Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Number 185 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)
Proposed Rules
Pages 57545-57548
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2015-22803
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2015-3629; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-011-AD
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, FALCON 900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight lightning strike to the WHELEN anti-collision light located on the top of the vertical fin tip that caused severe damage and induced the loss of some airplane functions. This proposed AD would require modification of the anti-
collision light bonding. We are
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proposing this AD to prevent loss of electrical power and essential functions, and possible reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 9, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3629; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1139.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-3629; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-011-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2015-0006, dated January 15, 2015 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, FALCON 900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The MCAI states:
An occurrence was reported where a Falcon 2000 aeroplane experienced an in-flight lightning strike, which caused severe damage and induced the loss of some aeroplane functions. The investigation results revealed that the entering point of the lightning was at the WHELEN anti-collision light located on the top of the vertical fin tip.
When the lightning strike hit the anti-collision light, an electric arc occurred between the aeroplane structure and the anti-
collision light and created a conductive path by which the lightning current entered inside the aeroplane. Further analysis has determined that the electrical bonding between the WHELEN anti-
collision light, Part Number (P/N) 01-0790044-09, and the fin tip fairing or the No. 2 engine air intake cover is insufficient to withstand a lightning strike.
In case of severe lightning, this condition, if not corrected, could lead to an unsafe condition (loss of electrical power and/or of essential functions) possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault Aviation developed a modification (mod) to improve the WHELEN anti-collision light bonding when the anti-collision light is located on top of the vertical fin tip or on No. 2 engine air intake cover, and issued several Service Bulletins (SB) to modify all affected aeroplanes in service.
For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires modification of the anti- collision light bonding.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3629.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed the following Dassault Aviation service information:
Dassault Service Bulletin F50-481, dated August 22, 2007.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900-372, dated August 22, 2007.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900-378, dated September 19, 2007.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-285, dated July 18, 2007.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-305, dated September 19, 2007.
Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-337, dated July 25, 2007.
Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-108, dated July 25, 2007.
The service information describes procedures to correct the electrical bonding of the WHELEN anti-collision light located at the vertical fin tip of the airplane. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type designs.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 778 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 12 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $801 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,416,738, or $1,821 per product.
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:
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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 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 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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, 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
0
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
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2015-3629; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-011-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 9, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Dassault Aviation airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.
Table 1 to Paragraph (c) of This AD--Applicability
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Except airplanes modified through \1\
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Airplanes Configuration Dassault Mod embodied in Service Bulletin in
production service
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Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE- M1853 is embodied in M2083 or M3094 \2\........ Dassault Service
FALCON 50 airplanes. production or in service Bulletin F50-257-
through Dassault Service R1, dated July 11,
Bulletin F50-241-R2, 2001.
dated February 9, 2000.
Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE- Group 1: M1682 is embodied M5381..................... Not Applicable.
FALCON 900 airplanes. in production or in
service through Dassault
Service Bulletin F900-
182, dated November 5,
1997 \3\.
Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE- Group 2: M1682 is embodied M5386..................... Not Applicable.
FALCON 900 airplanes. in production or in
service through Dassault
Service Bulletin F900-
182, dated November 5,
1997, and Mod M1947 is
embodied in production or
in service through
Dassault Service Bulletin
F900-176-R1, dated
November 14, 2001 \4\.
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON Group 1: M1682 is embodied M5381..................... Not Applicable.
900EX airplanes. in production or in
service through Dassault
Service Bulletin F900EX-
025, dated May 27, 1998.
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON Group 2: M1682 is embodied M5103 or M5386............ Not Applicable.
900EX airplanes. in production or in
service through Dassault
Service Bulletin F900EX-
025, dated May 27, 1998,
and Mod M1947 is embodied
in production or in
service through Dassault
Service Bulletin F900EX-
19-R1, dated November 14,
2001.
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON M331 is embodied in M810 or M1061 or M2778.... Dassault Service
2000 airplanes. production or in service Bulletin F2000-111,
through Dassault Service dated October 28,
Bulletin F2000-44, dated 1998.
December 9, 1998.
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON M1802 is embodied in M810 or M1061 or M2778.... Not Applicable.
2000EX airplanes. production.
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\1\ The excluded airplanes as specified in the Table 1 to Paragraph (c) of this AD--Applicability, embody either
one Mod in production or one service bulletin in service, as applicable.
\2\ Mod M2083, Service Bulletin F50-257, Mod M1947, Service Bulletin F900-176, Service Bulletin F900EX-19, Mod
M5103, as applicable, introduce fin tip SATCOM fairing, in production or in service.
\3\ Group 1: Airplanes with WHELEN anti-collision light located on top of vertical fin tip.
\4\ Group 2: Airplanes with WHELEN anti-collision light located on top of air intake engine No. 2.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 33, Lights.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by a report of an in-flight lightning strike to the WHELEN anti-collision light located on the top of the vertical fin tip of a Falcon 2000 airplane that caused severe damage and induced the loss of some airplane functions. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of electrical power
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and/or of essential functions, and possible reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Modification
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the anti-collision light bonding, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information specified in paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(7) of this AD.
(1) For Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50 airplanes: Dassault Service Bulletin F50-481, dated August 22, 2007.
(2) For Model MYSTERE-FALCON 900 airplanes with the WHELEN system installed on the fin tip: Dassault Service Bulletin F900-372, dated August 22, 2007.
(3) For Model MYSTERE-FALCON 900 airplanes with the WHELEN system installed on the S-duct cowl: Dassault Service Bulletin F900-
378, dated September 19, 2007.
(4) For Model FALCON 900EX airplanes with the WHELEN system installed on the fin tip: Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-285, dated July 18, 2007.
(5) For Model FALCON 900EX airplanes with the WHELEN system installed on the S-duct cowl: Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-305, dated September 19, 2007.
(6) For Model FALCON 2000 airplanes: Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-337, dated July 25, 2007.
(7) For Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes: Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-108, dated July 25, 2007.
(h) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1139. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Dassault Aviation's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(i) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2015-
0006, dated January 15, 2015, for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2015-3629.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 2, 2015.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2015-22803 Filed 9-23-15; 8:45 am
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