[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 122 (Monday, June 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15381]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 27, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-82-AD; Amendment 39-8950; AD 94-13-09]
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Model Mystere Falcon
900 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to all Dassault Aviation Model Mystere Falcon 900 series
airplanes. This action requires either pressure checks and charging, if
necessary, of the low pressure chamber of the nose gear shock absorber,
or torque checks of the nose wheel steering to determine if the
charging operation is within specified limits; recharging of the shock
absorber, if necessary; and installation of a relay in the electrical
rack. This amendment is prompted by reports of failure of the nose
landing gear (NLG) to extend fully. The actions specified in this AD
are intended to prevent malfunction of the NLG during extension due to
recompression of the nose gear shock absorber.
DATES: Effective July 12, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 12, 1994.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 26, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-82-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Dassault International, Inc., P.O. Box 624, Paramus, New Jersey 07653-
9925. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206)
227-2797; fax (206) 227-1320.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile
(DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, recently
notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Dassault
Aviation Model Mystere Falcon 900 series airplanes. The DGAC advises
that it has received reports of recompression of the nose landing gear
(NLG) shock absorber due to the relative wind upon retraction. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the NLG to
extend fully using the normal hydraulic mode, the emergency hydraulic
mode, or the emergency mechanical mode.
Dassault Aviation issued Service Bulletin F900-A149 (F900-A32-11),
dated April 13, 1994, which describes procedures for pressure checks of
the low pressure chamber of the nose gear shock absorber or a torque
check of the nose wheel steering to determine if the charging operation
is within specified limits; and recharging of the shock absorber, if
necessary. Dassault Aviation also issued Service Bulletin F900-150
(F900-32-12), dated May 9, 1994, which describes procedures to install
a relay in the right side of the electrical rack. The purpose of this
relay is to interrupt the NLG retraction cycle if the NLG shock
absorber is not fully expanded. This will prevent a lock-up of the NLG
and a subsequent inability to deploy the NLG when necessary. The DGAC
classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued French
Airworthiness Directive 94-098-014(B)R1, dated May 11, 1994, in order
to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 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.
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, this AD is being issued to prevent failure of the
NLG to extend (deploy) using the normal hydraulic mode, the emergency
hydraulic mode, or the emergency mechanical mode. This AD requires
either repetitive pressure checks and charging, if necessary, of the
low pressure chamber of the nose gear shock absorber, or torque checks
of the nose wheel steering to determine if the charging operation is
within specified limits; and recharging of the shock absorber, if
necessary. This AD also requires installation of a relay in the right
side of the electrical rack. Installation of the relay terminates the
repetitive pressure and torque checks. These actions are required to be
accomplished in accordance with the service bulletins described
previously.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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 that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-82-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
94-13-09 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-8950. Docket 94-NM-82-AD.
Applicability: All Model Mystere Falcon 900 series airplanes,
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent inability of the nose landing gear (NLG) to extend
(deploy) fully due to recompression of the NLG shock absorber,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD in
accordance with Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F900-A149 (F900-
A32-11), dated April 13, 1994:
(1) Perform a pressure check of the low pressure chamber of the
NLG shock absorber to determine if its charging operation is within
the limits specified in the Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM).
Perform the pressure check in accordance with procedures described
in the service bulletin.
(i) If the charging operation is within the limits specified in
the AMM, repeat the pressure check at intervals not to exceed 7
days, until the installation required by paragraph (b) of this AD is
accomplished.
(ii) If the charging operation is outside the limits specified
in the AMM, prior to further flight, recharge the shock absorber in
accordance with procedures described in the AMM. Thereafter, repeat
the pressure check at intervals not to exceed 7 days, until the
installation required by paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished.
(2) Perform a torque check of the nose wheel steering to
determine if the charging operation of the NLG shock absorber is
within the limits specified in the service bulletin. Perform the
torque check in accordance with procedures described in the service
bulletin.
(i) If the average load computed is greater than or equal to 130
ft. lbs. (18 mdaN), repeat the torque check at intervals not to
exceed 7 days, until the installation required by paragraph (b) of
this AD is accomplished.
(ii) If the average load computed is greater than 87 ft. lbs.,
but less than 130 ft. lbs., (12 to 18 mdaN), within 3 landings or 7
days after performing the torque check, whichever occurs later,
recharge the shock absorber in accordance with the service bulletin.
Flights on which the landing gear will be retracted are authorized.
Thereafter, repeat the torque check at intervals not to exceed 7
days, until the installation required by paragraph (b) of this AD is
accomplished.
(iii) If the average load computed is less than or equal to 87
ft. lbs. (12 mdaN), prior to further flight, recharge the shock
absorber in accordance with service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the
torque check at intervals not to exceed 7 days, until the
installation required by paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished.
(b) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, install
a relay in the right side of the electrical rack in accordance with
Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F900-150 (F900-32-12), dated May
9, 1994. Accomplishment of this installation constitutes terminating
action for both the pressure checks and the torque checks required
by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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.
(d) The checks and recharging shall be done in accordance with
Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F900-A149 (F900-A32-11), dated
April 13, 1994. The installation shall be done in accordance with
Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F900-150 (F900-32-12), dated May
9, 1994. The incorporation by reference of these documents were
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
Dassault International, Inc., P. O. Box 624, Paramus, New Jersey
07653-9925. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on July 12, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 20, 1994.
Robert C. McCracken,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-15381 Filed 6-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
