[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23214-23217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09003]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-5594; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-169-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 all 
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a review that identified a nonconformity 
between the torque value applied to the screw-nuts of aileron servo 
actuators, and the torque value specified by the type design. This 
proposed AD would require replacing certain aileron servo actuators 
with serviceable servo actuators. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
desynchronization between two servo actuator barrels, which could lead 
to reduced control of the airplane during roll maneuvers at low 
altitude.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 6, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, 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://

[[Page 23215]]

www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5594; 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 425-227-1139.

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-2016-5594; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-169-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 for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0184, dated August 7, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Dassault Aviation 
Model FALCON 900EX and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A quality review of recently delivered aeroplanes identified a 
non-conformity concerning the torque value applied to screw-nuts of 
aileron servo actuators, which was inconsistent with the value 
specified by the type design.
    The subsequent investigation demonstrated that the washer which 
is bent on nut and rod ensures the affected selector synchronisation 
between two servo actuator barrels for a minimum of 2,000 flight 
hours (FH). After this period, a possible de-synchronization of the 
affected selector assembly may occur.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to reduced control 
of the aeroplane during roll manoeuvers at low altitude.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault Aviation 
issued Service Bulletin (SB) F900EX-476 Revision 1 and SB F2000EX-
350 to provide replacement instructions for the affected aileron 
servo actuators, as applicable to aeroplane type.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
replacement of affected aileron servo actuators with serviceable 
parts. This [EASA] AD also identifies that the affected aileron 
servo actuators can be re-qualified as serviceable parts only after 
a refurbishment accomplished by an approved maintenance 
organization.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
5594.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Dassault Service Bulletins F900EX-476, Revision 1, 
dated June 25, 2014; and F2000EX-350, dated April 9, 2014. This service 
information describes procedures for removing the aileron servo 
actuator. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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 these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 284 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 14 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about 
$43,460 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $12,680,600, or $44,650 per 
product.

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 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.

[[Page 23216]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2016-5594; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-169-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 6, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX and 
FALCON 2000EX airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a review that identified a nonconformity 
between the torque value applied to the screw-nuts of aileron servo 
actuators, and the torque value specified by the type design. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent desynchronization between two servo 
actuator barrels, which could lead to reduced control of the 
airplane during roll maneuvers at low altitude.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement of Aileron Servo Actuator

    At the later of the applicable time specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD: Replace each affected aileron servo 
actuator, as identified in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD (for 
Model FALCON 900EX airplanes) or figure 2 to paragraph (g) of this 
AD (for Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes), with a serviceable part in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service 
Bulletin F900EX-476, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2014; or Dassault 
Service Bulletin F2000EX-350, dated April 9, 2014; except where 
Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-476, Revision 1, dated June 25, 
2014; or F2000EX-350, dated April 9, 2014; specify to ``remove'' the 
applicable aileron servo actuator, this AD requires replacement of 
the applicable aileron servo actuator. A serviceable part is one 
that is specified in the ``New P/N'' column in the table of 
paragraph 3., ``Material Information,'' of Dassault Service Bulletin 
F900EX-476, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2014; or Dassault Service 
Bulletin F2000EX-350, dated April 9, 2014.
    (1) For airplanes on which the aileron servo actuator was not 
replaced during maintenance: At the later of the times specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Within 25 months or 1,640 flight hours, whichever occurs 
first, since the date of issuance of the original airworthiness 
certificate or date of issuance for the original export certificate 
of airworthiness.
    (ii) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which the aileron servo actuator was 
replaced during maintenance: At the later of the times specified in 
paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Within 1,640 flight hours after replacement of the aileron 
servo actuator during maintenance.
    (ii) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: The affected aileron servo 
actuators are known to be installed on the following airplanes: 
Prior to airplane delivery, on Model FALCON 900EX airplanes having 
serial number (S/N) 265 through 270 inclusive, S/N 272 and S/N 273, 
and on Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes having S/N 243, S/N 246 through 
258 inclusive, S/N 260 through 263 inclusive, S/N 702 through 710 
inclusive and S/N 714; and after airplane delivery, during a 
maintenance operation on Model FALCON 900EX airplane having S/N 177.


Figure 1 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Affected Actuators on Model FALCON
                             900EX Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  With
                                                actuator    And actuator
 Model  FALCON 900EX  airplane having  S/N--  part no.  (P/     S/N--
                                                  N)--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
177.........................................     103117-06          5003
265.........................................     103117-06          5002
266.........................................     103117-05          5000
                                                 103117-06          5007
267.........................................     103117-05          5001
268.........................................     103117-05          5004
269.........................................     103117-05          5005
                                                 103117-06          5011
270.........................................     103117-06          5012
                                                 103117-13          5017
272.........................................     103117-05          5010
                                                 103117-14          5016
273.........................................     103117-13          5014
                                                 103117-14          5020
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Figure 2 to Paragraph (g) of This AD--Affected Actuators on Model FALCON
                            2000EX Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  With
 Model FALCON 2000EX  airplane having  S/N--   actuator P/  And actuator
                                                   N--          S/N--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
243.........................................     103151-08          5002
246.........................................     103151-07          5000
                                                 103151-08          5003
247.........................................     103151-07          5001
                                                 103151-08          5006
248.........................................     103151-07          5004
                                                 103151-08          5007
249.........................................     103151-07          5005
                                                 103151-08          5012
250.........................................     103151-07          5008
                                                 103151-08          5013
251.........................................     103151-07          5009
                                                 103151-08          5014
252.........................................     103151-07          5011
                                                 103151-08          5016
253.........................................     103151-07          5010
                                                 103151-08          5015
254.........................................     103151-08          5017
                                                 103151-07          5018
255.........................................     103151-07          5019
                                                 103151-08          5022
256.........................................     103151-07          5021
                                                 103151-08          5023
257.........................................     103151-08          5024
                                                 103151-07          5026
258.........................................     103151-07          5027
                                                 103151-08          5033
260.........................................     103151-08          5032
                                                 103151-07          5035
261.........................................     103151-08          5037
                                                 103151-07          5041
262.........................................     103151-08          5039
                                                 103151-07          5047
263.........................................     103151-08          5044
                                                 103151-09          5064
702.........................................     103151-07          5029
703.........................................     103151-07          5034
                                                 103151-08          5042
704.........................................     103151-08          5036
                                                 103151-07          5040
705.........................................     103151-08          5038
                                                 103151-07          5046
706.........................................     103151-08          5043
                                                 103151-07          5048
707.........................................     103151-07          5054
                                                 103151-08          5057
708.........................................     103151-08          5045
                                                 103151-07          5050
709.........................................     103151-08          5074
710.........................................     103151-07          5051
                                                 103151-08          5053
714.........................................     103151-09          5065
                                                 103151-10          5067
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no aileron servo actuator 
having a P/N and S/N listed in figure 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD 
or figure 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD is allowed to be installed 
on any airplane, unless the mark ``D1'' is included on the actuator 
repair placard.

    Note 2 to paragraph (h) of this AD:  The mark ``D1'' on an 
aileron servo actuator repair placard indicates that the affected 
part has been refurbished by an approved maintenance organization 
and is qualified as a serviceable part.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, ANM-
116, International Branch, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 425-227-1139.

[[Page 23217]]

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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Dassault Aviation's EASA 
Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0184, dated August 7, 2014, 
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 Docket No. FAA-2016-5594.
    (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 8, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-09003 Filed 4-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P