Action
Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of comment period.
Summary
We are revising an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Model A318 series airplanes, and Model A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes. The NPRM proposed identifying the part number and serial number of each passenger oxygen container, replacing the oxygen generator manifold of the affected oxygen container with a serviceable manifold, and performing an operational check of the manual mask release, and corrective actions if necessary. The NPRM was prompted by reports of silicon particles inside the oxygen generator manifolds, which had chafed from the mask hoses during installation onto the generator outlets. This action revises the NPRM by adding airplanes to the applicability, adding a new check for part numbers, corrective actions if necessary, and reducing the compliance time for certain actions. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct non- serviceable oxygen generator manifolds, which could reduce or block the oxygen supply and result in injury to passengers when oxygen supply is needed. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.