USAF Rivet Joint Fire Investigation Flaw
A glaring error contained throughout the AIB report refers the RC-135 oxygen system as a high pressure system. There is no high pressure oxygen system in the RC-135. The RC-135 contains a liquid oxygen system. The normal operating pressure of a multiplace liquid oxygen system is 300 psi. One crewmwmber stated that the oxygen pressure was, "...right around 325-350, likes it's suposed to be. (Ref. Accident Investigation Board Report at TAB R-115) Furthermore, in the RC-135, there is neither a shutoff valve, nor a quick disconnect to isolate the LOX converters from the rest of the oxygen system in the event of an oxygen leak. So, in this accident, three 25 liter LOX converters potentially emptied 64500 liters of gaseous oxygen into the cabin. (One liter of LOX equates to 860 liters of gaseous oxygen.)
T.O. 00-25-223 classifies airborne pressure systems in the following manner:
Low Pressure: 0 to 500 psi
Medium Pressure: 501 to 3,000 psi
High Pressure: 3,000 to 10,000 psi
Ultra High Pressure: Above 10,000psi
Lordflasheart stated: "Haven't found any reference to the use of locking wire on the oxygen system unions in the accident report yet, but still reading ..... Perhaps it isn't used (any more) ???"
Answer: B-nuts used on hose and tube assemblies, including oxygen systems, do not normally contain holes to accomodate locking wire. Perhaps they should.
Last edited by cpants; 21st Oct 2015 at 20:53.
Reason: Accurate representation of the factual data.