Airworthiness directives: Dassault,

[Federal Register: August 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 155)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 43961-43963]

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

[DOCID:fr12au99-25]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-377-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 a detailed inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and corrective action, if necessary. This proposal also would require modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks during ground maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of an engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and persons or property on the ground.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-377-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,

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Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; 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 notice may be changed in light of the comments received.

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 filedin the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 98-NM-377-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. 98-NM-377-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 flight, an engine cowl separated from an airplane. A definitive cause for the separation could not be determined because critical pieces of the cowling were not recovered. The separation is thought to have been caused by disengagement of a forward attachment hook during ground maintenance. This theory is supported by another report received from an operator that noted that after closing the cowling during ground maintenance the forward hook was not properly engaged. The existing design of the attachment hook may not adequately prevent such disengagement. This condition, if not corrected, could result in in-flight loss of an engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and persons or property on the ground.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F2000-133, Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998, which describes procedures for a detailed inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and trimming the upper cowl slots, if necessary. The service bulletin also describes procedures for modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls, and corrective actions, if necessary. The modification involves trimming the attachment support of each lock and applying a corrosion protective coating. The corrective actions involve replacing the safety hammer return springs, front and rear outer attachment hooks, and safety hammers; and trimming the outer edges of the lower cowl, if necessary. 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 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998, in order to assure 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.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspections and modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $9 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,371, or $189 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.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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.

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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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

   Dassault Aviation: Docket 98-NM-377-AD.

   Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 2 through 72 inclusive, except those airplanes on which modification M1486 (reference Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, dated July 29, 1998, or Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998) has been accomplished; certificated in any category.

   Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

   Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

   To prevent unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks during ground maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of the engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and persons or property on the ground, accomplish the following:

   Corrective Actions

   (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998.

   (1) Perform a detailed inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls. If the clearance is outside the limits specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, trim the edges of the upper cowl slots.

   (2) Modify the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks.

   (3) Perform a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls. If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, perform the applicable corrective action specified in the service bulletin.

   Note 2: 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.''

   Alternative Methods of Compliance

   (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

   Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

   Special Flight Permits

   (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

   Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998.

   Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1999. D. L. Riggin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 99-20892Filed8-11-99; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-P