Calendar Inspection

239.412 Figue 5-23.—Pneumatic rescue hand tool. attachment to the pneumatic rescue hand tool. (See figure 5-23.) The pneumatic rescue hand tool is designed for helicopter rescue crewman to use during air/sea rescue operations. The pneumatic rescue hand tool gives the crewman a readily available cable cutter and parachute harness webbing cutter. The tool can cut single strands of stainless steel cable up to 7/32 inch in diameter as well as harness webbing of thickness up to and including 1/4 inch and widths up to 1 3/4 inch, in single cuts. The pneumatic rescue hand tool, complete with case, should be readily available to the rescue crewman during rescue operations. Maintenance The aircrewman’s maintenance of the pneu- matic rescue hand tool is limited to a freshwater rinse. Repairs or other required are done by maintenance or above. maintenance action organizational-level Calendar Inspection The pneumatic rescue hand tool is in- spected upon issue and at intervals not to exceed 225 days. The calendar inspection con- sists of a visual inspection and a functional test. To perform a visual inspection, proceed as follows: 1. Inspect all parts for corrosion, cracks, wear, and any other defects. 2. Inspect blade for sharpness. Sharpen, using an appropriate whetstone, or replace as necessary. 3. Inspect the anvil for scored surface. The functional test consists of the following tasks: 1. Leakage test. To perform a leakage test, proceed as follows: a. Pressurize the hand tool to 3,000 psi with a nitrogen cartridge. b. Immerse the pressurized hand tool in fresh water and rotate the tool in three directions to eliminate any trapped air in external pockets. c. Any leakage after 1 minute indicates a defective seal of the component from which the gas is escaping. Replace seals as necessary. 2. Trigger force test. To perform a trigger force test, proceed as follows: a. Mount the pressurized hand tool in an appropriate fixture, cradle or V-block. b. Using a push-pull scale, measure the trigger force necessary to actuate the blade on the first stroke. The force is applied midway on the finger area of the trigger. Two thicknesses of Type XIII, MIL-W-4088C, webbing should be cut. The trigger force is between 5 and 20 pounds. Trigger force outside this range indicates the need for repair of the trigger (forward) valve or the trigger assembly. 3. Performance. To conduct a performance test, proceed as follows: a. Cut a double thickness of webbing, and with the trigger in the depressed position, immerse the hand tool in water. b. Any leakage after 1 minute of immersion indicates the piston seal leaks or the exhaust (rear) valve leaks. c. Make 10 additional double webbing cuts. After the tenth cut, with the trigger depressed, immerse the hand tool in water. 5-23