Rule2026-03799
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace & Defense Oxygen Systems SaS (Part of Safran Aerosystems) (Formerly Known as Air Liquide) Portable Breathing Equipment (PBE)
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 25, 2026
Effective
March 12, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Aerospace & Defense Oxygen Systems SaS portable breathing equipment (PBE). This AD was prompted by reports of occurrences of PBE not delivering oxygen once donned. This AD requires replacing affected PBE and prohibits the installation of affected PBE. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9137-9140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03799]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0744; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00001-Q;
Amendment 39-23258; AD 2026-03-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace & Defense Oxygen Systems SaS
(Part of Safran Aerosystems) (Formerly Known as Air Liquide) Portable
Breathing Equipment (PBE)
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Aerospace & Defense Oxygen Systems SaS portable breathing
equipment (PBE). This AD was prompted by reports of occurrences of PBE
not delivering oxygen once donned. This AD requires replacing affected
PBE and prohibits the installation of affected PBE. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective March 12, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 12,
2026.
The FAA must receive comments on this AD by April 13, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0744; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ca8b8eb98aafabb9abe4afbfb8a5baabe4afbf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5514112615303426347b3020273a25347b3020">[email protected]</span></a>.
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> For Safran Aerosystems material identified in this AD,
contact Safran Aerosystems, Customer Support & Services, Technical
Publication Department, 61 Rue Pierre Curie, CS20001, 78373 Plaisir
Cedex, France; phone: + 33 (0)1 61 34 23 23; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#add9c8cec580ded8ddddc2dfd983deccc2eddecccbdfccc3cadfc2d8dd83cec2c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="275342444f0a54525757485553095446486754464155464940554852570944484a">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://www.safran-aerosystems.com">www.safran-aerosystems.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0744.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harjot Rana, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-
228-7344; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88b1a5c9dedba5c9c1daa5cac9cbc7a5cbc7dbc8eee9e9a6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e9d0c4a8bfbac4a8a0bbc4aba8aaa6c4aaa6baa98f8888c78e869f">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments
about this final rule. Send your comments using a method listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-0744; Project
Identifier MCAI-2026-00001-Q'' at the beginning of your comments. The
most helpful comments reference a specific portion of
[[Page 9138]]
the final rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and
include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may amend this final rule because of those
comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this final rule.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Harjot
Rana, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7344; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#10293d5146433d5159423d5251535f3d535f43507671713e777f66"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="350c1874636618747c67187774767a18767a66755354541b525a43">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2025-0297, dated December 23, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0297) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for certain Aerospace & Defense Oxygen Systems SaS
PBE. The MCAI states there have been occurrences of PBE not delivering
oxygen once donned. Following investigation, a manufacturing issue has
been identified, affecting certain PBE. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could lead to flight or cabin crewmember incapacitation,
possibly affecting crewmember capability to accomplish tasks during an
emergency, or resulting in fatal injury to that crewmember.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0744.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0297, which specifies procedures for
replacing affected PBE and prohibiting the installation of affected
PBE. EASA AD 2025-0297 also allows deferring the requirements as
specified in the applicable aircraft master minimum equipment list
(MMEL) under certain conditions. EASA AD 2025-0297 also mandates a life
limit for the affected PBE.
The FAA also reviewed Appendix A of Safran Aerosystems Service
Bulletin 1540F-35-002, Revision 01, dated January 5, 2026, which
identifies the affected PBE. (The affected PBE are listed in an xlsx
file, modified January 5, 2026, 8:51 p.m. UTC+01:00, which is digitally
attached to the Safran service bulletin as the content of Appendix A.)
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and material referenced above. The FAA is issuing
this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Requirements of This AD
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA AD
2025-0297 described previously, except for any differences identified
as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. See ``Clarification of
Required Actions in the MCAI'' for a discussion of the general
differences included in this AD.
Clarification of Required Actions in the MCAI
Although paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0297 provides compliance
times (i.e., 14 days or 3 months, as applicable) to replace affected
PBE, paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0297 mandates a life limit for the
affected PBE. The affected PBE have a life limit of 10 years (120
months). The life limit in paragraph (4) of the EASA AD 2025-0297 takes
precedence over the compliance times in paragraph (1) of the EASA AD
2025-0297 (i.e., you do not get to use the 14 day or 3-month compliance
time for replacement if the affected PBE is over the life limit).
Therefore, the FAA has added paragraph (h)(3) to this AD to clarify the
required actions.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result,
EASA AD 2025-0297 is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD
requires compliance with EASA AD 2025-0297 in its entirety through that
incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in
the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as
the heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2025-0297 does not mean
that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where
the AD requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance
times,'' compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the
section titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD
2025-0297. Material required by EASA AD 2025-0297 for compliance will
be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-0744 after
this AD is published.
