[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10139-10140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3403]



[[Page 10139]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28941; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-276-AD; 
Amendment 39-15386; AD 2008-04-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000, Falcon 
2000EX, Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-
Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 20, Mystere-Falcon 200, and Falcon 10 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies 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. That AD 
currently requires repetitive tests and inspections to detect 
discrepancies of the overwing emergency exit, and corrective action if 
necessary. This new AD expands the applicability of the existing AD and 
extends the repetitive test and inspection intervals for all airplanes. 
This AD results from reports of incorrect operation of the overwing 
emergency exit due to interference between the emergency exit and the 
interior accommodation. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the overwing emergency exits to open, and consequent injury to 
passengers or crewmembers during an emergency evacuation.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 1, 2008.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2000-12-15, amendment 
39-11793 (65 FR 37480, June 15, 2000). The existing AD applies 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. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on August 16, 2007 (72 FR 45958). That NPRM proposed to 
continue to require repetitive tests and inspections to detect 
discrepancies of the overwing emergency exit, and corrective action if 
necessary. That NPRM also proposed to expand the applicability of the 
existing AD and extend the repetitive test and inspection intervals for 
all airplanes.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Change to the Final Rule

    We have changed paragraph (f) of this final rule to specify that 
the actions required in that paragraph must be done in accordance with 
a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety 
Agency (or its delegated agent). In addition, we have specified Chapter 
5 of the applicable airplane maintenance manuals as one approved method 
of compliance for doing the actions required by that paragraph.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 870 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The actions that are required by AD 2000-12-15 and retained in this 
AD take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
currently required actions is $80 per airplane, per test and inspection 
cycle.
    The new required actions take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the new actions required by this AD for U.S. 
operators is $69,600, or $80 per airplane, per test and inspection 
cycle.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with

[[Page 10140]]

this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a 
location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing amendment 39-11793 (65 FR 37480, June 15, 2000) and by adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2008-04-14 Dassault Aviation (Formerly Avions Marcel Dassault-
Breguet Aviation (AMD/BA)): Amendment 39-15386. Docket No. FAA-2007-
28941; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-276-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective April 1, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2000-12-15.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Dassault Model Falcon 2000, Falcon 
2000EX, Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 900EX, Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-
Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 20, Mystere-Falcon 200, and Falcon 10 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of incorrect operation of the 
overwing emergency exit due to interference between the emergency 
exit and the interior accommodation. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the overwing emergency exits to open, and 
consequent injury to passengers or crewmembers during an emergency 
evacuation.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2000-12-15 With Revised Repetitive 
Interval

Operational Test and Inspection

    (f) For Dassault Model Falcon 2000, Mystere-Falcon 900, Falcon 
900EX, Fan Jet Falcon, Mystere-Falcon 50, Mystere-Falcon 20, 
Mystere-Falcon 200, and Falcon 10 airplanes: Within 30 days after 
July 20, 2000 (the effective date of AD 2000-12-15), perform an 
operational test and detailed inspection of the overwing emergency 
exit from inside the cabin to detect discrepancies (including 
separation, tearing, wearing, 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 a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent). If 
any discrepancy is detected during any test or inspection required 
by this paragraph, prior to further flight, repair in accordance 
with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch; or EASA 
(or its delegated agent). Chapter 5 (ATA Code 52) of the applicable 
AMM is one approved method for the actions required by this 
paragraph. Repeat the operational test and inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 24 months.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

New Requirements of This AD

Operational Test and Inspection

    (g) For Dassault Model Falcon 2000EX airplanes: Within 30 days 
after the effective date of this AD, perform the operational test 
and detailed inspection of the overwing emergency exit required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD. If any discrepancy is detected during any 
test or inspection required by this paragraph, prior to further 
flight, repair as required by paragraph (f). Repeat the operational 
test and inspection at intervals not to exceed 24 months.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, International Branch, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Special Flight Permits

    (i) 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.

Related Information

    (j) EASA airworthiness directives 2006-0147, 2006-0148, 2006-
0149, and 2006-0156, all dated June 7, 2006, also address the 
subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 13, 2008.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Assistant Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-3403 Filed 2-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P