Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 Airplanes, 58634-58635 [05-20272]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 194 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58634-58635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20272]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22633; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-155-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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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 https://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
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: (202) 493-2251.
     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 (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

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 https://
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 https://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
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 (800) 647-
5227) 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 G[eacute]n[eacute]rale 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,

[[Page 58635]]

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  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 Sec.  
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.
[FR Doc. 05-20272 Filed 10-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P