Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17072 · Oxygen
Various Transport Category Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2012-11-09 R1. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to transport category airplanes, in passenger-carrying operations, as specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Airplanes that are in compliance with the requirements of AD 2011-04-09, Amendment 39-16630 (76 FR 12556, March 8, 2011).
(2) Airplanes equipped with any chemical oxygen generator installed in any lavatory and are:
(i) Operating under 14 CFR part 121; or
(ii) U.S.-registered and operating under 14 CFR part 129, with a maximum passenger capacity of 20 or greater.
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain transport category airplanes. That AD currently requires either activating all chemical oxygen generators in the lavatories until the generator oxygen supply is expended, or removing the oxygen generator(s); and, for each chemical oxygen generator, after the generator is expended (or removed), removing or restowing the oxygen masks and closing the mask dispenser door. This new AD requires installing a supplemental oxygen system in affected lavatories, which terminates the requirements of the existing AD. This AD was prompted by reports that the current design of the oxygen generators presents a hazard that could jeopardize flight safety. We are issuing this AD to eliminate a hazard that could jeopardize flight safety, and to ensure that all lavatories have a supplemental oxygen supply.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2011-04-09, Amendment 39-16630 (76 FR 12556, March 8, 2011). Within 21 days after March 14, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-04-09, Amendment 39-16630 (76 FR 12556, March 8, 2011)), do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
(1) Activate all chemical oxygen generators in the lavatories until the generator oxygen supply is expended. An operator may also remove the oxygen generator(s), in accordance with existing maintenance practice, in lieu of activating it.
(2) For each chemical oxygen generator, after the generator is expended (or removed), remove or re-stow the oxygen masks and close the mask dispenser door.
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Design approval holders are not expected to release service instructions for the action specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
This paragraph restates the information in Note 1 of AD 2011-04-09, Amendment 39-16630 (76 FR 12556, March 8, 2011). Chemical oxygen generators are considered a hazardous material and subject to specific requirements under Title 49 CFR for shipping. Oxygen generators must be expended prior to disposal but are considered a hazardous waste; therefore, disposal must be in accordance with all Federal, State, and local regulations. Expended oxygen generators are forbidden in air transportation as cargo. For more information, contact 1-800-HMR-4922.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2011-04-09, Amendment 39-16630 (76 FR 12556, March 8, 2011). Notwithstanding the requirements of Sections 25.1447, 121.329, 121.333, and 129.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 25.1447, 121.329, 121.333, and 129.13), operators complying with this AD are authorized to operate affected airplanes until accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (l) of this AD.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2011-04-09, Amendment 39-16630 (76 FR 12556, March 8, 2011). After March 14, 2011 (the effective date of AD 2011-04-09), and until accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (l) of this AD, no person may install a chemical oxygen generator in any lavatory on any affected airplane.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2011-04-09, Amendment 39-16630 (76 FR 12556, March 8, 2011). Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199), are not allowed for the accomplishment of the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
Within 37 months after the effective date of this AD, install a supplemental oxygen system that meets all applicable sections of parts 25 and 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 25 and 14 CFR part 121) in each lavatory, as specified in paragraph (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) If compliance with paragraph (l) of this AD is achieved using a chemical oxygen generator, the actions specified in paragraph (l) of this AD must be done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager of the responsible FAA oversight office having responsibility over the modification. For a method to be approved, it must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(2) If compliance with paragraph (l) of this AD is achieved without a chemical oxygen generator, the specifications of paragraphs (l)(2)(i) and (l)(2)(ii) of this AD apply. Any repairs or alterations to a system installed and approved in accordance with this paragraph may be accomplished in accordance with 14 CFR part 43, provided the operator's maintenance program contains an airworthiness limitation that prohibits the installation of chemical oxygen generators in lavatories.
(i) The modification must receive FAA approval in accordance with 14 CFR part 21 as a major design change. Notwithstanding operations specification restrictions to the contrary, organizational approval holders may exercise their full authority in approving installations that meet the installation requirements of this AD.
(ii) Deviation from approved service instructions and subsequent modifications may be handled by normal operator procedures without requiring approval of an alternative method of compliance.
Notwithstanding the requirements of 14 CFR 121.628(b)(2) and 14 CFR 129.14, the equipment required by paragraph (l) of this AD may be included in the Minimum Equipment List, as applicable.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Appliances and equipment
