Overview
Title
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The FAA says that some boxes that store pilot oxygen masks on certain airplanes might not be put together right, which could stop oxygen from getting to pilots, so they need to be checked and possibly fixed to keep everyone safe.
Summary AI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, due to problems with crew oxygen mask stowage boxes. This directive mandates the inspection and possible replacement of certain stowage boxes that may have been assembled incorrectly, posing a risk of blocked oxygen flow, which could potentially lead to pilot oxygen deprivation and loss of plane control. The directive takes effect on February 22, 2021, and comments are due by March 22, 2021. The AD implements procedures specified in an emergency directive by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of deviations concerning the assembly and overhaul of certain crew oxygen mask stowage boxes, including incorrect application of a certain thread-locker on the fitting sensor screws. This AD requires an inspection of certain crew oxygen mask stowage boxes for discrepancies, and replacement if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently issued a new airworthiness directive concerning all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This directive responds to problems identified in the assembly and overhaul of crew oxygen mask stowage boxes. These issues, including improper use of a thread-locker on certain screws, could potentially block oxygen flow to pilots during flight, a situation that may lead to serious safety risks such as hypoxia and loss of aircraft control. The directive comes into effect on February 22, 2021, and stakeholders are invited to comment by March 22, 2021. The FAA’s action follows guidance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding the urgency and nature of the corrections needed.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One of the primary issues with this directive is the lack of detail regarding the estimated costs involved in compliance. Although the document indicates that some of these costs might be covered under warranty, there is no precise financial estimation provided. Aircraft operators, especially smaller ones, may find it challenging to plan financially without this data.
The reasoning behind the FAA’s decision to waive the typical notice and comment period prior to the rule’s adoption is given as a response to the urgent safety risk. However, the document does not fully communicate how exactly these risks were assessed, which might leave stakeholders questioning the agency’s process.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
For the general public, especially frequent flyers, the directive showcases the FAA’s proactive stance in ensuring aviation safety. It can assure travelers that appropriate measures are being taken to rectify potential safety threats in aircraft operations.
Aircraft operators and manufacturers are the primary stakeholders impacted by this directive. For them, the directive might imply immediate operational and financial concerns, particularly if replacements or repairs are extensive and not covered adequately by warranties. Simultaneously, compliance ensures the airplanes remain safe and reliable, thereby protecting not just passengers but also the financial and reputational aspects of airlines and manufacturers.
However, the document’s technical and regulatory language might be challenging for individuals or organizations without a legal or aviation background to comprehend. It references multiple documents such as the "EASA Emergency AD 2021-0036-E," without providing simple instructions on how these inspections and replacements should be conducted, which may lead to confusion.
Conclusion
The directive’s intention is to fortify safety standards within the aviation industry, particularly concerning a critical component—the crew oxygen masks. While the FAA’s swift action underscores a commitment to safety, more accessible documentation and clarity on procedural and financial implications would benefit all affected parties. Furthermore, additional transparency on risk assessment could strengthen stakeholder trust in such regulatory actions.
Issues
• The document does not specify the estimated cost of compliance, just mentioning the number of affected airplanes and that some costs may be covered under warranty.
• There is no clear information provided on how the FAA determined the risk to justify waiving notice and comment before adopting the rule.
• The rationale for making the amendment effective in less than 30 days is explained but could be clearer about the specific compliance time that urged this decision.
• The document uses complex regulatory language and references multiple documents (e.g., EASA Emergency AD 2021-0036-E), which might be difficult for those without a legal or aviation background to fully understand without further clarification.
• There is a lack of detailed procedural explanation for how the inspections and replacements should be conducted beyond reference to the EASA AD.
• The provision about amendments by public comments seems to contradict the statement about waiving notice due to urgency, potentially causing confusion.
• Instructions on how to view incorporated materials might be unclear to some, as it lists multiple contacts and internet resources without specifying the easiest path to access the necessary documents.