[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 22, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22438-22440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09103]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0927; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-172-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Zodiac Aerotechnics (Formerly 
Intertechnique Aircraft Systems)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Zodiac Aerotechnics (formerly Intertechnique Aircraft Systems) 
flightcrew oxygen mask regulators as installed on, but not limited to, 
various transport and small airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by 
a report that improper maintenance on oxygen mask regulators was found. 
This proposed AD would require the identification and replacement of 
all potentially affected units. This proposed AD also would require 
installation of a placard and revision of the airplane flight manual to 
include an operational procedure for use in case of depressurization. 
We are proposing this AD to detect and correct affected oxygen mask 
regulators, which could lead to inadequate protection to the affected 
flightcrew against hypoxia. Hypoxia can start from a headache and 
drowsiness and lead eventually to unconsciousness with severe 
consequence in terms of airplane controllability.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Zodiac Services, Technical Publication Department, Zodiac Aerotechnics, 
Oxygen Systems Europe, 61 Rue Pierre Curie--CS20001, 78373 Plaisir 
Cedex, France; phone: (33) 01 61 24 23 23; fax: (33) 01 30 55 71 61; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.zodiacaerospace.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0927; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ian Lucas, Aerospace Engineer, Boston 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) ANE-150, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7757; fax: 781-238-7170; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0927; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-172-AD'' at the beginning of

[[Page 22439]]

your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2012-0254R1, dated December 21, 2012 (referred 
to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    In a repair station, improper maintenance on [flightcrew] oxygen 
mask regulators was reported to Intertechnique: during an inspection 
of the oxygen test bench by its manufacturer, incorrect settings 
were noticed. This test bench setting discrepancy on the oxygen mask 
regulator could cause an improper mask dilution schedule.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead, in 
case of a diversion above 10,000 feet after a depressurization 
event, to the inhalation of air with improper content of oxygen, due 
to the bad dilution settings, thereby providing inadequate 
protection to the affected flightcrew member against hypoxia, which 
can start from a headache and drowsiness and lead eventually to 
unconsciousness with severe consequence in term of aeroplane 
controllability.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
identification and replacement of all potentially affected units. 
This [EASA] AD also requires installation of a placard and [a 
revision to the airplane flight manual to include] . . . an 
operational procedure [in case of depressurization] pending 
replacement of the affected units.
* * * * *
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2015-0927.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Zodiac Services has issued Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin MCF-
SBU-35-001, Revision 1, dated December 3, 2012. The service information 
describes procedures for the identification and replacement of all 
potentially affected units. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this 
NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 13 appliances installed 
on, but not limited to, various transport and small airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $225 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $6,240, or $480 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Zodiac Aerotechnics (formerly Intertechnique Aircraft Systems): 
Docket No. FAA-2015-0927; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-172-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 8, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Zodiac Aerotechnics (formerly Intertechnique 
Aircraft Systems) flightcrew oxygen mask regulators having part 
number MC10, MF10, and MF20 series, with serial numbers listed in 
Appendix 1 of Zodiac Services Service Bulletin MCF-SBU-35-001, 
Revision 01, dated December 3, 2012. These oxygen mask regulators 
are installed on various transport and small airplanes, certificated 
in any category, including, but not limited to, the airplanes of the 
manufacturers specified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), 
(c)(4), (c)(5), (c)(6), and (c)(7) of this AD. An oxygen mask 
regulator

[[Page 22440]]

having part number MC10-04-127 with serial number 48573 is affected 
only if it is part of part number MSE101-27 with serial number 7521.
    (1) Airbus.
    (2) ATR--GIE Avions de Transport R[eacute]gional.
    (3) The Boeing Company.
    (4) Bombardier, Inc.
    (5) Cessna Aircraft Company.
    (6) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.
    (7) Gulfstream Aerospace LP.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 26, Fire 
Protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that improper maintenance on 
oxygen mask regulators was found. During an inspection of the oxygen 
test bench, incorrect settings were noticed. This test bench setting 
discrepancy on the oxygen mask regulator could cause an improper 
mask dilution schedule. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
affected oxygen mask regulators, which could lead, in case of mask 
usage at or above 10,000 feet after a depressurization event, to the 
inhalation of air with improper content of oxygen, due to the bad 
dilution settings, thereby providing inadequate protection to the 
affected flightcrew against hypoxia. Hypoxia can start from a 
headache and drowsiness and lead eventually to unconsciousness with 
severe consequence in terms of airplane controllability.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect each 
flightcrew oxygen mask regulator to identify the part number and 
serial number, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin MCF-SBU-35-001, Revision 1, dated 
December 3, 2012. A review of airplane maintenance records is 
acceptable to make the determination as specified in this paragraph, 
provided those records can be relied upon for that purpose, and each 
flightcrew oxygen mask regulator can be conclusively identified from 
that review.

