The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the FAA

Citation

(2009), "The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the FAA", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781fab.011

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that the FAA

Article Type:Safety topics and notes From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 21, Issue 6

Require operators to replace electrically conductive combustible oxygen hoses with electrically nonconductive hoses so that the internal hose spring cannot be energised (A-09-43).

Prohibit the use of electrically conductive combustible oxygen hoses unless the conductivity of the hose is an intentional and approved parameter in the design (A-09-44).

Formalize the airworthiness directive process so that, when an aircraft manufacturer or other source identifies an airworthiness issue with an appliance, co-ordination with the appliance manufacturer occurs to ensure that the possible safety risks to all products using the appliance are evaluated and addressed (A-09-45).

Require aeroplane manufacturers and modifiers to provide positive separation between electrical wiring and oxygen system tubing according to, at a minimum, the guidance in Advisory Circular (AC) 43.13-1A, “Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices – Aircraft Inspection and Repair,” and AC 65-15, “Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics Airframe Handbook.” (A-09-46).

Require aeroplane manufacturers and operators to ensure that oxygen system tubing in proximity to electrical wiring is made of, sleeved with, or coated with non-conductive material or that the tubing is otherwise physically isolated from potential electrical sources (A-09-47).

Develop minimum electrical grounding requirements for oxygen system components and include these requirements as part of the certification process for new aeroplanes and approved STC modifications to existing aeroplanes (A-09-48).

Once electrical grounding requirements for oxygen system components are developed, as requested in Safety Recommendation A-09-48, require aeroplane operators and modifiers to inspect their aeroplanes for compliance with these criteria and modify those aeroplanes not in compliance accordingly (A-09-49).

Develop inspection criteria or service life limits for flexible oxygen hoses to ensure that they meet current certification and design standards (A-09-50).

Once inspection criteria or service life limits for flexible oxygen hoses have been developed, as requested in Safety Recommendation A-09-50, require aeroplane operators to replace those hoses that do not meet the inspection criteria or that exceed the service life limits (A-09-51).

Require transport-category aeroplane operators to:

• •

  perform a one-time inspection of all passenger service unit reading lights installed on their aeroplanes to ensure that they include rubber boots or use other means to isolate the electrical parts of the assembly; and

• •

  include, in maintenance manuals or other maintenance documentation, information about the importance of this electrical protection (A-09-52).

Require operators of transport-category cargo aeroplanes to install smoke detectors in the supernumerary or similar compartment of their aeroplanes (A-09-53).

Also, the National Transportation Safety Board reiterates the following recommendation to the FAA.

Provide guidance to aircraft rescue and fire fighting personnel on the best training methods to obtain and maintain proficiency with the high-reach extendable turret with skin-penetrating nozzle (A-07-100).