2020-02199. Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-03-14, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2019-03-14 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD continues to require, and adds new requirements for, revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective March 12, 2020.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 12, 2020.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of April 8, 2019 (84 FR 7269, March 4, 2019).

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this final rule, contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone [phone]; 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. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0860.

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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

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 [phone]; email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

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 (“EASA AD 2019-0142”) (also referred to 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. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0860.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-03-14, Amendment 39-19566 (84 FR 7269, March 4, 2019) (“AD 2019-03-14”). AD 2019-03-14 applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 4, 2019 (84 FR 59315). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The NPRM proposed continue to require, and adds new requirements for, revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. 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. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Dassault Aviation has issued Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, effective 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 AD also requires 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 61 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this 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 × $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 actions to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $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.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:

(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

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 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:

2020-02-13 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-19827; Docket No. FAA-2019-0860; Product Identifier 2019-NM-123-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective March 12, 2020.

(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 Requirement of 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, effective 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, effective January 1, 2019, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, or within 90 days after the effective 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 [e-mail].

(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 (“EASA AD 2019-0142”), for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://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 [phone]; email [e-mail].

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.

(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on March 12, 2020.

(i) Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, effective January 1, 2019, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual.

(ii) [Reserved]

(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on April 8, 2019 (84 FR 7269, March 4, 2019).

(i) Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, DMD 44729, Revision 9, dated November 29, 2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual.

(ii) [Reserved]

(5) For service information identified in this AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone [phone]; internet https://www.dassaultfalcon.com.

(6) 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.

(7) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [e-mail], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on January 23, 2020.

Gaetano A. Sciortino,

Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.