Airworthiness directives: Dassault,

[Federal Register: February 15, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 31)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 7874-7876]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr15fe06-10]

Proposed Rules Federal Register

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

[[Page 7874]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-23886; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-255-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 900EX Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Model Falcon 900EX airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting the number 2 engine left- and right-hand forward mounts for missing rivets and installing rivets if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of two missing rivets in the front section of the central engine mast discovered on airplanes in service and in production. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct missing rivets in the front section of the central engine mast, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the central engine mast, possible separation of the engine from the airplane during flight, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 17, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this proposed AD.

DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.

Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.

Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606, for service information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006- 23886; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-255-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov , including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of that web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov , or in person at the Docket Management Facility office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647- 5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Dassault Model Falcon 900EX airplanes. The DGAC advises that it has received reports of two missing rivets in the front section of the central engine mast discovered on airplanes in service and in production. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the central engine mast, possible separation of the engine from the airplane during flight, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F900EX-220, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the number 2 engine left- and right-hand forward mounts for missing rivets and installing new rivets if there are missing rivets. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness directive F- 2005-066, dated April 27, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are

[[Page 7875]]

certificated for operation in the United States.

Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Type

Neither the French airworthiness directive nor the service bulletin defines the type of inspection that should be done for missing rivets. We have determined that the procedures in the service bulletin should be described as a ``general visual inspection.'' Note 2 has been included in this AD to define this type of inspection.

Costs of Compliance

The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

Estimated Costs

Number of Average Cost per

U.S.- Action

Work hours labor rate airplane registered Fleet cost per hour

airplanes

Inspection for missing rivets.............

2

$65

$130

81 $10,530

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed regulation:

1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and

3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

   We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

   List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

   Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

   The Proposed Amendment

   Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

   PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

   Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

   Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2006-23886; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-255-AD.

   Comments Due Date

   (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by March 17, 2006.

   Affected ADs

   (b) None.

   Applicability

   (c) This AD applies to Dassault Model Falcon 900EX airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial numbers 1 through 137 inclusive.

   Unsafe Condition

   (d) This AD results from reports of two missing rivets in the front section of the central engine mast discovered on airplanes in service and in production. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct missing rivets in the front section of the central engine mast, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the central engine mast, possible separation of the engine from the airplane during flight, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

   Compliance

   (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

   Service Bulletin References

   (f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-220, Revision 1, dated July 29, 2005. Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD specifies to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.

   Inspection for and Installation of Missing Rivets

   (g) Prior to accumulating 7,500 total flight hours, or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is later: Do a general visual inspection of the number 2 engine left- and right- hand forward mounts for missing rivets, in accordance with the service bulletin. If any rivet is missing, before further flight, install the new rivet, in accordance with the service bulletin.

   Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

   Inspections and Installations According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

   (h) Inspecting for and installing rivets is also acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD if done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-220, dated April 14, 2004.

   [[Page 7876]]

   Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

   (i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

   (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

   Related Information

   (j) French airworthiness directive F-2005-066, dated April 27, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 6, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-2175 Filed 2-14-06; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P