05-20272. Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 Airplanes

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 airplanes. This proposed AD would require an inspection for the presence of fail-safe pins, nuts, and washers on each engine, and replacement of the fail-safe fastener assembly with a new assembly if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of a missing pin of a fail-safe fastener. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of an engine mount due to a missing pin of a fail-safe fastener, and possible separation of an engine from the airplane during flight.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 7, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this proposed AD.

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: [phone].
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606, for service information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number “FAA-2005-22633; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-155-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov,, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone [phone]) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

The Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 airplanes. The DGAC advises that the inner pin of a fail-safe fastener, which ensures the link between the rear of the engine and the fuselage, has been found missing on an in-service airplane. Lack of clarity in a production procedure is suspected to be the cause of this event. A missing pin of a fail-safe fastener, if not corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of an engine mount, and possible separation of an engine from the airplane during flight.

Relevant Service Information

Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F2000-301, dated February 2, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for a detailed inspection for the presence of fail-safe pins, nuts, and washers on each engine, and replacement of the fail-safe fastener assembly with a new assembly if necessary. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated the service information and issued French airworthiness directive F-2005-018, dated February 2, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

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. We have examined the DGAC's findings, evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously, except as discussed under “Difference Between Proposed Rule, French Airworthiness Directive, and Referenced Service Bulletin.”

Difference Between Proposed Rule, French Airworthiness Directive, and Referenced Service Bulletin

The French airworthiness directive requires operators to inform the airplane manufacturer of inspection results. The Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service bulletin describe procedures for submitting a comment sheet related to service bulletin quality, a sheet recording compliance with the service bulletin, and reply card noting the precise location of any missing component. However, this proposed AD would not require those actions. We do not need this information from operators.

Costs of Compliance

This proposed AD would affect about 149 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the inspection proposed by this AD for U.S. operators is $9,685, or $65 per airplane.

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.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the 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. 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2005-22633; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-155-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 7, 2005.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Dassault Model Falcon 2000 airplanes, certificated in any category; up to and including serial number 212, excluding serial number 208.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a report of a missing pin of a double fail-safe fastener. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of an engine mount due to a missing pin of a fail-safe fastener, and possible separation of an engine from the airplane during flight.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Inspection and Replacement

(f) Before the accumulation of 3,750 total landings, or within 2 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do a detailed inspection for the presence of fail-safe pins, nuts, and washers on each engine, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-301, dated February 2, 2005. If any component is found missing at an attachment point, before further flight, replace the fail-safe fastener assembly with a new assembly, in accordance with the service bulletin.

Note 1:

For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.”

(g) Inspections and replacements done in accordance with Chapter 54-003 of the Dassault Falcon 2000 Maintenance Manual are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.

No Reporting

(h) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(i)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

(j) French airworthiness directive F-2005-018, dated February 2, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 2005.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.