EASA AD US-2018-09-12
Oxygen - Low-Pressure Passenger Oxygen System - Replacement / Inspection
Summary
Airworthiness Directive 2018-09-12 issued by the Federal Aviation Administration addresses certain Boeing 747-200B, 747-300, and 747-400 series airplanes equipped with therapeutic oxygen in the gaseous passenger oxygen system. The directive mandates replacement of specific low-pressure oxygen flex-hoses with new non-conductive versions and requires a general visual inspection to verify minimum clearance of oxygen system components from adjacent structures. This directive aims to prevent potential oxygen-fed fires caused by electrical short circuits affecting the oxygen flex-hoses.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory replacement of low-pressure oxygen flex-hoses in the passenger oxygen system with non-conductive hoses and requires a visual inspection to ensure proper clearance from surrounding structures. It addresses an unsafe condition not previously covered for the passenger oxygen system, expanding on earlier directives that focused on the flightcrew oxygen system.
Why It Matters
The directive is critical for aviation professionals because it mitigates the risk of oxygen-fed fires in the passenger cabin due to electrical faults causing flex-hose burn-through. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure compliance to maintain aircraft safety and airworthiness, preventing potentially catastrophic incidents related to oxygen system failures.
What To Do
Operators of affected Boeing 747-200B, 747-300, and 747-400 series airplanes must replace the specified low-pressure oxygen flex-hoses with non-conductive assemblies and conduct a general visual inspection of the oxygen system components for adequate clearance. These actions must be completed by May 30, 2018, the effective date of the directive. Additionally, stakeholders should review Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2134 for detailed procedures and comply with all required steps.
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