Airworthiness Directives; Puritan Bennett Sweep-On Model 2000 Crew Masks

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]

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