Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 83 (Monday, April 30, 2018)

Federal Register Volume 83, Number 83 (Monday, April 30, 2018)

Proposed Rules

Pages 18749-18751

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2018-08757

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2018-0306; Product Identifier 2018-NM-039-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 all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 14, 2018.

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 service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

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-2018-

0306; 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 NPRM, 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, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226.

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-2018-0306; Product Identifier 2018-NM-039-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.

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 2017-0236, dated November 30, 2017 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 airplanes. The MCAI states:

The airworthiness limitations for Dassault Falcon 2000 aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) Chapter 5-40. These instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness.

Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an unsafe condition i.e., reduced controllability of the airplane.

EASA previously issued EASA AD 2012-0156 which corresponds to FAA AD 2014-03-12 Amendment 39-17749 (79 FR 11693, March 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-03-12''), requiring the actions described in Dassault Falcon 2000 AMM Chapter 5-40 (DGT 113876) at Revision 17.

Since that AD was issued, Dassault published Revision 18 of Dassault Falcon 2000 AMM Chapter 5-40 (DGT 113876), containing new and/or more restrictive maintenance tasks and introducing (among other changes) the Corrosion Prevention and Control Programme.

For the reason described above, this EASA AD retains the requirements of EASA AD 2012-0156, which is superseded, and requires accomplishment of the actions specified in Dassault Falcon 2000 AMM Chapter 5-40 (DGT 113876) at Revision 18 * * *.

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-2018-

0306.

Page 18750

Relationship Between Proposed AD and AD 2014-03-12

This NPRM would not supersede AD 2014-03-12. Rather, we have determined that a stand-alone AD would be more appropriate to address the changes in the MCAI. This NPRM would require revising the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate the new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would then terminate all of the requirements of AD 2014-03-12.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Dassault Aviation has issued Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 19, dated November 2017, of Chapter 5, Maintenance Planning Document, of the Dassault Falcon 2000 Maintenance Manual. This service information describes instructions applicable to airworthiness and safe life limitations. 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.

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.

This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents. Compliance with these revisions are required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (j)(1) of this proposed AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure.

Difference Between the MCAI and This Proposed AD

The MCAI specifies that if there are findings from the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) inspection tasks, corrective actions must be accomplished in accordance with Dassault Aviation maintenance documentation. However, this proposed AD does not include that requirement. Operators of U.S.-registered airplanes are required by general airworthiness and operational regulations to perform maintenance using methods that are acceptable to the FAA. We consider those methods to be adequate to address any corrective actions necessitated by the findings of ALS inspections required by this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 195 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although this figure may vary from operator to operator. In the past, we have estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. Therefore, we estimate the total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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

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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

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2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2018-0306; Product Identifier 2018-NM-039-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by June 14, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD affects AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR 79952,

Page 18751

December 21, 2010) (``AD 2010-26-05'') and AD 2014-03-12, Amendment 39-17749 (79 FR 11693, March 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-03-12'').

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time limits/

maintenance checks.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by manufacturer revisions to the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) that introduce new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(g) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 19, dated November 2017, of Chapter 5, Maintenance Planning Document, of the Dassault Falcon 2000 Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance times for doing the tasks are at the time specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 19, dated November 2017, of Chapter 5, Maintenance Planning Document, of the Dassault Falcon 2000 Maintenance Manual, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; except as required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3) of this AD. The term ``LDG'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any table in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 19, dated November 2017, means total airplane landings. The term ``FH'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any table in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 19, dated November 2017, means total flight hours. The term ``FC'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any table in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 19, dated November 2017, means total flight cycles.

(1) For Task 30-11-09-350-801 identified in the service information specified in the introductory text of paragraph (g) of this AD, the initial compliance time is the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.

(i) At the earlier of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i)(A) and (g)(1)(i)(B) of this AD.

(A) Prior to the accumulation of 2,400 total flight hours or 2,000 total flight cycles, whichever occurs first.

(B) Within 2,400 flight hours or 2,000 flight cycles after April 7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-03-12), whichever occurs first.

(ii) Within 30 days after April 7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-03-12).

(2) For Task 52-20-00-610-801-01 identified in the service information specified in the introductory text of paragraph (g) of this AD, the initial compliance time is within 24 months after April 7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-03-12).

(3) The limited service life of part number F2MA721512100 is 3,750 total flight cycles on the part or 6 years since the manufacturing date of the part, whichever occurs first.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), or intervals, may be used unless the actions, or intervals, are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.

(i) Terminating Actions for Other ADs

(1) Accomplishing the actions required by this AD terminates all of the requirements of AD 2014-03-12.

(2) Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2010-26-

05 for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 airplanes.

(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: email protected. 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 2017-0236, dated November 30, 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-2018-0306.

(2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226.

(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, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on April 19, 2018.

Michael Kaszycki,

Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

FR Doc. 2018-08757 Filed 4-27-18; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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