[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48187-48189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-24342]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-198-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 revision to the
Limitations section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to
limit the allowed loads in the baggage compartment aft of the center
baggage net. The proposed AD also would require replacement of the
center baggage net in the baggage compartment with a net having
reinforced straps, which would terminate the requirement for the AFM
revision. This proposal is prompted by a report indicating that the
center baggage net cannot sustain design loads in the event of an
accident. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent injury to passengers, as a result of inadequate breaking
strength of the baggage net, in the event of an accident.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 10, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-198-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 Corporation, Teterboro Airport, 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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1503; 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 No. 97-NM-198-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-198-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.
[[Page 48188]]
Discussion
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 certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 series
airplanes. The DGAC advises that a static strength test, conducted by
Dassault, demonstrated that the main straps of the center baggage net
installed in the baggage compartment did not sustain the maximum
allowed loads permitted aft of the net. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in injury to passengers in the event of an
accident.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dassault issued Falcon 2000 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Temporary
Change No. 31 (undated), which describes procedures for revising the
AFM to limit allowed loads in the baggage compartment aft of the center
baggage net. Dassault also has issued Service Bulletin F2000-76 (F2000-
25-2), dated December 11, 1996, which describes procedures for
replacing the center baggage net in the baggage compartment with a net
having reinforced straps. Accomplishment of the replacement eliminates
the need for the AFM revision. The DGAC classified this service
bulletin and AFM temporary change as mandatory and issued French
airworthiness directive 96-291-002(B), dated December 4, 1996, 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 a revision to the
Limitations section of the FAA-approved AFM to limit the allowed loads
in the baggage compartment aft of the center baggage net. The proposed
AD also would require replacing the center baggage net in the baggage
compartment with a net having reinforced straps, which would terminate
the requirement for the AFM revision. The actions would be required to
be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin and AFM
temporary change described previously.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 20 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $520 per airplane. Based
on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators of the replacement
proposed by this AD is estimated to be $11,600, or $580 per airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
the proposed AFM revision, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators of the
AFM revision proposed by this AD is estimated to be $1,200, or $60 per
airplane.
Based on the above figures, the total cost impact on U.S. operators
of the proposed replacement and AFM revision is estimated to be
$12,800, or $640 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
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 97-NM-198-AD.
Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 airplanes, serial numbers 2
through 31 inclusive; 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 (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 injury to passengers as a result of inadequate
breaking strength of the baggage net, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise
the Limitations section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) by inserting into the AFM a copy of Falcon 2000 AFM Temporary
Change No. 31 (undated).
Note 2: The revision of the AFM required by this paragraph may
be accomplished by inserting a copy of Falcon 2000 AFM Temporary
Change No. 31 in the AFM. When this temporary change has been
incorporated into general revisions of the AFM, the general
revisions may be inserted in the AFM,
[[Page 48189]]
provided that the information contained in the general revisions is
identical to that specified in Falcon 2000 AFM Temporary Change No.
31.
(b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the center baggage net in the baggage compartment with a net having
reinforced straps, in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin
F2000-76 (F2000-25-2), dated December 21, 996. After this
replacement is accomplished, the AFM revision required by paragraph
(a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
(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, Standardization Branch, 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,
Standardization Branch.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Manager, Standardization Branch.
(d) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 9, 1997.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-24342 Filed 9-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
