[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 238 (Thursday, December 11, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65230-65231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32423]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-190-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50 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 all Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 
50 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection 
of the clearances around the wiring harnesses of the right-hand 
electrical cabinet, and readjustment of the clearances, if necessary. 
This proposal would also require installation of protective strips on 
the wiring harnesses and equipment supports. This proposal is prompted 
by issuance of mandatory continued airworthiness information by a 
foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent interference between the wiring 
harnesses and adjacent equipment, support brackets, and structural 
elements, which could cause an electrical short circuit resulting in 
fire, and consequent loss of electrical power to essential flight 
systems.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-190-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: International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
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 97-NM-190-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. 97-NM-190-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 all Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that it received a report of an in-flight 
incident, in which interference between a wiring harness cable and an 
equipment support bracket resulted in an electrical short. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in fire and loss of 
electrical power to essential flight systems.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F50-256 (F50-20-5), Revision 
1, dated December 22, 1996, which describes procedures for a one-time 
inspection (measurement) of the clearances between the wiring harnesses 
and the equipment, support brackets, and structural elements between 
fuselage frames 9 and 11, on the right-hand electrical cabinet; and 
adjustment of these clearances, if necessary. Additionally, the service 
bulletin describes procedures for installation of Teflon protective 
strips on the wiring harnesses and rubber protective strips on the rear 
edges of the equipment supports. 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 96-094-017(B)R1, dated December 18, 
1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes 
in France.

[[Page 65231]]

FAA's Conclusions

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 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 155 Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $355 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $110,825, or $715 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.

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-190-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes, 
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 interference between the wiring harnesses and 
adjacent equipment, support brackets, and structural elements, which 
could cause an electrical short circuit resulting in fire, and 
consequent loss of electrical power to essential flight systems; 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months or 300 flight hours after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish the requirements of 
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD in accordance with 
Dassault Service Bulletin F50-256 (F50-20-5), Revision 1, dated 
December 22, 1996.
    (1) Perform a one-time inspection of the clearances between the 
wiring harnesses and the adjacent equipment, support brackets, and 
structural elements. If any clearance is outside the limits 
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, readjust 
the clearances in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) Install Teflon protective strips on the wiring harnesses in 
the vicinity of the equipment supports.
    (3) Install rubber protective strips to the rear edges of the 
equipment supports.
    (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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 96-094-017(B)R1, dated December 18, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 5, 1997.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32423 Filed 12-10-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U