[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 171-172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-117]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-193-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere Falcon 900
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dassault Aviation Model
Mystere Falcon 900 series airplanes. This proposal would require
replacement of the water heater control relays with improved relays
having high-power contactors; the addition of a testing and monitoring
circuit for each contactor; and installation of improved electrical
bonding of the potable water tank. This proposal is prompted by
issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign
civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent overheating of the water heaters for the galley
or the washbasin, which could result in damage to the water heater and
nearby electrical wiring, and consequent smoke in the cabin.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 4, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-193-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O.
Box 2000, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-193-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-193-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Dassault Aviation Model Mystere Falcon
900 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that three occurrences have been
reported in which the ground crew detected a burning smell coming from
the washbasin in the rear toilet. The water heater was found to be very
hot and the electrical wires beside the water heater were smoldering.
Investigation revealed that the power contacts of the control relay to
the water heater for the galley or the washbasin can remain closed,
which can allow the water to overheat. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in damage to the water heater and nearby
electrical wiring, and consequent smoke in the cabin.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F900-181 (F900-38-12), dated
December 4, 1996, which describes procedures for replacement of the
water heater control relays with improved relays having high-power
contactors; the addition of a testing and monitoring circuit for each
contactor; and installation of improved electrical bonding of the
potable water tank.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The
DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French
airworthiness directive 96-279-018(B), dated December 4, 1996, in order
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified
[[Page 172]]
in the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 24 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $6,300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on the single U.S. operator is estimated to
be $7,740.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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.
Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is
determined that this proposal would not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Dassault Aviation: Docket 97-NM-193-AD
Applicability: Model Mystere Falcon 900 airplanes; equipped with
l'HOTELLIER water system gauges having part number (P/N) 5250, 5251,
5250-1 or 5251-1; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent overheating of the water heaters for the galley or
the washbasin, which could result in damage to the water heater and
nearby electrical wiring, and consequent smoke in the cabin,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 7 months or 330 flight hours after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first: Replace the water heater control
relays with improved relays; add a testing and monitoring circuit
for each contactor; and install improved electrical bonding of the
potable water tank; in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin
F900-181 (F900-38-12), dated December 4, 1996.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 96-279-018(B), dated December 4, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 29, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager,
Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-117 Filed 1-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
