Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

Citation84 FR 59315
Record Number2019-23990
Published date04 November 2019
SectionProposed rules
CourtFederal Aviation Administration
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 213 (Monday, November 4, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2019)]
                [Proposed Rules]
                [Pages 59315-59318]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-23990]
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                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                Federal Aviation Administration
                14 CFR Part 39
                [Docket No. FAA-2019-0860; Product Identifier 2019-NM-123-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: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
                2019-03-14, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET
                FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2019-03-
                14 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as
                applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and
                airworthiness limitations. Since AD 2019-03-14 was issued, the FAA has
                determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are
                necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing
                maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or
                more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is
                [[Page 59316]]
                proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
                DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by December
                19, 2019.
                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 https://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 https://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this referenced 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
                0860; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations is listed above.
                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
                 The FAA invites 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-2019-0860;
                Product Identifier 2019-NM-123-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
                The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
                economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. The
                FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
                amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
                 The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
                The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
                contact received about this NPRM.
                Discussion
                 The FAA issued AD 2019-03-14, Amendment 39-19566 (84 FR 7269, March
                4, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-14''), for certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN
                JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2019-
                03-14 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program,
                as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and
                airworthiness limitations. AD 2019-03-14 resulted from a determination
                that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary.
                The FAA issued AD 2019-03-14 to address, among other things, fatigue
                cracking and damage in principal structural elements; such fatigue
                cracking and damage could result in reduced structural integrity of the
                airplane.
                Actions Since AD 2019-03-14 Was Issued
                 Since AD 2019-03-14 was issued, the FAA has determined that new or
                more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary.
                 The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
                Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
                EASA AD 2019-0142, dated June 17, 2019 (referred to after this as the
                Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to
                correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET
                FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes.
                 This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
                restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing
                this AD to address continued structural integrity of the airplane. See
                the MCAI for additional background information.
                 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-2019-
                0860.
                Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
                 Dassault Aviation has issued Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness
                Limitations, Revision 10, dated January 1, 2019, of the Dassault
                Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, specifically for aircraft that
                have incorporated the supplemental structural inspection program
                (SSIP). This service information describes airworthiness limitations
                for safe life limits.
                 This proposed AD would also require Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness
                Limitations, DMD 44729, Revision 9, dated November 29, 2017, of the
                Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, which the Director of
                the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of
                April 8, 2019 (84 FR 7269, March 4, 2019).
                 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
                 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. The FAA is proposing this AD because the
                agency evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe
                condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
                products of the same type design.
                Proposed Requirements of This NPRM
                 This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2019-03-14.
                This proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance
                or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more
                restrictive airworthiness limitations.
                 This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator
                maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections).
                Compliance with these actions is 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
                (l)(1) of this proposed AD.
                [[Page 59317]]
                Costs of Compliance
                 The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 61 airplanes of
                U.S. registry.
                 The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
                AD:
                 The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained
                actions from AD 2019-03-14 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
                hour).
                 The FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection
                program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the
                FAA recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. In
                the past, the FAA has estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per
                airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program
                changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-
                operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.
                 The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed
                actions 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.
                 The FAA is 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 and associated appliances to the
                Director of the System Oversight Division.
                Regulatory Findings
                 The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
                 (3) 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
                2019-03-14, Amendment 39-19566 (84 FR 7269, March 4, 2019); and adding
                the following new AD:
                Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2019-0860; Product Identifier
                2019-NM-123-AD.
                (a) Comments Due Date
                 The FAA must receive comments by December 19, 2019.
                (b) Affected ADs
                 (1) This AD replaces AD 2019-03-14, Amendment 39-19566 (84 FR
                7269, March 4, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-14'').
                 (2) This AD affects AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR
                79952, December 21, 2010) (``AD 2010-26-05'').
                (c) Applicability
                 This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN
                JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes, certificated in any
                category, on which the supplemental structural inspection program
                (SSIP) has been incorporated into the airplane's maintenance
                program.
                (d) Subject
                 Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time limits/
                maintenance checks.
                (e) Reason
                 This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
                restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
                issuing this AD to address, among other things, fatigue cracking and
                damage in principal structural elements; such fatigue cracking and
                damage could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
                (f) Compliance
                 Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
                unless already done.
                (g) Retained Revision, With No Changes
                 This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD
                2019-03-14, with no changes. Within 90 days after April 8, 2019 (the
                effective date of AD 2019-03-14), revise the existing maintenance or
                inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information
                specified in Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, DMD 44729,
                Revision 9, dated November 29, 2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon
                20 Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance time for doing the
                tasks is at the time specified in Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness
                Limitations, DMD 44729, Revision 9, dated November 29, 2017, of the
                Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, or within 90 days
                after April 8, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-03-14), whichever
                occurs later. Where the threshold column in the table in paragraph
                B, Mandatory Maintenance Operations, of Chapter 5-40-01,
                Airworthiness Limitations, DMD 44729, Revision 9, dated November 29,
                2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual
                specifies a compliance time in years, those compliance times start
                from the date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate
                or date of issuance of the original export certificate of
                airworthiness.
                (h) Retained No Alternative Actions or Intervals With a New Exception
                 This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD
                2019-03-14, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph
                (i) of this AD, after accomplishing the revision required by
                paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections)
                or intervals may be used unless the actions and intervals are
                approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance
                with the procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
                (i) New Requirement of This AD: Maintenance or Inspection Program
                Revision
                 Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
                existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to
                incorporate the information specified in Chapter 5-40-01,
                Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, dated January 1, 2019, of
                the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual. The initial
                compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time specified in
                Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, dated
                January 1, 2019, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance
                Manual, or within 90 days after the effective
                [[Page 59318]]
                date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Where the threshold column
                in the table in paragraph B, Mandatory Maintenance Operations, of
                Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, dated
                January 1, 2019, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance
                Manual specifies a compliance time in years, those compliance times
                start from the date of issuance of the original airworthiness
                certificate or the original export certificate of airworthiness.
                Accomplishing the actions required by this paragraph terminates the
                actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
                (j) New No Alternative Actions or Intervals
                 After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
                revised as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative
                actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the
                actions or intervals are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the
                procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.
                (k) Terminating Actions for Certain Actions in AD 2010-26-05
                 Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) or (i) of
                this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of AD 2010-
                26-05, for Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON
                SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes.
                (l) 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 (m)(2) of this AD. Information
                may be emailed to [email protected].
                 (i) 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.
                 (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2019-03-14 are approved as
                AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
                 (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of
                this AD, 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 Union 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.
                (m) Related Information
                 (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information
                (MCAI) EASA AD 2019-0142, dated June 17, 2019, 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-2019-0860.
                 (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 https://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 October 29, 2019.
                Dionne Palermo,
                Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification
                Service.
                [FR Doc. 2019-23990 Filed 11-1-19; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
                

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