2018-06711. Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes  

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    AGENCY:

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

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    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, and G airplanes; and certain Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) on touchdown. This AD requires an electrical modification of the landing gear sequence logic. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

    DATES:

    This AD is effective May 14, 2018.

    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 14, 2018.

    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 201-440-6700; internet http://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 http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0908.

    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-2017-0908; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

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    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.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, and G airplanes; and certain Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2017 (82 FR 49151) (“the NPRM”). The NPRM was prompted by reports of the collapse of the main landing gear on touchdown. The NPRM proposed to require an electrical modification of the landing gear sequence logic. We are issuing this AD to prevent MLG collapse, which could result in damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants.

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2017-0130, dated July 26, 2017 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for all Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, and G airplanes; and certain Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An incident occurred in January 2016 on a Falcon 20-5 aeroplane where, upon touchdown, one main landing gear (MLG) collapsed, due to a sequence anomaly.

    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to additional events of MLG collapse, possibly resulting in damage to the aeroplane and injury to the occupants.

    Prompted by previous similar events, Dassault developed a modification, ensuring that hydraulic pressure of circuit #1 of the landing gear actuators is maintained after the extension sequence is completed. As a result, in the unlikely case of having one of the legs not properly mechanically locked down, the pressure maintained in the landing gear bracing devices will prevent landing gear from collapsing. Dassault published Service Bulletin (SB) F20-676 in 1981 (later revised in 1998) which contains the necessary instructions to modify in-service aeroplanes.

    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires an electrical modification of the landing gear sequence logic.

    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-2017-0908.

    Comments

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

    Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

    • Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting 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 Service Bulletin F20-676, Revision 1, dated March 4, 1998. This service information describes procedures for an electrical modification of the MLG sequence logic to prevent landing gear collapse on touchdown. 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

    We estimate that this AD affects 308 airplanes of U.S. registry.

    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

    Estimated Costs

    ActionLabor costParts costCost per productCost on U.S. operators
    Modification21 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,785$912$2,697$830,676
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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.

    This 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 to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

    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. 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.

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    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    • Air transportation
    • Aircraft
    • Aviation safety
    • Incorporation by reference
    • Safety
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    Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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    PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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

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

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    [Amended]
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    2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

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    2018-07-07 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-19238; Docket No. FAA-2017-0908; Product Identifier 2017-NM-103-AD.

    (a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 14, 2018.

    (b) Affected ADs

    None.

    (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.

    (1) All Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, and G airplanes.

    (2) Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes, except serial numbers (S/Ns) 478 and 485.

    (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing gear.

    (e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of the collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) on touchdown. We are issuing this AD to prevent MLG collapse, which could result in damage to the airplane and injury to the occupants.

    (f) Compliance

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

    (g) Modification

    Within 74 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish an electrical modification in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F20-676, Revision 1, dated March 4, 1998.

    (h) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information identified in paragraph (g) of this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

    (i) 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 (j)(2) of this AD. 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.

    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: 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 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.

    (j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2017-0130, dated July 26, 2017, 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-2017-0908.

    (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) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (k)(3) and (k)(4) of this AD.

    (k) 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.

    (i) Dassault Service Bulletin F20-676, Revision 1, dated March 4, 1998.

    (ii) Reserved.

    (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 http://www.dassaultfalcon.com.

    (4) 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.

    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the Start Printed Page 15041National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

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    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on March 20, 2018.

    Michael Kaszycki,

    Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.

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    [FR Doc. 2018-06711 Filed 4-6-18; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/14/2018
Published:
04/09/2018
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
2018-06711
Dates:
This AD is effective May 14, 2018.
Pages:
15038-15041 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. FAA-2017-0908, Product Identifier 2017-NM-103-AD, Amendment 39-19238, AD 2018-07-07
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
Topics:
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety
PDF File:
2018-06711.Pdf
Supporting Documents:
» SB F20-676 R1
» U.S. DOT/FAA - Supporting AD Documents
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13