AD 97-11-10 Airworthiness Directives; Puritan Bennett Aero Systems Company Series 174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-44, and 174290-54

Series 174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290- 44, and 174290-54, that have a manufacturing date between September 1992 to August 1996; utilized in aircraft that are certificated in any category. Note 1. The part number and date of manufacture of these masks are located on the oxygen mask gas bag. These oxygen masks are the portable type as opposed to the drop-down design. Note 2. This AD applies to aircraft equipped with an oxygen mask that is identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether a mask has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For aircraft utilizing the oxygen masks that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required within the next 7 days after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent restricted oxygen flow, which, if not corrected, could cause serious injury to a passenger in need of emergency or first aid oxygen during flight, accomplish the following: (a) Remove any passenger oxygen mask with the applicable part number and manufacturing date and replace with an FAA-approved oxygen mask that incorporates a part number not covered by this AD. Note 3. Nellcor Puritan Bennett Immediate Service Bulletin No. 174290-35-1, Original Issue: March 1997, contains information relating to this subject. (b) After the effective date of this AD, no person may equip an aircraft with any Puritan Bennett Series 174290 Constant Flow Airline Portable Oxygen Masks, Part Numbers 174290-14, 174290-24, 174290-34, 174290-44, and 174290-54, that have a manufacturing date between September 1992 to August 1996. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Rm. 100, Mid-Continent Airport, Wichita, Kansas 67209. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office. Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from Wichita Aircraft Certification Office. (d) Information related to this AD may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (e) This amendment (39-10039) becomes effective on June 23, 1997. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 21, 1997. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 97-13963 Filed 5-28-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U