AD 2010-11-05 Airworthiness Directives; AVOX Systems and B/E Aerospace Oxygen Cylinders as Installed on Various 14 CFR Part 23 and CAR 3 Airplanes

This AD applies to oxygen cylinders with a capacity of 114/115 cubic feet, approved under United States Department of Transportation Regulations for Type 3HT cylinders, identified in Table 1 of this AD. These oxygen cylinders may be installed on various 14 CFR part 23 and CAR 3 airplanes, certificated in any category. The affected oxygen cylinders may be installed as a component of, but not limited to, the AVOX Systems Inc. and B/E Aerospace cylinder assemblies listed in Table 2 of this AD. Table 1—Affected Oxygen Cylinder Serial Numbers (S/N) Cylinder manufacturer Affected S/N AVOX Systems ST82307 through ST82309.   ST82335 through ST82378.   ST82385 through ST82506, except ST82498 (out of service).   ST82550 through ST82606.   ST82617 through ST82626.   ST83896 through ST83905.   ST84209 through ST84218.   ST84224 through ST84236.   ST86138, ST86143, ST86145, ST86150, ST86169, ST86172, and ST86177.   ST86299 through ST86307. B/E Aerospace K495120 through K495121.   K629573 through K629577.   K674451 through K674455. Table 2—Affected Oxygen Cylinder Assembly Part Numbers (P/N) Manufacturer P/Ns AVOX Systems * 6350A34 series, 800112-03, 800112-10, 800112-13, 801293-03, 801307-00, 801307-01, 801307-02, 801307-03, 801307-07, 801307-09, 801307-23, 801307-24, 801365-04, 801365-14, 801375-00, 801977-05, and * 8915 series. ( * For example, 6350A34-X-X or 8915XX-XX, where “X” denotes a P/N digit.) B/E Aerospace 176018-115, 176112-115, 176177-115, 176181-115, and 176529-97.

To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done: (1) Within 60 days after July 6, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the oxygen cylinder installed in the airplane to determine the serial number. The serial number is stamped into the steel cylinder near the neck. A review of airplane records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the serial number of the oxygen cylinder can be positively determined from that review. For any oxygen cylinder that has a serial number identified in Table 1 of this AD, before further flight, remove it from the airplane and replace it with a serviceable oxygen cylinder. Do the inspection and removal following B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 176000-35-01, dated November 2, 2009; and Zodiac Aerospace AVOX Systems, Inc. Service Bulletin 6084-34-35-01, Revision 1, dated December 9, 2009, as applicable. (2) As of July 6, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), do not install on any airplane a United States Department of Transportation Type 3HT oxygen cylinder that has a serial number identified in Table 1 of this AD. Note: United States Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations apply to the shipping of oxygen cylinders. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g) The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: David Hirt, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4050; fax: (816) 329-4090; e-mail: david.hirt@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 176000-35-01, dated November 2, 2009; and Zodiac Aerospace AVOX Systems, Inc. Service Bulletin 6084-34-35-01, Revision 1, dated December 9, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact B/E Aerospace, Inc., Commercial Aircraft Products Group, RGA Department, 10800 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215; telephone: (913) 338-9800; fax: (913) 338-8419; Internet: http://www.beaerospace.com; and AVOX Systems, 225 Erie Street, Lancaster, New York 14086-9502; telephone: (716) 683-5100; fax: (716) 681-1089; Internet: http://www.avoxsys.com, as applicable. (3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768. (4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 13, 2010. Kim Smith, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2010-12173 Filed 5-28-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by the reported rupture of a high-pressure gaseous oxygen cylinder, which had insufficient strength characteristics due to improper heat treatment. We are issuing this AD to prevent an oxygen cylinder from rupturing, which, depending on the location, could result in structural damage and rapid decompression of the airplane, damage to adjacent essential flight equipment, deprivation of the necessary oxygen supply for the flightcrew, and injury to cabin occupants or other support personnel.