Justification for Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective
Date
Section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C.
551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment
procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds that
those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the
public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days,
upon a finding of good cause.
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this
[[Page 9139]]
rule because there are reports of occurrences of PBE not delivering
oxygen once donned, which could lead to flight or cabin crewmember
incapacitation, possibly affecting crewmember capability to accomplish
tasks during an emergency, or resulting in fatal injury to that
crewmember. The PBE are designed to protect the user's eyes and
respiratory tract in a contaminated atmosphere, which provides the
ability to locate and combat a fire, and for the ability for the
flightcrew to continue to control the airplane. Additionally, the
compliance time in this AD is shorter than the time necessary for the
public to comment and for publication of the final rule. Accordingly,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and
contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days,
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and
comment.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment,
RFA analysis is not required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 2,642 appliances installed
on various aircraft.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..... Up to $2,500........... Up to $2,585........... Up to $6,829,570*.
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* It is unknown how many of the 2,642 appliances are still installed on U.S.-registered aircraft as some
appliances have exceeded the 10-year maximum life limit.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States,
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866, and
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2026-03-09 Aerospace & Defense Oxygen Systems SaS (Part of Safran
Aerosystems) (Formerly Known as Air Liquide): Amendment 39-23258;
Docket No. FAA-2026-0744; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00001-Q.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 12, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Aerospace & Defense Oxygen Systems SaS (part
of Safran Aerosystems) (formerly known as Air Liquide) portable
breathing equipment (PBE), part number (P/N) 15-40F-11 and P/N 15-
40F-80, having a manufacturing date between March 2015 and March
2017 (inclusive), and having a serial number listed in Appendix A
(modified January 5, 2026, 8:51 p.m. UTC+01:00) of Safran
Aerosystems Service Bulletin 1540F-35-002, Revision 01, dated
January 5, 2026. These PBE are eligible for installation on any
aircraft and may have been installed during the aircraft
manufacturing process (production line), or in-service modification,
either through a supplemental type certificate, or using type
certificate holder (TCH) approved modification instructions, or
through a non-TCH modification approval.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of occurrences of PBE not
delivering oxygen once donned. Following investigation, a
manufacturing issue has been identified, affecting certain PBE. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address affected PBE. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could lead to flight or cabin
crewmember incapacitation, possibly affecting crewmember capability
to accomplish tasks during an emergency, or resulting in fatal
injury to that crewmember.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2025-0297, dated December 23, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0297).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0297
(1) Where EASA AD 2025-0297 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where the definition of affected PBE in EASA AD 2025-0297
specifies ``having
[[Page 9140]]
manufacturing date between November 2015 and March 2017 (inclusive),
and a s/n as listed in Appendix A of the SB'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``having a manufacturing date between March
2015 and March 2017 (inclusive), and a serial number listed in
Appendix A (modified January 5, 2026, 8:51 p.m. UTC+01:00) of Safran
Aerosystems Service Bulletin 1540F-35-002, Revision 01, dated
January 5, 2026''.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2025-0297 specifies ``Replace
the affected PBE'', this AD requires replacing that text with
``Except as required by paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2025-0297, replace
the affected PBE''.
(4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0297.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b6f7fbf9f5f6d0d7d798d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="71303c3e32311710105f161e07">[email protected]</span></a>. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Harjot Rana,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7344; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#31081c7067621c7078631c7370727e1c727e62715750501f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="576e7a1601047a161e057a151614187a1418041731363679303821">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0297,
dated December 23, 2025.
(ii) Safran Aerosystems Service Bulletin 1540F-35-002, Revision
01, dated January 5, 2026, including the Appendix A digital
attachment, modified January 5, 2026, 8:51 p.m. UTC+01:00.
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6f2e2b1c2f0a0e1c0e410a1a1d001f0e410a1a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0544417645606476642b6070776a75642b6070">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) For Safran Aerosystems material identified in this AD,
contact Safran Aerosystems, Customer Support & Services, Technical
Publication Department, 61 Rue Pierre Curie, CS20001, 78373 Plaisir
Cedex, France; phone: + 33 (0)1 61 34 23 23; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#542031373c79272124243b26207a27353b1427353226353a33263b21247a373b39"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e3a2b2d26633d3b3e3e213c3a603d2f210e3d2f283c2f20293c213b3e602d2123">[email protected]</span></a>; website: <a href="http://www.safran-aerosystems.com">www.safran-aerosystems.com</a>.
(5) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(6) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b1d09551215080b1e180f1214153b151a091a551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b2d39652225383b2e283f2224250b252a392a652c243d">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on February 23, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03799 Filed 2-23-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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