[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 241 (Monday, December 18, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59957-59960]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26841]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0513; Product Identifier 2016-NM-152-AD; Amendment 
39-19125; AD 2017-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by a quality review of delivered airplanes, which identified a 
manufacturing deficiency of some engine air inlet anti-ice ``piccolo'' 
tubes. This AD requires inspecting each anti-ice ``piccolo'' tube 
assembly of certain engine air inlets for discrepancies, and doing 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 22, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 22, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is 
also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0513.

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-2017-
0513; 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 street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-
1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Dassault Aviation Model 
FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
May 31, 2017 (82 FR 24900) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by a 
quality review of delivered airplanes, which identified a manufacturing 
deficiency of some engine air inlet anti-ice ``piccolo'' tubes. The 
NPRM proposed to require inspecting each anti-ice ``piccolo'' tube 
assembly of certain engine air inlets for discrepancies, and doing 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct discrepancies of each anti-ice ``piccolo'' tube assembly of 
certain engine air inlets; this condition could result in reduced 
performance of the engine anti-ice protection system, leading to ice 
accretion and ingestion into the engines, and possibly resulting in 
dual engine power loss and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2016-0168, dated August 17, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Dassault Aviation 
Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A quality review of recently delivered aeroplanes identified a 
manufacturing deficiency of some engine air inlet anti-ice 
``piccolo'' tubes.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
reduced performance of the engine anti-ice protection system, with 
consequent ice accretion and ingestion, possibly resulting in dual 
engine power loss and reduced control of an aeroplane.
    The subsequent investigation demonstrated that, for engines 
equipped with an air inlet affected by the manufacturing deficiency, 
operating an engine at or above the minimum N1 value applicable for 
combined wing and engine anti-ice operations provides efficient

[[Page 59958]]

engine anti-ice performance during stand-alone engine anti-ice 
operation.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued EASA AD 
2015-0101-E (later revised) to require amendment of the applicable 
Aeroplane Flight Manual (AFM) for aeroplanes having engine air 
inlets Part Number (P/N) 06ND71600-1 not marked NORDAM Rework Kit 
(or ``NRK'') on the associated data plate.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Dassault Aviation published 
Service Bulletin (SB) F2000EX-384 (later revised), providing 
instructions for a one-time inspection and applicable corrective 
actions, to recover the full operational capability of the 
aeroplanes equipped with affected parts.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD supersedes EASA 
AD 2015-0102R1, retaining its requirements, [and] additionally 
requires a one-time inspection of each affected anti-ice ``piccolo'' 
tube assembly and, depending on findings, accomplishment of the 
applicable corrective actions. This [EASA] AD also prohibits 
installation of an affected part on an aeroplane.

    The required actions include a detailed inspection and borescope 
inspection for discrepancies, which include determining if the opening 
diameter of the anti-ice tube assembly is incorrect or the perforation 
holes are blocked by residue. The corrective actions include repair or 
rework, if necessary. 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-2017-0513.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM and 
the FAA's response.

Request To Provide Credit for Accomplishing Previous Actions

    NetJets Aviation asked that we add Dassault Falcon 2000EX Service 
Bulletin F2000EX-384, dated January 27, 2016, as a method of compliance 
for accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (g) of the 
proposed AD. NetJets Aviation stated that those actions are done as 
specified in Dassault Falcon 2000EX Service Bulletin F2000EX-384, 
Revision 1, dated March 1, 2016, which specifies that it does not apply 
to airplanes on which the actions in Dassault Falcon 2000EX Service 
Bulletin F2000EX-384, dated January 27, 2016, have been done.
    We agree with the commenter's request for the reason provided. We 
have added paragraph (i) to this AD (and redesignated subsequent 
paragraphs accordingly) to provide credit for the actions performed 
before the effective date of this AD using Dassault Falcon 2000EX 
Service Bulletin F2000EX-384, dated January 27, 2016.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the change described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Dassault Falcon 2000EX Service Bulletin F2000EX-384, 
Revision 1, dated March 1, 2016. This service information describes 
procedures for inspecting each anti-ice ``piccolo'' tube assembly of 
each engine air inlet for discrepancies, and corrective actions. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 181 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                         Labor cost             Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................  5 work-hours x $85 per hour               $0            $425         $76,925
                                     = $425.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary rework required 
based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining 
the number of aircraft that might need these corrective actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rework anti-ice tube assembly..............  2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.          $1,711          $1,881
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has

[[Page 59959]]

delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category 
airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

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

2017-25-11 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-19125; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0513; Product Identifier 2016-NM-152-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 22, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2015-13-08, Amendment 39-18195 (80 FR 37150, 
June 30, 2015) (``AD 2015-13-08'').

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 30, Ice and Rain 
Protection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a quality review of certain delivered 
airplanes, which identified a manufacturing deficiency of certain 
engine air inlet anti-ice ``piccolo'' tubes. We are issuing this AD 
to detect and correct discrepancies of each anti-ice ``piccolo'' 
tube assembly of certain engine air inlets; this condition could 
result in reduced performance of the engine anti-ice protection 
system, leading to ice accretion and ingestion into the engines, and 
possibly resulting in dual engine power loss and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    For airplanes other than those on which an engine air inlet 
having part number (P/N) 06ND71600-1, with a marking ``NTR-RKFAL97'' 
``NTR-RKFAL98,'' ``F2000EX-384,'' or ``F2000EX-384-R1'' on the air 
inlet data plate has been incorporated on both engines: Within 1,300 
flight hours or 26 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first; inspect each anti-ice ``piccolo'' tube 
assembly of each engine air inlet for discrepancies (i.e., an 
incorrect opening diameter of the anti-ice tube assembly or 
perforation holes blocked by residue), and do all applicable 
corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dassault Falcon 2000EX Service Bulletin F2000EX-384, 
Revision 1, dated March 1, 2016; except as required by paragraph (h) 
of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions before further 
flight.

(h) Service Information Exception

    Where Dassault Falcon 2000EX Service Bulletin F2000EX-384, 
Revision 1, dated March 1, 2016, specifies to contact Dassault for 
appropriate action: Before further flight, accomplish corrective 
actions in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(l)(2) of this AD.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using Dassault Falcon 2000EX Service Bulletin 
F2000EX-384, dated January 27, 2016.

(j) Terminating Action

    Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD terminates all requirements of AD 2015-13-08 for that airplane.

(k) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, installation of an engine 
air inlet having part number (P/N) 06ND71600-1 on any airplane is 
allowed, provided the engine air inlet data plate shows the marking 
``NTR-RKFAL97,'' ``NTR-RKFAL98,'' ``F2000EX-384,'' or ``F2000EX-384-
R1.''

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. 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.
    (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 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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.

(m) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2016-0168, dated August 17, 2016, 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-2017-0513.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 
425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1149.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD.

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Dassault Falcon 2000EX Service Bulletin F2000EX-384, 
Revision 1, dated March 1, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For

[[Page 59960]]

information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 4, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26841 Filed 12-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P