NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-90-098
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION: REVIEW AIRLINE MAINTENANCE-RELATED TREND-ANALYSIS PROGRAMS TO VERIFY THAT SUCH PROGRAMS CAN DETECT LEAKING OXYGEN SYSTEMS.
Safety Issue and Context
ON OCTOBER 14,1989, ABOUT 1411 MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME, A FIRE ERUPTED ON N530DA, A BOEING 727-232 THAT HAD BEEN PARKED AT GATE C4 AT SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SLC), SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN OPERATED UNDER TITLE 14 CODE OF FERDERA REGULATIONS (CFR) PART 121 AS DELTA AIR LINES FLIGHT 1558, A SCHEDULED INTERNATIONAL REVENUE PASSENGER FLIGHT FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, TO EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA, WITH A STOP AT SLG. THREE FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS, 4 FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND 12 THROUGH PASSENGERS WHO HAD BOARDED AT LOS ANGELES WERE ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE WHEN THE FIRE ERUPTED.
THE SECOND OFFICER WAS SEATED AT THE FLIGHT ENGINEER'S CONSOLE WHILE THE CAPTAIN AND FIRST OFFICER, WHO HAD JUST ENTERED THE AIR PLANE, WERE STANDING JUST FORWARD OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE COCKPIT. A DELTA AIR LINES MECHANIC WAS IN THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (EE) COMPARTMENT BELOW THE CABIN SERVICING THE PASSENGER OXYGEN SYSTEM.
Response History
March 4, 1993 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
THE BOARD NOTES THAT THE FAA AGREES WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION & HAS ISSUED NOTICE 8300.85, WHICH REQUESTS PRINCIPAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTORS TO ENSURE THAT EACH OPERATOR HAS STRUCTURED ITS MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO BE ABLE TO DETECT ANY LEAKS IN AIRCRAFT OXYGEN SYSTEMS. FURTHERMORE, A FOLLOWUP SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE FAA TO EXAMINE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NOTICE, & NO DEFICIENCIES WERE NOTED. BASED ON THIS INFO, RECOMMENDATION A-90-98 IS CLASSIFIED "CLOSED--ACCEPTABLE ACTION."
August 17, 1992 · Recipient Response · FAA
THE FAA AGREES WITH THIS RECOMMENDATION AND HAS TAKEN ALTERNATE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT EACH OPERATOR'S FAA-APPROVED CONTINUOUS AIRWORTHINESS MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IS STRUCTURED TO DETECT LEAKS IN AIRCRAFT OXYGEN SYSTEMS. NOTICE 8300.85, SERVICING AND MAINTAININ OXYGEN SYSTEMS ON AIR CARRIER AIRCRAFT WHILE PASSENGERS ARE ABOARD, REQUESTS THAT PRINCIPAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTORS ENSURE THAT EACH OPERATOR HAS STRUCTURED ITS MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO BE ABLE TO DETECT ANY LEAKS IN AIRCRAFT OXYGEN SYSTEMS. THE NOTICE ALSO CALLS FOR THE TIME BETWEEN OXYGEN SYSTEM INSPECTION INTERVALS TO BE DECREASED OR THE PERFORMANCE OF A ONE-TIME INSPECTION OF THE OXYGEN SYSTEMS TO BE REQUIRE WHERE NECESSRY.
A SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED TO EXAMINE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NOTICE AND NO DEFICIENCIES WERE NOTED.
February 21, 1991 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
Safety Recommendation A-90-98 states that the FAA should review airline maintenance-related trend-analysis programs to verify that such programs can, and will, detect leaking oxygen systems. The Safety Board notes the FAA agreement to review each operator's maintenance programs to verify that the programs are structured to detect leaking oxygen systems. Pending further information, Safety Recommendation A-90-98 is classified "Open--Acceptable Response."
November 21, 1990 · NTSB Correspondence · FAA
The Safety Board notes that the FAA is reviewing Safety Recommendations A-90-93 through -96 and A-90-98 and -99 and that it will apprise the Safety Board of its course of action. We will hold these safety recommendations in an "Open--Await Response" status.
October 15, 1990 · Recipient Response · FAA
THE FAA AGREES & WILL ADVISE PMI'S TO REVIEW THE OPERATOR'S MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS.
September 6, 1990 · Recipient Response · FAA
"THE FAA IS IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING THESE SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS. I WILL APPRISE THE BOARD OF THE FAA'S COURSE OF ACTION TO ADDRESS EACH OF THESE SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS AS SOON AS THE REVIEW IS COMPLETED."