[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 2, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15475-15476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7411]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-335-AD; Amendment 39-12690; AD 2002-06-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50 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 50 series 
airplanes, that requires repetitive tests of double-skin feeder tanks 
for fuel leaks, and corrective actions, if necessary. It also requires 
modification of seals in the feeder tanks, which terminates the 
repetitive leak tests. This amendment is prompted by issuance of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign 
airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent fuel leaks from the feeder tanks, which could result in fuel 
vapors in the cabin that could come into contact with ignition sources. 
The actions are intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 7, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 7, 2002.

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: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1137; 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 50 series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register on January 2, 2002 (67 FR 
33). That action proposed to require repetitive tests of double-skin 
feeder tanks for fuel leaks, and corrective actions, if necessary. It 
also proposed to require modification of seals in the feeder tanks, 
which would have terminated the repetitive leak tests.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received in response 
to the proposed rule 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 46 Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes 
of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required leak 
tests, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the required leak tests on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $22,080, or $480 per airplane per test.
    The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 50 work hours per 
airplane to rework the seals in the feeder tanks, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. The required parts will be provided at 
no charge to the operator. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
reworking the seals on U.S. operators is estimated to be $138,000, or 
$3,000 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include

[[Page 15476]]

incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close 
up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative 
actions.

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, 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:

2002-06-12  Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-12690. Docket 2000-NM-
335-AD.

    Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, serial numbers 222 to 286 inclusive, 
288, 290, and 291.

    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 (d) 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 fuel leaks from the feeder tanks, which could result 
in fuel vapors in the cabin that could come into contact with 
ignition sources, accomplish the following:

Leak Testing

    (a) Within 7 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a feeder tank leak test by sampling at the drain ports of frames 29 
and 31, in accordance with Work Card No. 686.3/1 of the Dassault 
Falcon 50 Maintenance Manual, Revision 07, dated August 2001. Repeat 
the leak test at intervals not to exceed 13 months, until 
accomplishment of paragraph (c) of this AD.

Corrective Action

    (b) If the feeder tank leak test indicates that a leak is 
present: Prior to further flight, renew the seal, in accordance with 
Work Card No. 686.4/1 of the Dassault Falcon 50 Maintenance Manual, 
Revision 07, dated August 2001.

Modification

    (c) Within 78 months since the date of manufacture of the 
airplane: Rework the seals of the double-skin feeder tanks at frames 
28 and 31, in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F50-328, 
dated May 31, 2000. Accomplishment of the rework terminates the 
requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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. 
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 Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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

    (f) The modification shall be done in accordance with Dassault 
Service Bulletin F50-328, dated May 31, 2000. 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 directive 2000-163-030(B), dated April 19, 2000.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 7, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 21, 2002.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-7411 Filed 4-1-02; 8:45 am]
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