[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 6, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16157]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 6, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-159-AD; Amendment 39-8963; AD 94-14-15]

 

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Model Mystere-Falcon 
50 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Dassault Aviation Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series 
airplanes, that requires replacement of certain attachment clamps 
installed on the engine exhaust ducts with improved clamps. This 
amendment is prompted by reports of failures of certain attachment 
clamps due to fatigue cracking. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent such failures, which could cause exhaust gas to 
leak and, subsequently, could trigger a false engine fire alarm.

DATES: Effective August 5, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 5, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Falcon Jet Corporation, Customer Support Department, 
Teterboro Airport, Teterboro, New Jersey 07608. This information may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Slotte, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANM-113, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2797; fax (206) 227-
1320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dassault Aviation Model 
Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on November 22, 1993 (58 FR 61636). That action proposed to 
require replacement of certain attachment clamps installed on the 
engine exhaust ducts with improved clamps.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter requests that paragraph (b) of the rule be revised to 
indicate that instructions for verifying that the clamp screw is 
straight are contained in Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-229 
(F50-54-13), Revision 1, dated July 21, 1993 (which is the service 
bulletin cited elsewhere in the proposed rule). The commenter notes 
that those instructions indicate that the verification cannot be made 
if the clamp is installed; the clamp must be removed from the tail pipe 
attachment in order to determine if it is bent or not. The FAA concurs 
with the commenter's request and has revised the final rule 
accordingly.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    The FAA estimates that 133 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the 
manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,315, or 
$55 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
``ADDRESSES.''

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13    [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-14-15 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-8963. Docket 93-NM-159-AD.

    Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 2 through 216, inclusive; equipped with exhaust duct 
attachment clamps, part number (P/N) NH1002299-10 or P/N NH1007763-
10; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent failure of attachment clamps installed on the engine 
exhaust ducts, which could cause exhaust gas to leak and, 
subsequently, could trigger a false engine fire alarm, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) For airplanes equipped with exhaust duct attachment clamps 
having P/N NH1002299-10: Within 300 flight hours after the effective 
date of this AD, or within 6 months after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs first, replace attachment clamps having P/N 
NH1002299-10 with attachment clamps having P/N NH1007763-10, in 
accordance with Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-229 (F50-54-
13), Revision 1, dated July 21, 1993.
    (b) For airplanes equipped with exhaust duct attachment clamps 
having P/N NH1007763-10: Within 1,400 flight hours after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the attachment clamps installed 
on the engine exhaust ducts to verify if the clamp screw is straight 
(not bent), in accordance with Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin 
F50-229 (F50-54-13), Revision 1, dated July 21, 1993.
    (1) If the clamp screw is straight, prior to further flight, 
verify if the tightening torque value of the screw is marked on the 
attachment clamp as follows: ``NORMAL NET TORQUE 100-120 IN-LBS.''
    (i) If the marking is as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
AD, no further action is required.
    (ii) If the marking is not as specified in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this AD, prior to further flight, erase the incorrect marking and 
replace it with the correct tightening torque value.
    (iii) After correcting the marking, prior to further flight, 
ensure that the clamp screw is secured to the tightening torque 
value specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this AD.
    (2) If the clamp screw is bent, prior to further flight, replace 
the discrepant attachment clamp with a new attachment clamp having 
the same part number, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F50-229 (F50-54-
13), Revision 1, dated July 21, 1993.
    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an exhaust duct attachment clamp having P/N NH1007763-10 on any 
airplane, unless that attachment clamp is marked ``NORMAL NET TORQUE 
100-120 IN-LBS.''
    (d) 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, ANM-113, 
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, ANM-113.
    (e) 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Dassault 
Aviation Service Bulletin F50-229 (F50-54-13), Revision 1, dated 
July 21, 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Falcon Jet 
Corporation, Customer Support Department, Teterboro Airport, 
Teterboro, New Jersey 07608. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 5, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 28, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-16157 Filed 7-5-94; 8:45 am]
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