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.
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