in  an  ejection  or  fired,  regardless  of  apparent condition,  are  prohibited  from  reuse,  and  must be   disposed   of   as   directed   by   OPNAVINST 4790.2 (series), OPNAVINST 3750.6 (series), and the  applicable  CAD  and  rocket  manual. Because of the extreme stress and strain to the ejection   seats   and   escape   system   components during  ejection,  they  cannot  be  reused.  This  stress could  reduce  the  structural  or  mechanical  re- liability  of  these  items.  In  the  case  of  an inadvertent  firing  of  a  cartridge  or  CAD,  all contaminated ballistic lines and devices must be replaced  because  of  the  corrosive  nature  of  the explosive. The  service-life  of  wire-braid,  Teflon^® -lined hoses installed in ballistic applications is the same as that of the aircraft in which it is installed, unless it is used. A hose is considered to be used if the device  to  which  it  is  attached  is  fired,  either intentionally  or  accidentally.  If  this  occurs,  the hose  and  related  fittings  must  be  replaced.  Before you install a hose or fitting (line, elbow, T, etc.) make  sure  that  it  is  not  contaminated  with  hy- draulic  fluid,  oil,  or  a  similar  type  of  contaminant. All hoses in the escape system must be inspected for  accidental  damage  at  every  phased  inspection, upon  seat  removal,  after  removal  of  any  part  of the  escape  system,  and  for  disconnection  of  any hose. When CADs are not installed in an aircraft, the  inlet  and  outlet  ports  must  be  sealed  with protective  closures  to  prevent  the  entrance  of moisture  and  foreign  matter.  For  shipping purposes, the safety pins and protective closures provided  with  the  replacement  CAD  must  be returned with the replaced CAD to ensure it is in a  safe  condition  during  handling  and  storage. During  ejection  system  maintenance  actions,  all disconnected CADs and associated ballistic lines must be protected with flexible plastic plugs that conform  to  MIL-C-5501/10A  and  flexible  plastic caps   that   conform   to   MIL-C-5501/11.   NAV- AIR  11-100-1.1  provides  information  relating  to these caps and plugs, Cartridges   are   carefully   designed   and manufactured,  but  their  performance  in  cartridge- actuated  devices  is  dependable  only  when  they have been properly handled and installed. Care must  be  observed  to  maintain  the  devices  in perfect   condition. Since individual cartridges cannot be tested, the responsibility for proper functioning is in the hands  of  the  supervisor  and  the  personnel  who maintain them. The quality and reliability of an ejection  system  are  largely  dependent  on  the supervisors and the mechanics who maintain the systems. Supervisors  take  note.  Nothing  is  foolproof because  fools  are  so  ingenious.  Personal  safety for those who work around ejection seats cannot be  guaranteed.  A  high  level  of  safety  can  be achieved  if  personnel  have  the  proper  attitude, understanding,  training,  and  most  importantly adequate  supervision.  Unless  proper  maintenance procedures  are  followed  exactly,  even  the  most routine ejection seat maintenance tasks can grow drastically out of proportion and bring about an accident   or   injury.   Education   of   the   workers involved is the best assurance for personnel safety. The workers should be made aware of potential hazards   and   the   proper   means   of   protecting themselves.  Workers  should  be  assigned  tasks according  to  their  capabilities. Reporting All  malfunctions,  discrepancies,  and  accidents involving CADs must be reported by message to the   Naval   Ordnance   Station,   Indian   Head, Maryland,   in   accordance   with   OPNAVINST 4790.2 (series). If the suspected defect is with the CAD,   the   message   must   be   addressed   to NAVORDSTA  for  action.  If  the  report  describes an  inadvertent  actuation  of  an  aircraft  system resulting  in  the  CAD  functioning  normally,  the action  copy  of  the  report  must  be  submitted  to the cognizant field activity (CFA) for the aircraft with   an   information   copy   to   NAVORDSTA, Indian Head, Maryland. Accidents and incidents involving   CADs   may   require   reporting   in accordance with OPNAVINST 3750.6 in addition to  the  OPNAVINST  4790.2  (series).  Submission of  the  reports  required  by  the  maintenance instruction  does  not  satisfy  the  requirements  of the   safety   instruction.   If   dual   reporting   is required,  you  should  ensure  the  reports  are adequately   cross-referenced   to   satisfy   the requirements  of  all  commands  involved. All  CADs  suspected  of  being  discrepant, malfunctioning,  or  involved  in  an  accident  or incident must be clearly identified and turned in to  the  station  or  ship’s  ordnance  or  weapons department. These CADs must be marked “hold for  30  days  for  engineering  investigation  (EI) pending   disposition   instructions.”   The   report should  contain  the  turn-in  document  number,  and it should identify the activity holding the material. If CFA response is requested, NAVORDSTA will respond  with  complete  disposition  and  shipping instructions. 1-11