Independent accreditation of oxygen cylinders facilities

The operator has advised the ATSB that their engineering component workshop has embarked upon a program of equipment replacement and staff training re-validation, with an estimated completion date of 15 November 2010.

The program includes:

• inspection and certification of new hydrostatic test equipment by a US DOT-certified inspector
• re-validation of the training of seven existing cylinder test workshop staff by a DOT-certified authority
• training of three new cylinder test workshop staff by a DOT-certified authority.

Accepted

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau encourages all organisations performing inspection, testing, maintenance and repair activities on aviation oxygen cylinders, to note the circumstances detailed in this preliminary report, with a view to ensuring that all relevant procedures, equipment, techniques and personnel qualifications satisfy the applicable regulatory requirements and established engineering best practices.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau encourages all organisations performing inspection, testing, maintenance and repair activities on aviation oxygen cylinders, to note the circumstances detailed in this report, with a view to ensuring that all facilities establish and maintain independent external accreditation of their procedures, processes and equipment.

N/A

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau encourages other operators of transport category aircraft fitted with pressurised gaseous oxygen systems, to note the circumstances detailed in this preliminary report, with a view to ensuring that all oxygen cylinders, and cylinder installations, are maintained in full accordance with the relevant manufacturer's requirements, statutory regulations, and established engineering best practices.