Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

Federal Register, Volume 79 Issue 65 (Friday, April 4, 2014)

Federal Register Volume 79, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 2014)

Proposed Rules

Pages 18846-18848

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

FR Doc No: 2014-07519

Page 18846

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2014-0177; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-189-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 FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a crew alerting system message caused by an inversion of the wiring in the slats control manifold (SCM). This proposed AD would require doing an operational test of the SCM, and replacing the affected SCM with a serviceable SCM if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct inversion of the wiring in the SCM, which could lead to a commanded retraction of the median and outboard slats in flight, and result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 19, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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-2014-

0177; 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 Branch, ANM 116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0177; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-189-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 Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0195, dated August 27, 2013 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. The MCAI states:

During a ferry flight, the crew of a Falcon 7X aeroplane reported a Crew Alerting System Message ``FCS--SLATS INB EXTEND FAIL'' with associated fault code and root cause: ``FCS SEC FCS fault/SFCI3 fault''. The crew applied the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual procedure and the aeroplane landed uneventfully.

The results of the manufacturer technical investigations concluded that the cause of this event was an inversion of the wiring in the slats control manifold (SCM).

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to un-

commanded retraction of the median and outboard slats in flight, resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault Aviation issued Service Bulletin (SB) F7X-244, with instructions for an operational test of the SCM.

For the reasons described above, this EASA AD requires an operational test of the SCM and, depending on findings, accomplishment of the applicable corrective actions replacing the affected SCM with a serviceable SCM if necessary.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0177.

Relevant Service Information

Dassault Aviation has issued Service Bulletin 7X-244, Revision 1, dated July 8, 2013. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

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 18847

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 design.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 42 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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Operational Test of the Slats 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $3,570

Control Manifold. hour = $85.

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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacement 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............................... 13 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $1,105

$1,105.

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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.

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

  5. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

    Sec. 39.13 Amended

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

    Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2014-0177; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-189-AD.

    (a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 19, 2014.

    (b) Affected ADs

    None.

    (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, certificated in any category, manufacturer serial numbers 2 through 101 inclusive; 105, 106, 108 through 140 inclusive; 142 through 148 inclusive; 150 through 153 inclusive; 155, 156, 158, 162 through 164 inclusive; and 167, 169, and 173.

    (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls.

    (e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by report of a crew alerting system message caused by an inversion of the wiring in the slats control manifold (SCM). We are issuing this AD to detect and correct inversion of the wiring in the SCM, which could lead to a commanded retraction of the median and outboard slats in flight, and result in reduced controllability of the airplane.

    (f) Compliance

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

    (g) Operational Test

    Within 600 flight hours or 9 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first: Do an operational test of the slats control manifold (SCM), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin 7X-244, Revision 1, dated July 8, 2013. If the operational test of the SCM fails, before further flight, replace the affected SCM with a serviceable SCM, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin 7X-244, Revision 1, dated July 8, 2013.

    (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 Aviation Service Bulletin 7X-244, February 14, 2013.

    (i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:

    Page 18848

    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 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) 227-1149. 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) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its delegated agent, or by the DAH with a State of Design Authority's design organization approval). You are required to ensure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

    (j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0195, dated August 27, 2013, 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 it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0177.

    (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 March 28, 2014.

    Jeffrey E. Duven,

    Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

    FR Doc. 2014-07519 Filed 4-3-14; 8:45 am

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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