[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 15, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49969-49971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23475]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-11-AD; Amendment 39-11311; AD 99-19-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900, 
Falcon 900EX, and Falcon 2000 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 Model Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, 
and Falcon 2000 series airplanes, that requires replacement of the 
elevator auxiliary artificial feel unit (AFU) with a new elevator 
auxiliary AFU. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
failure of the elevator auxiliary AFU. Failure of an AFU, coupled with 
a control linkage disconnection upstream of the servo actuator and 
downstream of the main AFU, could result in reduced controllability of 
the airplane.

DATES: Effective October 20, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New 
Jersey 07606. 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: 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 certain Dassault Model Mystere-
Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, and Falcon 2000 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on June 28, 1999 (64 FR 34584). That 
action proposed to require replacement of the elevator auxiliary 
artificial feel unit (AFU) with a new elevator auxiliary AFU.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request to Revise Statement of Unsafe Condition

    One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the FAA clarify the 
unsafe condition by adding the words, ``upstream of the servo actuator 
and downstream of the main AFU'' to the language specified in certain 
sections of the proposed AD. The commenter states that the single loss 
of elevator auxiliary AFU or the loss of elevator auxiliary AFU coupled 
with a control linkage disconnection upstream of the main AFU will have 
no direct consequences on the airworthiness of an airplane. However, 
the loss of an auxiliary AFU coupled with the control linkage 
disconnection upstream of the servo actuator and downstream of the main 
AFU is a failure with consequences considered to be catastrophic.
    The FAA concurs with the request. The FAA agrees that further 
clarification in regard to the unsafe condition is necessary and has 
added the words suggested by the commenter to this final rule. (The FAA 
acknowledges that the Discussion section of the proposed AD also needs 
clarification in regard to the unsafe condition, however, because the 
Discussion section is not restated in the final rule, no change to this 
final rule is necessary in this regard.)

Request to Revise Relevant Service Information

    The same commenter requests that the relevant service information 
of the proposed AD be revised to reference the applicable Airplane 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) revisions. In support of this request, the 
commenter notes that after investigations and discussion with the 
Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), the bushing of the AFU, 
part number 
(P/N) 105045-10, is considered to be a 2,000-landing safe-life part. 
Furthermore, the commenter notes that the AMM revisions were required 
by French airworthiness directives 98-429-023(B) and 98-428-007(B), 
each dated November 4, 1998.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. The FAA 
acknowledges that the AMM's have

[[Page 49970]]

been revised to include safe-life limits for the elevator auxiliary AFU 
having
P/N 105045-10. However, this AD requires that operators install a new 
AFU, P/N 105045-13, that does not have life limits. Additionally, 
paragraph (b) of this AD does not allow operators to install the old 
AFU's referenced by the commenter, as of the effective date of this AD. 
The FAA has determined that there is no need to refer to the AMM 
revisions that include the life limits of the old part. Therefore, no 
change to the final rule in this regard is necessary.

Request to Revise the Compliance Time

    The same commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the compliance 
time of the proposed AD be revised to read, ``The elevator auxiliary 
AFU P/N 105045-10 which have reached or exceeded 2,000 landings must be 
replaced within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.'' The 
commenter states that the current compliance time would penalize 
operators whose airplanes are far from 2,000 landings. The commenter 
also states that spare parts availability has been determined according 
to the French airworthiness directives 98-429-023(B) and 98-428-007(B), 
each dated November 4, 1998.
    The FAA does not concur. The FAA acknowledges the comment, but 
points out that the commenter fails to recognize the last phrase in the 
compliance sentence, ``whichever occurs later.'' Therefore, an airplane 
that has accumulated very few landings as of the effective date of this 
AD will have until 2,000 total landings to comply with the requirements 
of this AD. The compliance time of this AD as written, aligns with the 
French airworthiness directives. Therefore, no change to the final rule 
in this regard is necessary.

Conclusion

    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 described 
previously. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 186 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this required AD, that it will take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will be 
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the required AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $33,480, or $180 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, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

99-19-24  Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-11311. Docket 99-NM-11-AD.

    Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, and 
Falcon 2000 series airplanes, equipped with an elevator auxiliary 
artificial feel unit (AFU), part number 105045-10; 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 (c) 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 failure of the elevator auxiliary AFU, coupled with a 
control linkage disconnection upstream of the servo actuator and 
downstream of the main AFU, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Prior to the accumulation of 2,000 total landings, or within 
6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, replace the elevator auxiliary AFU, part number 105045-10, 
with an elevator auxiliary AFU, part number 105045-13, in accordance 
with Dassault Service Bulletin F900-235, dated October 13, 1998 (for 
Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes); F900EX-88, dated October 
20, 1998 (for Model Falcon 900EX series airplanes); or F2000-175, 
dated October 20, 1998 (for Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes); as 
applicable.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an elevator auxiliary AFU, part number 105045-10, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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

[[Page 49971]]

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Dassault 
Service Bulletin F900-235, dated October 13, 1998; Dassault Service 
Bulletin F900EX-88, dated October 20, 1998; or Dassault Service 
Bulletin F2000-175, dated October 20, 1998; as applicable. 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 Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, 
South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 98-429-023(B) and 98-428-007(B), both dated 
November 4, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 20, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 2, 1999.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23475 Filed 9-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P