[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 117 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33244-33246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16052]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-25-AD; Amendment 39-10603; AD 98-13-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 200, Fan 
Jet Falcon, and Mystere-Falcon 20 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 all Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 200, Fan Jet Falcon, 
and Mystere-Falcon 20 series airplanes, that requires repetitive 
inspections to detect cracks at the attaching holes of the wing-to-
fuselage fairings and to ensure tightness of the attaching screws; and 
repair of any discrepancy. This amendment also requires installation of 
cupwashers under the vertical seams of the upper fairings. This 
amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority.

[[Page 33245]]

The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of the 
wing-to-fuselage upper fairings during flight, which could result in 
the fairings impacting the engines or tail sections, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
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: 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 all Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 
200, Fan Jet Falcon, and Mystere-Falcon 20 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on April 20, 1998 (63 FR 19427). That 
action proposed to require repetitive inspections to detect cracks at 
the attaching holes of the wing-to-fuselage fairings and to ensure 
tightness of the attaching screws; and repair of any discrepancy. That 
action also proposed to require installation of cupwashers under the 
vertical seams of the upper fairings.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 239 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $28,680, or $120 per 
airplane.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

98-13-15  Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-10603. Docket 98-NM-25-AD.

    Applicability: All Model Mystere-Falcon 200, Fan Jet Falcon, and 
Mystere-Falcon 20 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 
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 loss of the wing-to-fuselage upper fairings during 
flight, which could result in the fairings impacting the engines or 
tail sections, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 7 months or 330 flight hours after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish the requirements of 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with Chapter 
53-50-0, dated May 1996, of Fan Jet Falcon Dassault Aviation 
Maintenance Manual Phase 34, dated June 1997 (for Model Fan Jet 
Falcon and Mystere-Falcon 20 series airplanes); or Chapter 53, 
Procedure 731-3 of Mystere-Falcon 200 Dassault Aviation Maintenance 
Manual, Revision 12, dated April 30, 1996 (for Model Mystere-Falcon 
200 series airplanes); as applicable.
    (1) Perform an inspection to detect cracks at the attaching 
holes of the wing-to-fuselage fairings and to ensure tightness of 
the screws. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
repair. If a repair is not specified in the applicable maintenance 
manual, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method 
approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at 
intervals not to exceed 6 months or 300 flight hours, whichever 
occurs first.
    (2) Install cupwashers under the vertical seams of the upper 
fairings.
    (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. 
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 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 96-092-021(B), dated April 24, 1996; and 
96-246-022(B), dated November 6, 1996.

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on July 23, 1998.


[[Page 33246]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 11, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16052 Filed 6-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U