[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34584-34586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16331]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-11-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900,
Falcon 900EX, and Falcon 2000 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
[[Page 34585]]
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dassault Model Mystere-
Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, and Falcon 2000 series airplanes. This
proposal would require replacement of the elevator auxiliary artificial
feel unit (AFU) with a new elevator auxiliary AFU. 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 failure of the elevator
auxiliary AFU. Failure of an AFU, coupled with a control linkage
disconnection, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 28, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-11-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, 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
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 99-NM-11-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. 99-NM-11-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 Model Mystere-Falcon 900,
Falcon 900EX, and Falcon 2000 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that,
during an inspection, the bushing of the elevator auxiliary artificial
feel unit (AFU), was found broken due to fatigue. The DGAC also advises
that the elevator auxiliary AFU failure could affect the elevator
neutral position return if linkage disconnection upstream of the servo
actuator occurs. Such elevator auxiliary AFU failure, coupled with a
control linkage disconnection, if not corrected, could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dassault has issued Service Bulletins F900-235, dated October 13,
1998 (for Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes), F900EX-88, dated
October 20, 1998 (for Model Falcon 900EX series airplanes), and F2000-
175, dated October 20, 1998 (for Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes).
These service bulletins describe procedures for replacement of the
elevator auxiliary AFU with a new elevator auxiliary AFU that has
improved fatigue properties. Accomplishment of the actions specified in
these service bulletins is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified these service
bulletins as mandatory and issued French airworthiness directives 98-
429-023(B) and 98-428-007(B), both dated November 4, 1998, in order to
assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are 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.
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 in the service bulletins described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 186 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would be
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $33,480, or $180 per airplane.
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
[[Page 34586]]
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 99-NM-11-AD.
Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, and
Falcon 2000 series airplanes, equipped with an elevator auxiliary
artificial feel unit (AFU), part number 105045-10; certificated in
any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 (c) 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 failure of the elevator auxiliary AFU, coupled with a
control linkage disconnection, which could result in reduced
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 total landings, or within
6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, replace the elevator auxiliary AFU, part number 105045-10,
with an elevator auxiliary AFU, part number 105045-13, in accordance
with Dassault Service Bulletin F900-235, dated October 13, 1998 (for
Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes); F900EX-88, dated October
20, 1998 (for Model Falcon 900EX series airplanes); or F2000-175,
dated October 20, 1998 (for Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes); as
applicable.
Spares
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an elevator auxiliary AFU, part number 105045-10, on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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.
Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Sec. Sec. 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 directives 98-429-023(B) and 98-428-007(B), both dated
November 4, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 22, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-16331 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
