[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13668-13669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6156]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-319-AD; Amendment 39-11630; AD 2000-05-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Fan Jet Falcon Series 
Airplanes; Model Mystere-Falcon 20, 50, 200, and 900 Series Airplanes; 
and Model Falcon 10, 900EX, and 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 Fan Jet Falcon series airplanes; 
Model Mystere-Falcon 20, 50, 200, and 900 series airplanes; and Model 
Falcon 10, 900EX, and 2000 series airplanes, that requires a functional 
test of the passenger oxygen masks, determination of the part number of 
the installed oxygen mask bags; and corrective action, if necessary. 
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 ensure that proper 
plastic bags of the passenger oxygen masks are installed, and that the 
masks are functioning properly. Improper plastic bags that have cracks 
or improperly functioning masks could result in insufficient oxygen to 
passengers in the event of rapid depressurization of the airplane.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 18, 2000.

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 certain Dassault Model Fan Jet 
Falcon series airplanes; Model Mystere-Falcon 20, 50, 200, and 900 
series airplanes; and Model Falcon 10, 900EX, and 2000 series airplanes 
was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1999 (64 FR 
68963). That action proposed to require a functional test of the 
passenger oxygen masks, determination of the part number of the 
installed oxygen mask bags; and corrective action, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to this AD 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 as many as 767 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required test and determination, 
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 
$184,080, or $240 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 will accomplish those

[[Page 13669]]

actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2000-05-20 Dassault Aviation [Formerly Avions Marcel Dassault-
Breguet Aviation (AMD/BA)]: Amendment 39-11630. Docket 99-NM-319-AD.

    Applicability: Model Fan Jet Falcon airplanes, Model Mystere-
Falcon 20, 50, 200, and 900 series airplanes, and Model Falcon 10, 
900EX, and 2000 series airplanes; equipped with EROS passenger 
oxygen masks, part number (P/N) MW 37-09, MW 37-11, MW 37-14, MW 37-
18, MW 37-28, MW 37-31, or MW 37-36; 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 (e) 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 ensure that proper plastic bags of the passenger oxygen masks 
are installed, and that the masks are functioning properly, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 10 flights after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a functional test of the passenger oxygen masks in 
accordance with Chapter 5 (ATA Code 35) of the airplane maintenance 
manual (AMM) for the affected airplanes, as applicable; and 
determine the P/N of the installed oxygen mask bags.

Corrective Actions

    (b) If any Scott oxygen mask bag, P/N 289-801-235, is installed, 
prior to further flight, accomplish either paragraph (b)(1) or 
(b)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Replace the bag with a new bag, P/N 289-601-235, in 
accordance with Chapter 5 (ATA Code 35) of the AMM for the affected 
airplanes, as applicable.
    (2) Render any affected seat inoperative, and within 30 days 
after rendering the affected seat inoperative, accomplish the action 
specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this AD.
    (c) If any discrepancy is detected during the functional test 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
repair the discrepancy in accordance with Chapter 5 (ATA Code 35) of 
the AMM for the affected airplanes, as applicable.

Spares

    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a SCOTT oxygen mask bag, P/N 289-801-235, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (f) 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 1999-270-025(B), dated June 30, 1999 (for 
Model Jet Falcon series airplanes, and Model Mystere-Falcon 20 and 
200 series airplanes); 1999-271-026(B), dated June 30, 1999 (for 
Model Mystere-Falcon 50 and 900 series airplanes, and Model Falcon 
900EX series airplanes); 1999-267-010(B), dated June 30, 1999 (for 
Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes); and 1999-269-024(B), dated June 
30, 1999 (for Model Falcon 10 series airplanes).

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 18, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6156 Filed 3-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P