Airworthiness Directive : Federal Aviation Administration orders inspection of 2,600 Boeing 737s over oxygen mask issue.

• The FAA mandates inspections for 2,600 Boeing 737 airplanes due to potential oxygen mask malfunctions during emergencies.
• The directive follows reports of PSU oxygen generators shifting, possibly hindering supplemental oxygen during depressurization.
• Ensuring the reliability of oxygen masks is critical for passenger safety in emergency situations.
• On the subject matter, Boeing had earlier advised airlines to conduct visual inspections via a Service Bulletin.

The U.S.A. Aviation regulator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has on Monday mandated the inspection of 2,600 Boeing B737 aircraft models over the concern that oxygen masks could fail during an emergency.

This FAA airworthiness directive, has been in place in response to multiple reports indicating that passenger service unit (PSU) oxygen generators have been shifting out of position, which could prevent the supply of supplemental oxygen during a depressurization event.

The FAA has mandated the inspections for B737 MAX and NG planes after reports of passenger service unit oxygen generators shifting out of place, potentially preventing passengers from receiving supplemental oxygen during a depressurization event.

• Aircraft operators must replace or reposition defective oxygen generators.  
• FAA prohibits installing potentially defective parts in Boeing 737s.  
• Boeing issued a bulletin on June 17 calling for visual inspections.

The FAA's new directive is in effect immediately, requiring inspections and fixes within 120 to 150 days, depending on the 737 model. The FAA also bans airlines from using potentially faulty parts.

Prior to the issuance of this airworthiness directive, Boeing issued a service bulletin to airlines on June 17, recommending visual inspections of certain components, as per the FAA directive.

According to the FAA, aircraft operators must conduct a general visual inspection and if needed replace oxygen generators with new or serviceable oxygen generators, strap thermal pads and reposition impacted oxygen generators.

The "airworthiness directive," which is equivalent to a legally enforceable regulation, though not rare in nature, given the circumstances recently, is the latest woe for Boeing after the company accepted a guilty plea in what many have termed a "sweetheart deal" with the Department of Justice (DOJ) early on Monday.

You may like to read......