Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 204 (Tuesday, October 24, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 24, 2017)
Proposed Rules
Pages 49149-49151
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2017-23006
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2017-0909; Product Identifier 2017-NM-081-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 900, FALCON 900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a loose screw on certain slat mechanical stop assemblies, and punctures in certain fuel caps. This proposed AD would require a one-time inspection, and corrective action if necessary. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 8, 2017.
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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, 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 Standards Branch, 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-2017-
0909; 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, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-
1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0909; Product Identifier 2017-NM-081-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 2017-0106, dated June 19, 2017 (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 900, FALCON 900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The MCAI states:
On some aeroplanes in-service, the screw of the slat mechanical stop assembly on slat tracks #6, #7 and #8 was found loose. In some cases, a puncture was found in the fuel cap. The results of the technical investigations concluded that the most probable reason for these events was improper installation of the lock washers on the screws during production or maintenance.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to structural damage to the wing front spar, and consequent fuel leakage, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled fire.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault issued Service Bulletin SB F900-460 Revision 1, SB F900EX-508 Revision 3, SB F2000-433 Revision 1, and SB F2000EX-386 Revision 3 (hereafter collectively referred as `the applicable SB' in this EASA AD), as applicable to aeroplane type/model, to provide inspection instructions.
For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires a one-
time general visual inspection of the slat tracks #6, #7 and #8 to verify the tightening torque of the screw and proper lock washer installation and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).
Applicable corrective actions include replacement, if necessary. 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-2017-
0909.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Dassault Aviation has issued the following service information.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900-460, Revision 1, dated February 10, 2017
Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-508, Revision 3, dated February 10, 2017
Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-433, Revision 1, dated February 10, 2017
Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-386, Revision 3, dated February 10, 2017
This service information describes procedures for doing a one-time general visual inspection of the screw on the affected slat tracks, and replacement if necessary. These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models. The 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.
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
Page 49150
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 these same type designs.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 65 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection............................ 4 work-hours x $85 per $0 $340 $22,100
hour = $340.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this replacement:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replacement................................... 6 work-hours x $85 per hour = $15 $525
$510.
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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: 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.
This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
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-2017-0909; Product Identifier 2017-NM-081-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by December 8, 2017.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Dassault Aviation airplanes, certificated in any category, and identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD.
(1) MYSTERE-FALCON 900, serial numbers as specified in Dassault Service Bulletin F900-460, Revision 1, dated February 10, 2017.
(2) FALCON 900EX, serial numbers as specified in Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-508, Revision 3, dated February 10, 2017.
(3) FALCON 2000, serial numbers as specified in Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-433, Revision 1, dated February 10, 2017.
(4) FALCON 2000EX, serial numbers as specified in Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-386, Revision 3, dated February 10, 2017.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by reports of a loose screw on certain slat mechanical stop assemblies, and punctures in certain fuel caps. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct loose screws that could lead to structural damage to the wing front spar, and consequent fuel leakage, possibly resulting in an uncontrolled fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
Page 49151
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 9 months or 440 flight hours, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection of slat tracks #6, #7, and #8 for proper screw and lockwasher installation, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD.
(2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, the tightening torque of the screw and/or the lockwasher installation is incorrect, before further flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s) in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service information identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD.
(h) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-508, dated January 5, 2016, as applicable; or Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-386, dated January 5, 2016, as applicable.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
(j) Other FAA AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 Section, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. 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.
(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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2017-0106, dated June 19, 2017, 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-2017-0909.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1149.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, 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 Standards Branch, 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 October 17, 2017.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2017-23006 Filed 10-23-17; 8:45 am
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