[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39630-39633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16573]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0643; Product Identifier 2018-NM-084-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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[[Page 39631]]

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by a determination that more restrictive maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed 
AD would require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new and more restrictive maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and 
systems. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 24, 
2018.

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 Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, South 
Hackensack, NJ 07606; phone: 201-440-6700; internet: http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.

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-2018-
0643; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0643; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-084-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because 
of 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2018-0101, dated May 3, 2018 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations and certification maintenance 
instructions for Dassault Falcon 7X aeroplanes, which are approved 
by EASA, are currently defined and published in Dassault Falcon 7X 
AMM [airplane maintenance manual], Chapter 5-40. These instructions 
have been identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition [i.e., reduced structural integrity and reduced 
control of these airplanes due to the failure of system components].
    Previously, EASA issued AD 2015-0095 [which corresponds to FAA 
AD 2016-16-09, Amendment 39-18607 (81 FR 52752, August 10, 2016) 
(``AD 2016-16-09'')] to require accomplishment of the maintenance 
tasks, and implementation of the airworthiness limitations, as 
specified in Dassault Falcon 7X AMM, Chapter 5-40, at Revision 4.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Dassault issued the ALS 
[airworthiness limitations section], which introduces new and more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness 
limitations.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2015-0095, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the ALS.

    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-2018-
0643.
    This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance 
documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections) and/or Critical 
Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs). Compliance with 
these actions and/or CDCCLs is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this AD, 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.

Relationship Between Proposed AD and AD 2016-16-09

    This NPRM does not propose to supersede AD 2016-16-09. Rather, we 
have determined that a stand-alone AD is more appropriate to address 
the changes in the MCAI. This NPRM would require revising the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new 
and more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations for airplane structures and systems. Accomplishment of the 
proposed actions would then terminate all requirements of AD 2016-16-
09.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Dassault Aviation has issued Chapter 5-40-00, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 107838, Revision 5, dated September 1, 2016, of the 
Dassault Falcon 7X Maintenance Manual (MM). This service information 
introduces new and more restrictive maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and systems. 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

    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

[[Page 39632]]

of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information 
referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the 
relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new and more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations for 
airplane structures and systems.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI specifies that if there are findings from the ALS 
inspection tasks, corrective actions must be accomplished in accordance 
with Dassault Aviation maintenance documentation. However, this 
proposed AD does not include that requirement. Operators of U.S.-
registered airplanes are required by general airworthiness and 
operational regulations to perform maintenance using methods that are 
acceptable to the FAA. We consider those methods to be adequate to 
address any corrective actions necessitated by the findings of ALS 
inspections required by this proposed AD.

Airworthiness Limitations Based on Type Design

    The FAA recently became aware of an issue related to the 
applicability of ADs that require incorporation of an ALS revision into 
an operator's maintenance or inspection program.
    Typically, when these types of ADs are issued by civil aviation 
authorities of other countries, they apply to all airplanes covered 
under an identified type certificate (TC). The corresponding FAA AD 
typically retains applicability to all of those airplanes.
    In addition, U.S. operators must operate their airplanes in an 
airworthy condition, in accordance with 14 CFR 91.7(a). Included in 
this obligation is the requirement to perform any maintenance or 
inspections specified in the ALS, and in accordance with the ALS as 
specified in 14 CFR 43.16 and 91.403(c), unless an alternative has been 
approved by the FAA.
    When a type certificate is issued for a type design, the specific 
ALS, including revisions, is a part of that type design, as specified 
in 14 CFR 21.31(c).
    The sum effect of these operational and maintenance requirements is 
an obligation to comply with the ALS defined in the type design 
referenced in the manufacturer's conformity statement. This obligation 
may introduce a conflict with an AD that requires a specific ALS 
revision if new airplanes are delivered with a later revision as part 
of their type design.
    To address this conflict, the FAA has approved alternative methods 
of compliance (AMOCs) that allow operators to incorporate the most 
recent ALS revision into their maintenance/inspection programs, in lieu 
of the ALS revision required by the AD. This eliminates the conflict 
and enables the operator to comply with both the AD and the type 
design.
    However, compliance with AMOCs is normally optional, and we 
recently became aware that some operators choose to retain the AD-
mandated ALS revision in their fleet-wide maintenance/inspection 
programs, including those for new airplanes delivered with later ALS 
revisions, to help standardize the maintenance of the fleet. To ensure 
that operators comply with the applicable ALS revision for newly 
delivered airplanes containing a later revision than that specified in 
an AD, we plan to limit the applicability of ADs that mandate ALS 
revisions to those airplanes that are subject to an earlier revision of 
the ALS, either as part of the type design or as mandated by an earlier 
AD.
    This proposed AD therefore would apply to Dassault Aviation Model 
FALCON 7X airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness or 
original export certificate of airworthiness that was issued on or 
before the date of the ALS revision identified in this proposed AD. 
Operators of airplanes with an original certificate of airworthiness or 
original export certificate of airworthiness issued after that date 
must comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the 
approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 67 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:
    We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although we 
recognize that this number may vary from operator to operator. In the 
past, we have estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per 
airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program 
changes for their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a per-
operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. 
Therefore, we estimate the total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 
work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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 proposed 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 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 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.

[[Page 39633]]

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2018-0643; Product Identifier 
2018-NM-084-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 24, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2014-16-23, Amendment 39-17947 (79 FR 52545, 
September 4, 2014) (``AD 2014-16-23'') and AD 2016-16-09, Amendment 
39-18607 (81 FR 52752, August 10, 2016) (``AD 2016-16-09'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, 
certificated in any category, with an original certificate of 
airworthiness or original export certificate of airworthiness issued 
on or before September 1, 2016.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:  Model FALCON 7X airplanes 
with modifications M1000 and M1254 incorporated are commonly 
referred to as ``Model FALCON 8X'' airplanes as a marketing 
designation.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time limits/
maintenance checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural 
integrity and reduced control of airplanes due to the failure of 
system components.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revise the Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating 
the information specified in Chapter 5-40-00, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 107838, Revision 5, dated September 1, 2016, of the 
Dassault Falcon 7X Maintenance Manual (MM). The initial compliance 
times for the tasks specified in Chapter 5-40-00, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 107838, Revision 5, dated September 1, 2016, of the 
Dassault Falcon 7X MM are at the applicable compliance times 
specified in Chapter 5-40-00, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 107838, 
Revision 5, dated September 1, 2016, of the Dassault Falcon 7X MM, 
or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later.

(h) Terminating Action for Other ADs

    (1) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (q) of AD 2014-16-23.
    (2) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD terminates all requirements of AD 2016-16-09.

(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design 
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)

    After the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, has 
been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs may be used 
unless the actions, intervals, and CDCCLs 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 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 International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k)(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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0101, dated May 3, 2018, 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-2018-0643.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and 
fax: 206-231-3226.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, 
South Hackensack, NJ 07606; phone: 201-440-6700; internet: http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 
WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 206-231-3195.


    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on July 24, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16573 Filed 8-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P