
series airplanes, Cessna Model 550 and 650 and Citation Model I and
II series airplanes, Raytheon Corporate Jets Model HS 125-700A
series airplanes, Dassault Mystere Falcon Model 20 series airplanes,
Beech Model 400 (Beechjet) series airplanes, and Gulfstream Model G-
1159 (G-II) and G-1159A (G-III) series airplanes; certificated in
any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the flight crew from experiencing difficulty in
exhaling into the affected crew oxygen masks, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, modify
the crew oxygen masks, in accordance with Puritan Bennett Service
Bulletin 174250-35-1, dated August 1994.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(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 airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Puritan
Bennett Service Bulletin 174250-35-1, dated August 1994. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from Puritan Bennett Company, 108000
Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long
Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 6, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 14, 1994.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-23222 Filed 9-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
