[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42810-42812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18148]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0760; Product Identifier 2018-NM-095-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 MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, 
and FALCON 900EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of 
cracked reinforcing straps (doublers) on the ailerons of airplanes 
equipped with blended winglets. This proposed AD would require 
repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of the upper and lower 
reinforcing straps on the ailerons, and replacement if necessary. We 
are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 9, 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 Aviation 
Partners, Inc., 7299 Perimeter Road South, Seattle, WA 98108-3812; 
phone: 206-762-1171; email: [email protected]; internet: http://www.aviationpartners.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-
0760; 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: Michael Bumbaugh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3522; email: 
[email protected].

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-2018-0760; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-095-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

    We have received a report indicating that cracked reinforcing 
straps (doublers) were found on the ailerons of Dassault Aviation 
airplanes equipped with blended winglets installed in accordance with 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST02188SE or STC ST02241SE. This 
condition is the result of hydrogen embrittlement in the reinforcing 
strap manufacturing process. If not addressed, this condition could 
lead to fatigue cracking of the ailerons and subsequent loss of control 
of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-
17-001, Revision B, dated December 20, 2017. This service information 
describes procedures for detailed inspections for any signs of cracking 
of the external upper and lower reinforcing straps on the left-hand 
(LH) and right-hand (RH) ailerons.
    We also reviewed Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin 
SBF9-17-002, Revision A, dated December 20, 2017. This service 
information describes procedures for replacing the external upper and 
lower reinforcing straps on the LH and RH ailerons.
    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

    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 in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously, except as discussed 
under ``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the Service 
Information.''

[[Page 42811]]

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, 
Revision A, dated December 20, 2017, specifies salvaging and returning 
a damaged strap to Aviation Partners, Inc. However, this proposed AD 
does not include that requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 70 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
            Action                  Labor cost          Parts cost      Cost per product          operators
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Repetitive inspections.......  1 work-hour x $85                 $0   $85 per inspection    $5,950 per
                                per hour = $85 per                     cycle.                inspection cycle
                                inspection cycle.
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                                      Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (4 doublers)..................  32 work-hours x $85 per hour =              $4,540           $7,260
                                             $2,720.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need 
these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (per doubler).................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $680          $1,135           $1,815
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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 and associated appliances 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.

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-2018-0760; Product Identifier 
2018-NM-095-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by October 9, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, 
MYSTERE-FALCON 900, and FALCON 900EX airplanes equipped with blended 
winglets installed in accordance with the Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this 
AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50 airplanes: STC ST02241SE.

[[Page 42812]]

    (2) For Model MYSTERE-FALCON 900 and FALCON 900EX airplanes: STC 
ST02188SE.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Ailerons.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracked reinforcing straps 
(doublers) on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) ailerons of 
airplanes equipped with blended winglets. We are issuing this AD to 
address cracking of aileron reinforcing straps, which could lead to 
fatigue cracking of the ailerons and subsequent loss of control of 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Action

    Within 8 months or 400 flight hours (FH), whichever occurs 
first, after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 8 months or 400 FH, whichever occurs first: 
Do a detailed inspection for cracking of the upper and lower 
reinforcing straps of the LH and RH ailerons, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon 
Service Bulletin SBF9-17-001, Revision B, dated December 20, 2017. 
If any cracked aileron reinforcing strap is found, before further 
flight: Replace the reinforcing strap with a new part, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners, Inc., 
Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, Revision A, dated December 20, 
2017.

(h) Terminating Action

    Replacement of any aileron reinforcing strap with a new part, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation 
Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, Revision A, 
dated December 20, 2017, constitutes terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that 
part only.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the inspections specified 
in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon 
Service Bulletin SBF9-17-001, dated March 3, 2017; or Aviation 
Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-001, Revision A, 
dated April 4, 2017.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the replacement specified 
in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Aviation 
Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, dated March 7, 
2017.

(j) No Reporting Requirement and no Parts Return

    (1) Although Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin 
SBF9-17-001, Revision B, dated December 20, 2017; and Aviation 
Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, Revision A, 
dated December 20, 2017; specify to submit certain information to 
the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
    (2) Although Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin 
SBF9-17-002, Revision A, dated December 20, 2017, specifies 
salvaging and returning a damaged strap to Aviation Partners, Inc., 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO 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 
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be 
emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael 
Bumbaugh, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 
206-231-3522; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aviation Partners, Inc., 7299 Perimeter Road South, Seattle, WA 
98108-3812; phone: 206-762-1171; email: [email protected]; 
internet: http://www.aviationpartners.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 August 16, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-18148 Filed 8-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P