Airworthiness directives: Dassault,
[Federal Register: December 4, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 233)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 67816-67818]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04de03-17]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. 2002-NM-233-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 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 Falcon 2000 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the forward ribs of the left and right engine pylons to plug holes left open during production. This action is necessary to prevent fuel leakage into a ``hot'' section of the engine, and consequent propagation of an uncontained engine fire. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 5, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-233-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. 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-233-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
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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-233-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-233-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale 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 Falcon 2000 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that during production two 4-millimeter holes in the forward ribs of the left and right engine pylons were not plugged, reducing their capability to operate as firewalls. If there is heavy fuel leakage at the fuselage-nacelle connections, fuel could drain through the holes into ``hot'' zones of the engines. This condition, if not corrected, could result in propagation of an uncontained engine fire.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F2000-248, dated August 12, 2002, which describes procedures for modifying the forward ribs of the left and right engine pylons by plugging the two holes in each pylon. The modification procedures include using rivets installed with an interlay of sealing compound to plug the holes. 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 2002-413(B), dated August 7, 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 the FAA informed of the situation described above. The FAA has 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 Rule
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.
Difference Between the Proposed Rule and the Service Bulletin
Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin specify to submit information to the manufacturer, this proposed AD would not include such a requirement.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 119 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. The cost of required parts would be minimal. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,735, or $65 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.
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
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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]
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Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Dassault Aviation: Docket 2002-NM-233-AD.
Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes on which Dassault Modification M2111 has not been installed, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent fuel leakage into a ``hot'' section of the engine, and consequent propagation of an uncontained engine fire, accomplish the following:
Modification of the Engine Pylons
(a) Within 7 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the forward ribs of the left and right engine pylons by plugging the two 4-millimeter holes in each rib in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-248, dated August 12, 2002. Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 2002-413(B), dated August 7, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2003. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30190 Filed 12-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
