[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1547-1549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-425]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dassault Model Mystere-
Falcon 50 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
inspection for improper installation of the electrical wiring for the 
optional lighting in the cabin, and corrective actions if necessary. 
This action is necessary to prevent overheating of optional lighting 
wiring that was improperly installed in the cabin, and consequent 
smoke/fire in the cabin. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 9, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-204-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

[[Page 1548]]

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. 2002-
NM-204-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 or 2000 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 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:

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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-204-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. 2002-NM-204-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 Mystere-Falcon 
50 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that due to incorrect routing, 
wiring for the optional lighting in the cabin may be directly connected 
to the direct power supply line of the battery bus instead of through a 
dedicated circuit breaker. In this configuration, an electrical current 
is generated even after the starter generators and batteries are 
switched off. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
overheating of electrical wiring and consequent smoke/fire in the 
cabin.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F50-138, Revision 1, dated 
June 12, 2002, which describes procedures for inspecting the wiring 
installation for the optional lighting in the cabin, measuring the 
electrical current at a certain circuit breaker, and performing 
corrective actions if necessary. The corrective actions include 
installing circuit breakers, modifying the existing wiring 
installation, doing a detailed inspection of any modified wiring 
installation to ensure it matches the wiring diagram, and testing the 
modified wiring installation. 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 2002-086-036(B) 
R1, dated March 20, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in France.

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 airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept us informed of the 
situation described above. We have 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 AD

    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 service bulletin described previously, 
except as discussed below.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 175 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected 
by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed inspection at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection is 
estimated to be $22,750, or $130 per airplane.
    Should an operator have to modify the optional lighting wiring, it 
would take approximately 60 work hours at an average labor rate of $65 
per work hour. Required parts would be provided by the manufacturer at 
no charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $682,500, or $3,900 
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.

[[Page 1549]]

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 2002-NM-204-AD.

    Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes having 
serial numbers 2 to 270 inclusive, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overheating of optional lighting wiring that was 
improperly installed in the cabin, and consequent smoke/fire in the 
cabin, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 13 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection (including measurement of electrical current) of 
the electrical wiring installation for optional lighting in the 
cabin to determine if any wiring is directly connected to the 
battery bus. Do all of the applicable actions per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F50-318, Revision 1, dated 
June 12, 2002.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''

Corrective Actions

    (b) If any electrical wiring is found to be directly connected 
to the battery bus during the inspection required by paragraph (a) 
of this AD, before further flight, do all the applicable corrective 
actions (e.g., modifying the existing wiring, doing a detailed 
inspection of any modified wiring installation to ensure it matches 
the wiring diagram, and testing the modified wiring installation) 
per the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin 
F50-318, Revision 1, dated June 12, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-086-036(B) R1, dated March 20, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 31, 2003.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-425 Filed 1-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P