2011-5899. Airworthiness Directives; Dassault-Aviation Model FALCON 7X Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

Time between overhaul (TBO) of DC [direct current] generator bearings is set at 1 000 flight hours (FH) in the airworthiness limitations section of the Falcon 7X Aircraft Maintenance Manual Chapter 5.40.

In service report has shown that the bearing current design cannot sustain the current TBO. * * *

* * * * *

Failure to comply with those revised maintenance tasks could constitute an unsafe condition.

Failure of the DC generator bearings could lead to loss of the generator and potential loss of electrical power to the fly-by-wire system and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 29, 2011.

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: [phone].
• 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, New Jersey 07606; telephone [phone]; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. 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;​; or in person at the Docket Operations office 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 [phone]) 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, Washington 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

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-2011-0222; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-056-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 2009-0254, dated December 1, 2009 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Time between overhaul (TBO) of DC [direct current] generator bearings is set at 1,000 flight hours (FH) in the airworthiness limitations section of the Falcon 7X Aircraft Maintenance Manual Chapter 5.40.

In service report has shown that the bearing current design cannot sustain the current TBO. In order to prevent unscheduled removal of DC generators, TBO is reduced down to 650 FH.

This change is expected to be introduced in the next scheduled revision of Chapter 5.40 of Falcon 7X Aircraft Maintenance Manual.

The purpose of this AD is to require accomplishment of the more restrictive maximum time limits for DC generators P/N 30089-004 or 30089-005.

Failure to comply with those revised maintenance tasks could constitute an unsafe condition.

Failure of the DC generator bearings could lead to loss of the generator and potential loss of electrical power to the fly-by-wire system and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

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 design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would affect about 21 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,785, or $85 per product.

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); 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• 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

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 adding the following new AD:

Dassault-Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2011-0222; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-056-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments by April 29, 2011.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Dassault-Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, all serial numbers, equipped with DC generators having part number (P/N) 30089-004 or 30089-005; certificated in any category.

Note 1:

This AD requires 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 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 of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (j) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required actions that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Time between overhaul (TBO) of DC [direct current] generator bearings is set at 1,000 flight hours (FH) in the airworthiness limitations section of the Falcon 7X Aircraft Maintenance Manual Chapter 5.40.

In service report has shown that the bearing current design cannot sustain the current TBO. * * *

* * * * *

Failure to comply with those revised maintenance tasks could constitute an unsafe condition.

Failure of the DC generator bearings could lead to loss of the generator and potential loss of electrical power to the fly-by-wire system and subsequent loss of control of the airplane.

Compliance

(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Actions

(g) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program, to incorporate the limitation for reduced maximum time limit between overhauls defined below. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD into the limitations section (Chapter 5-40-00) of Dassault Falcon 7X Maintenance Manual DGT 107838, as revised by Temporary Revision TR-02, dated February 19, 2008.

MPD task	Title	Max time limit
24-31-01-350-801	Restoration of the DC generators (bearing)	650 FH (instead of 1,000 FH).

Note 2:

When a statement identical to that in paragraph (g) of this AD has been included in the general revisions of the maintenance manual, the general revisions may be inserted into the maintenance manual and the copy of this AD may be removed from the maintenance manual provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in paragraph (g) of this AD.

(h) For the maintenance planning document (MPD) task identified in paragraph (g) of this AD, the initial compliance time is the later of the times in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD.

(1) Prior to the accumulation of 650 flight hours on the DC generators (bearings).

(2) Within 650 flight hours after the last accomplishment of the restoration of the DC generators (bearing) specified in MPD Task 24-31-01-350-801.

(3) Within 12 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.

No Alternative Actions or Intervals

(i) 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 or intervals are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

Note 3:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(j) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]. 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 or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

Related Information

(k) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Airworthiness Directive 2009-0254, dated December 1, 2009, for related information.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2011.

Kalene C. Yanamura,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.