Airworthiness directives: Dassault,
[Federal Register: December 8, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 235)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 68299-68301]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08de03-8]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. 2001-NM-390-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900 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 900 series airplanes. This proposal would require revising the Abnormal Procedures section of the airplane flight manual to advise the flightcrew to avoid use of certain display modes during approaches. This proposal also would require replacing certain symbol generators of the Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) with modified symbol generators. This action is necessary to prevent distraction of the flightcrew during a critical phase of flight due to certain EFIS displays flashing or going blank, which could result in loss of control of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 7, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-390-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. 2001-NM-390-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 2001-NM-390-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. 2001-NM-390-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 900 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that, in certain phases of flight, especially during approach, the quantity of data to be processed may lead to saturation of the processors of certain symbol generators used by the Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS). This may cause the EFIS display to flash or go blank. This condition, if not corrected, could result in distraction of the flightcrew during a critical phase of flight, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dassault has issued Temporary Change No. 86 to the Abnormal Procedures section of the Mystere-Falcon 900 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). That Temporary Change advises the flightcrew that certain EFIS displays may blink or blank due to overload of certain symbol generators, and advises the flightcrew to avoid using certain display modes during approaches to decrease the load on the display processor.
Dassault has also issued Service Bulletin F900-281, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2001. That service bulletin describes procedures for replacing certain symbol generators with modified symbol generators. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
The DGAC classified the temporary change to the AFM and the service bulletin as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directive 2001- 466-033(B), dated October 3, 2001, 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 Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement,
[[Page 68300]]
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 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 revising the Abnormal Procedures section of the AFM to advise the flightcrew to avoid using certain display modes during approaches, and accomplishing the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.
Difference Between Proposed AD and Referenced Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service bulletin describe procedures for completing and returning a card recording compliance with the service bulletin, this proposed AD would not require this action.
Cost Impact
We estimate that 93 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed AFM revision, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this proposed action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,045, or $65 per airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the parts manufacturer at no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this proposed action on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,045, or $65 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.
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 2001-NM-390-AD.
Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes, certificated in any category; serial numbers (S/Ns) 1 through 168 inclusive, and 170 through 178 inclusive; equipped with an SPZ 8000 avionics system.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.
To prevent distraction of the flightcrew during a critical phase of flight due to certain Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS) displays flashing or going blank, which could result in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
Airplane Flight Manual Revision
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Abnormal Procedures section of the Mystere-Falcon 900 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the information in Temporary Change (TC) No. 86. That TC advises the flightcrew that certain EFIS displays may blink or blank due to overload of certain symbol generators, and advises the flightcrew to avoid using certain display modes during approaches to decrease the load on the display processor. Operate the airplane per the limitations and procedures in the TC.
Note 1: The requirements of paragraph (a) may be done by inserting a copy of TC No. 86 in the AFM. When this TC has been included in general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, and TC No. 86 may be removed from the AFM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in TC No. 86.
Replacement of Symbol Generators
(b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD, per Dassault Service Bulletin F900-281, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2001, except that it is not necessary to complete the compliance card.
(1) Replace all SG-820 symbol generators having part numbers (P/ Ns) 7007356-901 or -902, or P/Ns 7007356-903 or -904 without Honeywell Modification S; with symbol generators having a P/N and a Honeywell modification level listed in the ``NEW P/N'' column of the table under paragraph 3.A. of the service bulletin.
(2) Replace all MG-820 symbol generators having P/Ns 7009289-801 or -802, or P/Ns 7009289-803 or -804 without Honeywell Modification V, with symbol generators having a P/N and a Honeywell modification level listed in the ``NEW P/N'' column of the table under paragraph 3.B. of the service bulletin.
Parts Installation
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a symbol generator having a P/N and a modification level listed in the ``OLD P/N'' column of the tables under paragraphs 3.A. and 3.B. of Dassault Service Bulletin F900-281, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2001.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 2001-466-033(B), dated October 3, 2001.
[[Page 68301]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 1, 2003. Ali Bahrami, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-30333 Filed 12-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
