[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 155 (Thursday, August 12, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43961-43963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20892]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-377-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 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 certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a detailed inspection for 
interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and 
corrective action, if necessary. This proposal also would require 
modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks; and 
a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl 
for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the 
upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, if necessary. This 
proposal is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent unintended 
disengagement of the engine cowl hooks during ground maintenance, which 
could result in in-flight loss of an engine cowl from the airplane and 
possible damage to the airplane and persons or property on the ground.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-377-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, 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: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,

[[Page 43962]]

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 98-NM-377-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. 98-NM-377-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 certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 series 
airplanes. The DGAC advises that, during flight, an engine cowl 
separated from an airplane. A definitive cause for the separation could 
not be determined because critical pieces of the cowling were not 
recovered. The separation is thought to have been caused by 
disengagement of a forward attachment hook during ground maintenance. 
This theory is supported by another report received from an operator 
that noted that after closing the cowling during ground maintenance the 
forward hook was not properly engaged. The existing design of the 
attachment hook may not adequately prevent such disengagement. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in in-flight loss of an 
engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and 
persons or property on the ground.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F2000-133, Revision 1, dated 
October 7, 1998, which describes procedures for a detailed inspection 
for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and 
trimming the upper cowl slots, if necessary. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures for modification of the attachment supports of the 
inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks 
on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between 
the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls, and corrective actions, 
if necessary. The modification involves trimming the attachment support 
of each lock and applying a corrosion protective coating. The 
corrective actions involve replacing the safety hammer return springs, 
front and rear outer attachment hooks, and safety hammers; and trimming 
the outer edges of the lower cowl, if necessary. 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 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998, in 
order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in 
France.

FAA's Conclusions

    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. 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 39 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspections and 
modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $9 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $7,371, or $189 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.

[[Page 43963]]

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 98-NM-377-AD.

    Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 2 through 72 inclusive, except those airplanes on which 
modification M1486 (reference Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, 
dated July 29, 1998, or Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998) has been 
accomplished; 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 unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks 
during ground maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of 
the engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the 
airplane and persons or property on the ground, accomplish the 
following:

Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) 
of this AD in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, 
Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998.
    (1) Perform a detailed inspection for interference between the 
safety-lock hooks and upper cowls. If the clearance is outside the 
limits specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, 
trim the edges of the upper cowl slots.
    (2) Modify the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks.
    (3) Perform a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on 
the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between 
the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls. If any discrepancy is 
detected, prior to further flight, perform the applicable corrective 
action specified in the service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 6, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20892 Filed 8-11-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P