EASA AD 2024-0186
Oxygen — Crew Oxygen Cylinder Assembly — Inspection / Replacement
Summary
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2024-0186 is an airworthiness directive addressing oxygen crew cylinder assemblies on Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes. It mandates inspection and replacement of specific oxygen cylinder assemblies with part numbers 4441227-058-000 and 4441227-058-001 due to a design defect causing loss of retention of the regulator inlet filter retainer. The directive applies to all manufacturer serial numbers of these aircraft models.
What Changed
This directive supersedes EASA AD 2019-0168 and introduces a requirement to replace all affected oxygen cylinder assemblies with a redesigned part having part number 4441227-058-002 or later approved parts. It retains previous inspection requirements and expands corrective actions to ensure the unsafe condition is fully addressed by mandating replacement rather than just inspection and conditional replacement.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a safety risk involving potential ignition or fire during ground operational testing caused by detached filter retainers inside oxygen cylinders. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure compliance to prevent hazardous conditions and maintain aircraft airworthiness. Non-compliance could result in unsafe operation and regulatory penalties.
What To Do
Operators of Airbus A350-941 and A350-1041 aeroplanes must inspect affected oxygen cylinder assemblies within six months after 30 July 2019 if not already done, replace any defective parts before next flight, and complete replacement of all affected parts with redesigned parts within 66 months after 8 October 2024. Installation of affected parts is restricted according to the directive until modification is completed.