[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25033-25035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10059]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0258; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-065-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain DASSAULT AVIATION Model FALCON 900EX airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by our determination to introduce a corrosion 
prevention control program, among other changes, to the maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would 
require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to include the maintenance tasks and airworthiness limitations 
specified in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the airplane 
maintenance manual. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced 
structural integrity and reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 16, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; 
telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0258; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0258; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-065-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent

[[Page 25034]]

for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0051, dated March 4, 2013 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations and maintenance requirements for 
the Falcon 900EX type design are included in Dassault Aviation 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) chapter 5-40 and are approved by 
the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
    EASA issued AD 2008-0221 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2008_0221_Corrected.pdf/AD_2008-0221_1] to require 
accomplishment of the maintenance tasks, and implementation of the 
airworthiness limitations, as specified in Dassault Aviation F900EX 
AMM chapter 5-40 referenced DGT 113874 at revision 8.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Dassault Aviation issued 
revision 12 of F900EX AMM chapter 5-40 which contains new or more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness 
limitations and introduces, among others, the following changes:

--Tasks renumbering,
--Introduction of a Corrosion Prevention Control Program (CPCP),
--Upgrade of screwjack of flap actuators from the older to the 
latest -3 version;
--Revised Time Between Overhaul for screwjack of flap actuators -3 
version;
--Revised interval for checking the screw/nut play on screwjack of 
flap actuators -3 version;
--Removal of service life limit for screwjack of flap actuators;
--Test of flap asymmetry protection system. Compliance with this 
test is required by [a certain French AD * * *, which corresponds to 
FAA AD 2002-23-20, Amendment 39-12964 (67 FR 71098, November 29, 
2002)], but F900EX AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 12 introduces an 
extended inspection interval;
--Inspection procedures of fuselage and wings;
--Check of overpressure tightness on pressurization control 
regulating valves. Compliance with this check is required by EASA AD 
2008-0072 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2008_0072.pdf/AD_2008-0072_1, which corresponds to FAA AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 
39-16544 (75 FR 79952, December 21, 2010)], but F900EX AMM chapter 
5-40 at revision 12 introduces an extended inspection interval;
--Check of overpressure relief valve vacuum supply lines. The 
maintenance tasks and airworthiness limitations, as specified in the 
F900EX AMM chapter 5-40, have been identified as mandatory actions 
for continued airworthiness of the F900EX type design. Failure to 
comply with AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 12 may result in an unsafe 
condition [e.g., reduced structural integrity and reduced 
controllability of the airplane].

    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
implementation of the maintenance tasks and airworthiness 
limitations, as specified in the Dassault Aviation F900EX AMM 
chapter 5-40 DGT 113874 at revision 12.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0258.

Relevant Service Information

    Dassault Aviation has issued Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 113874, Revision 12, dated September 2012, of the 
Falcon 900EX Maintenance Manual. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.
    This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance 
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that 
have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas 
addressed by these actions, the operator may not be able to accomplish 
the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply 
with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (j)(1) of this 
AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required 
inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the 
airplane.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 72 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance Program Revision.............  1 work-hour x $85 per hour            $0          $85          $6,120
                                            = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities

[[Page 25035]]

under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2014-0258; Directorate Identifier 
2013-NM-065-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 16, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2002-23-20, Amendment 39-12964 (67 FR 71098, 
November 29, 2002), and AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR 
79952, December 21, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial number 1 through 96 
inclusive, and serial number 98 through 119 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by our determination to introduce a 
corrosion prevention control program, among other changes, to the 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity and reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Revision of Maintenance Program

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, 
DGT 113874, Revision 12, dated September 2012, of the Falcon 900EX 
Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance time for accomplishing 
the actions specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, 
DGT 113874, Revision 12, dated September 2012, of the Falcon 900EX 
Maintenance Manual, is within the applicable times specified in that 
maintenance manual, or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, except as provided by paragraphs (g)(1) 
through (g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) The term ``LDG'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any 
table in the service information means total airplane landings.
    (2) The term ``FH'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any 
table in the service information means total flight hours.
    (3) The term ``FC'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any 
table in the service information means total flight cycles.
    (4) The term ``M'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any 
table in the service information means months.

(h) Terminating Action

    Accomplishing paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the 
requirements of AD 2002-23-20, Amendment 39-12964 (67 FR 71098, 
November 29, 2002); and paragraph (g)(1) of AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 
39-16544 (75 FR 79952, December 21, 2010); for Dassault Aviation 
Model FALCON 900EX airplanes, serial number 1 to 96 inclusive, and 
serial number 98 to 119 inclusive.

(i) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may 
be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International 
Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-
1137; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer, use these actions if they 
are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if 
they were approved by the State of Design Authority (or its 
delegated agent, or the DAH with a State of Design Authority's 
design organization approval). You are required to ensure the 
product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0051, dated March 4, 2013, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0258.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; 
telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You 
may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 25, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-10059 Filed 5-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P