AD 2011-14-08 Airworthiness Directives; B/E Aerospace, Continuous Flow Passenger Oxygen Mask Assembly, Part Numbers 174006-( ), 174080-( ), 174085-( ), 174095-( ), 174097-( ), and 174098-( )

This AD applies to B/E Aerospace, Continuous Flow Passenger Oxygen Mask Assembly; Part Numbers 174006-( ), 174080-( ), 174085-( ), 174095-( ), 174097-( ), and 174098-( ) as listed in B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010, that are installed on any aircraft except for those Boeing airplanes specified in the ADs referenced in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), and (b)(5) of this AD. Note 1: The service bulletin lists the part numbers with a suffix of “XX.” The TSO Index lists the part numbers with the suffix of “( ).” For the purposes of this AD, we have used “( ).”

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Records Check/Inspection (g) Within 36 months after August 19, 2011 (the effective date of this AD) or within 6,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) after August 19, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, do the following: (1) Do a records check to determine if any oxygen mask assembly part number listed in B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010, is installed in the aircraft. (i) If you cannot positively determine the manufacturer and part number of any oxygen mask assembly installed, do a general visual inspection to determine if any oxygen mask assembly part number listed in B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev. 000, dated September 6, 2010, is installed in the aircraft. (ii) If you can positively determine that no oxygen mask assembly part number listed in B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010, is installed, no further action is required by this AD. (iii) If you can positively determine that any Airbus airplane affected by this AD is in compliance with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2010-0165, dated August 5, 2010, or EASA AD 2010-0165R1, correction dated January 31, 2011, and that no oxygen mask assembly part number listed in B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010 is installed by STC or alteration, no further action is required by this AD. (iv) If you can positively determine through inspection of the oxygen mask container assembly that the date of manufacture is after March 1, 2006, and you can verify that the original oxygen masks in the container assembly are installed, no further action is required by this AD. (2) If, as a result of any of the records checks/inspections required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, you determine that an oxygen mask assembly part number listed in B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010, is installed, inspect the oxygen mask assembly to determine if the in-line flow indicator must be replaced following paragraph II.A. of B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010. If you can positively determine that the in-line flow indicator does not require replacement, no further action is required by this AD. Modification/Replacement (h) After the inspection in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD and it was determined the in-line flow indicator must be replaced, within 36 months after August 19, 2011 (the effective date of this AD) or within 6,500 hours TIS after August 19, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, modify the oxygen mask assembly by replacing the in-line flow indicator following B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010. As an alternative to modifying the oxygen mask assembly, you may replace the oxygen mask assembly with an airworthy oxygen mask assembly FAA-approved for installation on the aircraft. Parts Installation (i) As of August 19, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), do not install a B/E Aerospace oxygen mask having a part number listed in B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010, with a manufacturing date on or after January 1, 2002, and before March 1, 2006, on any aircraft, unless it has been modified following the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (j)(1) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 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 manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your Principal Maintenance Inspector or Principal Avionics Inspector, as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. Related Information (k) For more information about this AD, contact David Fairback, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, FAA, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4154; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail: david.fairback@faa.gov. (l) For service information identified in this AD, contact B/E Aerospace, 10800 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215; telephone: (913) 338-9800; fax: (913) 469-8419; Internet: http://www.beaerospace.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. Material Incorporated by Reference (m) You must use B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-04, Rev 000, dated September 6, 2010, 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 the 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, 10800 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215; telephone: (913) 338-9800; fax: (913) 469-8419; Internet: http://www.beaerospace.com. (3) You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 816-329-4148. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, 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 July 1, 2011. Earl Lawrence, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-17205 Filed 7-14-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by a report that several oxygen mask assemblies with broken in-line flow indicators were found following a mask deployment. We are issuing this AD to prevent the in-line flow indicators of the oxygen mask assembly from fracturing and separating, which could inhibit oxygen flow to the masks. This condition could consequently result in occupants developing hypoxia following a depressurization event.