[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 164 (Friday, August 23, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54596-54597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21507]



[[Page 54596]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-364-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 performing an inspection 
to determine the serial number on the identification plate on each of 
the three hydraulic shut-off valve (HSOV) actuators on the left-hand 
and right-hand hydraulic reservoirs, and replacing an HSOV actuator 
with a new HSOV actuator, if necessary. This action is necessary to 
ensure that proper HSOV actuators are installed on the hydraulic fluid 
reservoirs. In the event of an engine fire, a faulty HSOV, if not 
corrected, could allow the flow of flammable fluid to the engine 
nacelle, which could result in an engine nacelle fire that could not be 
readily extinguished. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-364-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-364-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1503; 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2001-NM-364-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. 2001-NM-364-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale 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 it has received reports of a 
batch of faulty hydraulic shut-off valve (HSOV) actuators that may be 
installed on the hydraulic reservoirs of certain Model Falcon 2000 
series airplanes. The left-hand hydraulic reservoir has two HSOV 
actuators, and the right-hand hydraulic reservoir has one HSOV 
actuator. An HSOV actuator is intended to close the HSOV in order to 
stop the flow of flammable fluid to the engine nacelle in the event of 
a fire. The faulty HSOV actuators have defective switches and may not 
close the HSOVs when required. The cause of these faulty HSOV actuators 
has been attributed to a manufacturing process error during the 
production of the HSOV actuators. This condition, if not corrected, 
could allow the flow of flammable fluid to the engine nacelle, which 
could result in an engine nacelle fire that could not be readily 
extinguished.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F2000-A223, dated October 17, 
2001, which describes procedures for an inspection to determine the 
serial number on the identification plate on each of the three HSOV 
actuators on the left-hand and right-hand hydraulic reservoirs. The 
service bulletin also describes procedures for replacing an HSOV 
actuator with a new HSOV actuator (including torquing the screw), 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 2001-497-011(B), dated October 
17, 2001, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in France. The French airworthiness directive contains a 
typographical error in that it references Dassault Service Bulletin 
``F2000-223'' instead of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-A223.

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

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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 Dassault service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 87 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work 
hours 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 
$10,440, or $120 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 proposed 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 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 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 2001-NM-364-AD.

    Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 2 through 132, except serial numbers 123, 130, and 131; 
certificated in any category; excluding those airplanes on which the 
actions specified in Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-A223, dated 
October 17, 2001, has been done.

    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 an engine nacelle fire that cannot be readily 
extinguished, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
to determine the serial number on the identification plate on each 
of the three hydraulic shut-off valve (HSOV) actuators on the left-
hand and right-hand hydraulic reservoirs, per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin.

Corrective Action

    (b) If any serial number specified in paragraph 2.B.(3) of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-A223, 
dated October 17, 2001, is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, replace the HSOV 
actuator with a new HSOV actuator (including torquing the screw), 
per the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin 
F2000-A223, dated October 17, 2001.

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, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2001-497-011(B), dated October 17, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 19, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-21507 Filed 8-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P