82 FR 44539 - Airworthiness Directives; Zodiac Aerotechnics, Oxygen Mask Regulators

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 184 (September 25, 2017)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Zodiac Aerotechnics oxygen mask regulators. This proposed AD was prompted by reports that certain silicon harness inflation hoses, installed on certain flight crew quick donning mask harnesses, have shown an unusually high premature rupture rate. This proposed AD would require inspection and replacement of oxygen mask regulator harness inflation hoses. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44539-44541]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20267]


========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 44539]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0505; Product Identifier 2017-NE-15-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Zodiac Aerotechnics, Oxygen Mask 
Regulators

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Zodiac Aerotechnics oxygen mask regulators. This proposed AD 
was prompted by reports that certain silicon harness inflation hoses, 
installed on certain flight crew quick donning mask harnesses, have 
shown an unusually high premature rupture rate. This proposed AD would 
require inspection and replacement of oxygen mask regulator harness 
inflation hoses. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by November 9, 2017.

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.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Zodiac Aerotechnics, 61 rue Pierre Curie BP 1, 78373 Plaisir, CEDEX, 
France; phone: +33 1 6486 6964; email: 
[email protected] or 
[email protected]. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-
238-7125.

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-2017-
0505; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Hulverson, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and Airworthiness Division, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-238-7655; fax: 781-
238-7199; 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-2017-0505; 
Product Identifier 2017-NE-15-AD'' at the beginning of 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 because of 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 
with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2014-0142, Revision 1, dated June 11, 2014 (referred to hereinafter 
as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Recent reported occurrences have shown that for harness hoses P/
N 445952, installed on certain flight crew quick donning mask 
harnesses (also known as `comfort' harness) having P/N MXH21-1, 
suspected silicon batches may have been used during manufacture, 
which have shown an unusually high premature rupture rate. The 
affected P/N MXH21-1 inflatable harness assembly consists of two 
main parts that can be disassembled; the harness itself and the 
harness inflation hose, P/N 445952.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead, in 
case of a sudden depressurization event, to a harness rupture, 
thereby providing inadequate protection against hypoxia of the 
affected flight crew member, possibly resulting in unconsciousness 
and consequent reduced control of the aeroplane.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0505.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Zodiac Aerotechnics has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. MC10-35-
274, Revision 2, dated June 25, 2014. The SB describes procedures for 
inspecting and replacing, if necessary, oxygen mask regulator 
inflatable harnesses. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by EASA, and is approved for 
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement 
with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced 
above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information 
provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists

[[Page 44540]]

and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design. This proposed AD would require inspection and preventive 
replacement, if necessary, of potentially defective oxygen mask 
regulator inflatable harnesses.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects an unknown number of 
oxygen mask regulators installed on, but not limited to, various 
aircraft of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of manufacturing code review.............  0.1 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $0           $8.50
                                                 $8.50.
Hose replacement..............................  0.3 work-hours x $85 per hour =         1,465.00        1,490.50
                                                 $25.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and 
associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards 
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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): Docket No. FAA-2017-
0505; Product Identifier 2017-NE-15-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 9, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Zodiac Aerotechnics MC10 series crew oxygen 
mask regulators fitted with an inflatable harness assembly, part 
number (P/N) MXH20-1 or MXH21-1, fitted with harness inflation hose, 
P/N 445186 or P/N 445952.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3510, Crew Oxygen 
System.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports that certain silicon harness 
inflation hoses, installed on certain flight crew quick donning mask 
harnesses (also known as `comfort' harness), have shown an unusually 
high premature rupture rate. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
harness rupture during a sudden depressurization event that could 
result in hypoxia and subsequent unconsciousness of the affected 
flight crew member, and consequent reduced control of the aircraft.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
determine the date of manufacturing (DMF) code of each inflatable 
harness assembly, P/N MXH20-1 and MXH21-1, fitted to a flight crew 
oxygen mask regulator, having a P/N listed in Section 1.A.(1) of 
Zodiac Aerotechnics Service Bulletin (SB) MC10-35-274, Revision 2, 
dated June 25, 2014. A review of airplane delivery or maintenance 
records is acceptable to make the determination as specified in this 
paragraph, provided those records can be relied upon for that 
purpose, and the DMF of the inflatable harness assembly, P/N MXH20-1 
or P/N MXH21-1, as applicable, can be conclusively identified from 
that review.
    (2) If during the review required by paragraph (g)(1) of this 
AD, the DMF code of the inflatable harness assembly, P/N MXH20-1 or 
P/N MXH21-1, is found to be between 0850-S and 1051-S (inclusive): 
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the 
harness inflation hose, P/N 445186 or P/N 445952, as applicable, 
with a part eligible for installation, or remove the inflatable 
harness assembly from the mask regulator and replace it with an 
inflatable harness assembly eligible for installation.
    (3) An oxygen mask regulator equipped with an inflatable harness 
assembly, P/N MXH20-1 or P/N MXH21-1, having a DMF code of November 
2008 (0845-S or 08/45-S) or earlier, and those with a DMF code of

[[Page 44541]]

January 2011 (1101-S or 11/01-S) or later, is excluded from the 
review and replacement requirements of this AD, provided it can be 
demonstrated that neither the inflatable harness assembly, nor the 
harness inflation hose, P/N 445186 or P/N 445952, as applicable, was 
replaced on that mask. A review of airplane delivery or maintenance 
records is acceptable to make the determination, provided those 
records can be relied upon for that purpose.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    (1) After the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
airplane a flight crew oxygen mask regulator with a P/N listed in 
Planning Information, Section 1.A.(1) of Zodiac Aerotechnics SB 
MC10-35-274, Revision 2, dated June 25, 2014.
    (2) After the effective date of this AD, an inflatable harness 
assembly, with a P/N identified in Section 1.A.(1) of Zodiac 
Aerotechnics SB MC10-35-274, is eligible for installation, provided 
it has been determined that a P/N MXH20-1 or P/N MXH21-1 inflatable 
harness installed on that flight crew oxygen mask regulator has been 
inspected, and re-marked with an ``I'' as required by Material 
Information, Section 2.E. of Zodiac Aerotechnics SB MC10-35-274, 
Revision 2, dated June 25, 2014.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, an inflatable harness 
assembly, with a P/N identified in Section 1.A.(1) of Zodiac 
Aerotechnics SB MC10-35-274, is eligible for installation, provided 
it has been determined that an inflatable harness, P/N MXH21-31, is 
installed, or that the inflatable harness, P/N MXH20-1 or P/N MXH21-
1, installed on that flight crew oxygen mask regulator has been 
corrected, and re-marked with a ``W'' as required by Accomplishment 
Instructions, Section 3.C. of Zodiac Aerotechnics SB MC10-35-274, 
Revision 2, dated June 25, 2014.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, FAA, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, 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 manager of the ACO Branch, 
send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph 
(j)(1) of this AD. You may email your request to: [email protected].
    (2) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Erin Hulverson, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Boston ACO Branch, Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; 
phone: 781-238-7655; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2014-0142, Revision 1, dated June 11, 
2014, for more information. 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-2017-0505.
    (3) Zodiac Aerotechnics SB MC10-35-274, Revision 2, dated June 
25, 2014, can be obtained from Zodiac Aerotechnics, using the 
contact information in paragraph (j)(4) of this proposed AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Zodiac Aerotechnics, 61 rue Pierre Curie BP 1, 78373 
Plaisir, CEDEX, France; phone: +33 1 6486 6964; email: 
[email protected] or 
[email protected].
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and 
Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division, 1200 
District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on September 11, 2017.
Robert J. Ganley,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20267 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P