Airworthiness directives: Dassault,
[Federal Register: January 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 6)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 1547-1549]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09ja04-22]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. 2002-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dassault Model Mystere- Falcon 50 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection for improper installation of the electrical wiring for the optional lighting in the cabin, and corrective actions if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent overheating of optional lighting wiring that was improperly installed in the cabin, and consequent smoke/fire in the cabin. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 9, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-204-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
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Comments may be inspected at this location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must contain ``Docket No. 2002- NM-204-AD'' in the subject line and need not be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 2002-NM-204-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-204-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that due to incorrect routing, wiring for the optional lighting in the cabin may be directly connected to the direct power supply line of the battery bus instead of through a dedicated circuit breaker. In this configuration, an electrical current is generated even after the starter generators and batteries are switched off. This condition, if not corrected, could result in overheating of electrical wiring and consequent smoke/fire in the cabin.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F50-138, Revision 1, dated June 12, 2002, which describes procedures for inspecting the wiring installation for the optional lighting in the cabin, measuring the electrical current at a certain circuit breaker, and performing corrective actions if necessary. The corrective actions include installing circuit breakers, modifying the existing wiring installation, doing a detailed inspection of any modified wiring installation to ensure it matches the wiring diagram, and testing the modified wiring installation. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2002-086-036(B) R1, dated March 20, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
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 us informed of the situation described above. We have examined the findings of the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 175 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection is estimated to be $22,750, or $130 per airplane.
Should an operator have to modify the optional lighting wiring, it would take approximately 60 work hours at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $682,500, or $3,900 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.
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Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
-
The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
-
Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Dassault Aviation: Docket 2002-NM-204-AD.
Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes having serial numbers 2 to 270 inclusive, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent overheating of optional lighting wiring that was improperly installed in the cabin, and consequent smoke/fire in the cabin, accomplish the following:
Inspection
(a) Within 13 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a detailed inspection (including measurement of electrical current) of the electrical wiring installation for optional lighting in the cabin to determine if any wiring is directly connected to the battery bus. Do all of the applicable actions per the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F50-318, Revision 1, dated June 12, 2002.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.''
Corrective Actions
(b) If any electrical wiring is found to be directly connected to the battery bus during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, do all the applicable corrective actions (e.g., modifying the existing wiring, doing a detailed inspection of any modified wiring installation to ensure it matches the wiring diagram, and testing the modified wiring installation) per the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F50-318, Revision 1, dated June 12, 2002.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 2002-086-036(B) R1, dated March 20, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 31, 2003. Michael J. Kaszycki, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-425 Filed 1-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
