[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 155 (Thursday, August 12, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43961-43963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20892]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-377-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
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 Falcon 2000
series airplanes. This proposal would require a detailed inspection for
interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and
corrective action, if necessary. This proposal also would require
modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks; and
a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl
for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the
upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, if necessary. 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 unintended
disengagement of the engine cowl hooks during ground maintenance, which
could result in in-flight loss of an engine cowl from the airplane and
possible damage to the airplane and persons or property on the ground.
DATES: Comments must be received by September 13, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-377-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,
[[Page 43962]]
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 98-NM-377-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. 98-NM-377-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 Falcon 2000 series
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during flight, an engine cowl
separated from an airplane. A definitive cause for the separation could
not be determined because critical pieces of the cowling were not
recovered. The separation is thought to have been caused by
disengagement of a forward attachment hook during ground maintenance.
This theory is supported by another report received from an operator
that noted that after closing the cowling during ground maintenance the
forward hook was not properly engaged. The existing design of the
attachment hook may not adequately prevent such disengagement. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in in-flight loss of an
engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and
persons or property on the ground.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F2000-133, Revision 1, dated
October 7, 1998, which describes procedures for a detailed inspection
for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and
trimming the upper cowl slots, if necessary. The service bulletin also
describes procedures for modification of the attachment supports of the
inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks
on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between
the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls, and corrective actions,
if necessary. The modification involves trimming the attachment support
of each lock and applying a corrosion protective coating. The
corrective actions involve replacing the safety hammer return springs,
front and rear outer attachment hooks, and safety hammers; and trimming
the outer edges of the lower cowl, if necessary. Accomplishment of the
actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately
address the identified unsafe condition.
The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
French airworthiness directive 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998, in
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
France.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 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 bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 39 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 inspections and
modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
Required parts would cost approximately $9 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $7,371, or $189 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 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.
[[Page 43963]]
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 98-NM-377-AD.
Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, serial
numbers 2 through 72 inclusive, except those airplanes on which
modification M1486 (reference Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133,
dated July 29, 1998, or Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998) has been
accomplished; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 (b) 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 unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks
during ground maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of
the engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the
airplane and persons or property on the ground, accomplish the
following:
Corrective Actions
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3)
of this AD in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133,
Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998.
(1) Perform a detailed inspection for interference between the
safety-lock hooks and upper cowls. If the clearance is outside the
limits specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight,
trim the edges of the upper cowl slots.
(2) Modify the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks.
(3) Perform a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on
the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between
the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls. If any discrepancy is
detected, prior to further flight, perform the applicable corrective
action specified in the service bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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 3: 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
(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.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20892 Filed 8-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