(h) Action for Affected Regulators

    If the part number and serial number, identified as required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, are listed in Appendix 1 of Zodiac 
Aerospace Service Bulletin MCF-SBU-35-001, Revision 1, dated 
December 3, 2012, within 30 days after the effective date of this 
AD, accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) 
of this AD.
    (1) Replace each affected flightcrew oxygen mask regulator with 
a part identified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (h)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) A serviceable part, not having a part number and serial 
number listed in Appendix 1 of Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin 
MCF-SBU-35-001, Revision 1, dated December 3, 2012.
    (ii) A part that has been tested and passed the test in 
accordance with paragraph 3.A.(4) of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin MCF-SBU-35-001, Revision 1, 
dated December 3, 2012
    (2) Do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and 
(h)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Revise the Emergency Procedures section of the airplane 
flight manual (AFM) by inserting the statement provided in figure 1 
to paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD. This may be done by inserting a 
copy of figure 1 to paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD into the AFM.

               Figure 1 to Paragraph (h)(2)(i) of This AD
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In case of depressurization, both pilots must use the mask regulator on
 100% demand or Emergency mode only.
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    Note 1 to paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD:  For oxygen over-
consumption, refer to applicable airplane type certificate holder 
limitations, if existing, depending on the airplane configuration 
and/or flight plan.


    Note 2 to paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD:  It is the operators' 
responsibility to assess the operational consequences of the oxygen 
over-consumption and ensure that the operational requirements with 
regard to supplemental oxygen and crew protective breathing 
equipment are still done. Operators are expected to amend, as 
applicable, their operations manual(s) accordingly.

    (ii) Fabricate and install a placard on the flightcrew oxygen 
mask container that states: ``USE SELECTOR on ``100%'' OR 
``EMERGENCY'' ONLY.''

(i) Regulator Replacement

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already accomplished as specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, 
replace each affected flightcrew oxygen mask regulator identified in 
paragraph (h) of this AD with a part identified in paragraph (i)(1) 
or (i)(2) of this AD. After replacement of all affected flightcrew 
oxygen mask regulators on an airplane, the actions specified in 
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD are no longer required, the AFM revision 
specified in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD may be removed from the 
AFM, and the placard identified in paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this AD 
may be removed from the airplane.
    (1) A serviceable part, not having a part number and serial 
number listed in Appendix 1 of Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin 
MCF-SBU-35-001, Revision 1, dated December 3, 2012.
    (2) A part that has been tested and passed the test in 
accordance with paragraph 3.A.(4) of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin MCF-SBU-35-001, Revision 1, 
dated December 3, 2012.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g), (h)(1)(ii), and (i)(2) of this AD, if those actions 
were performed before the effective date of this AD using Zodiac 
Aerospace Service Bulletin MCF-SBU-35-001, dated October 25, 2012, 
which is not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(k) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any 
flightcrew oxygen mask regulator with a part number and serial 
number listed in Appendix 1 of Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin 
MCF-SBU-35-001, Revision 1, dated December 3, 2012, on any airplane, 
unless the regulator has been tested and passed the test, in 
accordance with paragraph 3.A.(4) of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Zodiac Aerospace Service Bulletin MCF-SBU-35-001, Revision 1, 
dated December 3, 2012.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) ANE-150, 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the ACO, send it to ATTN: Ian Lucas, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) ANE-
150, FAA, Engine and Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive 
Park, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7757; fax: 781-238-7170; 
email: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter 
must specifically reference this AD.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0254R1, dated December 21, 
2012, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2015-0927.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Zodiac Services, Technical Publication Department, Zodiac 
Aerotechnics, Oxygen Systems Europe, 61 Rue Pierre Curie--CS20001, 
78373 Plaisir Cedex, France; phone: (33) 01 61 24 23 23; fax: (33) 
01 30 55 71 61; email: [email protected]; Internet:_ 
http://www.zodiacaerospace.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 10, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-09103 Filed 4-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P