[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 79 (Monday, April 24, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21679-21681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10164]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-NM-56-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000, Mystere-
Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-
Falcon 20, Mystere-Falcon 200, and Falcon 10 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 Falcon 2000,
Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-Falcon 50,
Mystere-Falcon 20, Mystere-Falcon 200, and Falcon 10 series airplanes.
This proposal would require repetitive tests and inspections to detect
discrepancies of the overwing emergency exit; and corrective action, 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 failure of the overwing emergency exits to open, and consequent
injury to passengers or crew members during an emergency evacuation.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 24, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-56-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.
Information pertaining to this proposed rule 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, 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.
[[Page 21680]]
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 2000-NM-56-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. 2000-NM-56-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 Falcon 2000, Mystere-Falcon
900, Falcon 900EX, Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon
20, Mystere-Falcon 200, and Falcon 10 series airplanes. The DGAC
advises that service experience has shown that the overwing emergency
exits on Dassault Falcon series airplanes may not operate correctly.
This incorrect operation may be caused by interference between the
emergency exit and the upper part of the airframe structure, or between
the emergency exit and the interior accommodation. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in failure of the overwing emergency exits
to open, and consequent injury to passengers or crew members during an
emergency evacuation.
Related French Airworthiness Directives
The DGAC issued French airworthiness directives 1999-213-025(B)
(for Model Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 900, and Falcon 900EX
series airplanes), 1999-212-024(B) (for Model Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-
Falcon 20, and Mystere-Falcon 200 series airplanes), 1999-211-023(B)
(for Model Falcon 10 series airplanes), and 1999-210-009(B) (for Model
Falcon 2000 series airplanes); all dated May 19, 1999. These French
airworthiness directives require a test of the overwing emergency exit
from inside the cabin, in accordance with the applicable maintenance
manual procedures.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are 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 repetitive tests
and inspections to detect discrepancies of the overwing emergency exit;
and corrective action, if necessary. Procedures for accomplishment of
these actions are specified in the applicable aircraft maintenance
manual.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 767 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$46,020, or $60 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
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 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 proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
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 2000-NM-56-AD.
Applicability: All Model Falcon 2000, Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon
900EX, Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 20,
Mystere-Falcon 200, and Falcon 10 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 failure of the overwing emergency exits to open, and
consequent injury to passengers or crew members during an emergency
evacuation, accomplish the following:
Operational Test and Inspection
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an operational test and detailed visual inspection of the overwing
emergency exit from inside the cabin to detect discrepancies
(including separation, tearing, wearing,
[[Page 21681]]
arcing, cracking) in the areas and components listed in Chapter 5
(ATA Code 52) of the applicable airplane maintenance manual (AMM).
Accomplish the actions in accordance with the applicable AMM. If any
discrepancy is detected during any test or inspection required by
this paragraph, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with
Chapter 5 (ATA Code 52) of the applicable AMM. Repeat the
operational test and inspection thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 13 months.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual
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 directives 1999-213-025(B), 1999-212-024(B), 1999-211-
023(B), and 1999-210-009(B); all dated May 19, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 18, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-10164 Filed 4-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U