[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