[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74164-74166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31192]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-269-AD; Amendment 39-13395; AD 2003-25-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 900 EX and 
Mystere-Falcon 900 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 Falcon 900 EX and Mystere-Falcon 
900 series airplanes. This action requires installing an attachment 
support assembly for the fire extinguishing piping in the baggage 
compartment. For certain airplanes this action also requires modifying 
the liner panel of the baggage compartment. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent distortion of the fire extinguishing 
discharge nozzle as a result of the nozzle not being secure, which 
could result in poor diffusion of the fire extinguishing agent in the 
event of a fire in the baggage compartment. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 27, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 27, 2004.

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, 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: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

[[Page 74165]]

98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2125; 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 Falcon 900 
EX and Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes was published as a 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal 
Register on September 19, 2003 (68 FR 54866). The action proposed to 
require installing an attachment support assembly for the fire 
extinguishing piping in the baggage compartment. That action also 
proposed to require modification of the liner panel of the baggage 
compartment for certain airplanes.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the supplemental NPRM 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 in the supplemental NPRM.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 150 airplanes of U.S. registry are affected by 
this AD.
    It takes about 3 work hours per airplane to install the support 
assembly, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
are provided by the manufacturer at no cost to the operators. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of this action on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $29,250, or $195 per airplane.
    If required, the panel modification takes about 4 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed panel modification is 
estimated to be $260 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. 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 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-25-12 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-13395. Docket 2001-NM-
269-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplanes, certificated in any 
category:

                          Table--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Excluding
                                    airplanes
                                   modified in     Which corresponds to
            Model--              accordance with         Dassault
                                Dassault Service      Modification--
                                   Bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mystere-Falcon 900 series       F900-279, dated   M3368.
 airplanes.                      June 7, 2001.
                                or F900-279,      M3368 and M874.
                                 Revision 1,
                                 dated May 15,
                                 2002.
Falcon 900EX series airplanes.  F900EX--142,      F900EX M3368.
                                 dated June 7,
                                 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent distortion of the fire extinguishing discharge nozzle 
as a result of the nozzle not being secure, which could result in 
poor diffusion of the fire extinguishing agent in the event of a 
fire in the baggage compartment, accomplish the following:

Installation

    (a) Within 7 months or 330 flight hours after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever comes first, install an attachment support 
assembly for the fire extinguishing piping in the baggage 
compartment, in accordance with the following service information, 
as applicable:
    (1) For Model Falcon 900 EX series airplanes: Paragraphs 2.A. 
through 2.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service 
Bulletin F900EX-142, dated June 7, 2001.
    (2) For Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes: Paragraphs 
2.A. through 2.D., as applicable, of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Dassault Service Bulletin F900-279, Revision 1, dated May 15, 
2002. Paragraph 2.B. of this service bulletin includes a 
modification of the liner panel of the baggage compartment for 
airplanes having serial numbers 1 through 59 inclusive, with the 
nozzle directed downward.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (c) The actions shall be done in accordance with Dassault 
Service Bulletin F900EX-142,

[[Page 74166]]

dated June 7, 2001; and Dassault Service Bulletin F900-279, Revision 
1, dated May 15, 2002; 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directives 2001-192-034(B) R1 and 2002-261(B), both 
dated May 15, 2002.

Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2003.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31192 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P