[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59315-59318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23990]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0860; Product Identifier 2019-NM-123-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: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2019-03-14, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET 
FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2019-03-
14 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. Since AD 2019-03-14 was issued, the FAA has 
determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are 
necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is

[[Page 59316]]

proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 
19, 2019.

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 https://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; telephone 201-440-6700; internet https://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this referenced 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0860; 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 is listed above. 
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; telephone and fax 206-231-3226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites 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-2019-0860; 
Product Identifier 2019-NM-123-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. The 
FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend this proposed AD based on those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The FAA issued AD 2019-03-14, Amendment 39-19566 (84 FR 7269, March 
4, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-14''), for certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN 
JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2019-
03-14 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. AD 2019-03-14 resulted from a determination 
that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. 
The FAA issued AD 2019-03-14 to address, among other things, fatigue 
cracking and damage in principal structural elements; such fatigue 
cracking and damage could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

Actions Since AD 2019-03-14 Was Issued

    Since AD 2019-03-14 was issued, the FAA has determined that new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary.
    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2019-0142, dated June 17, 2019 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET 
FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address continued structural integrity of the airplane. See 
the MCAI for additional background information.
    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-2019-
0860.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Dassault Aviation has issued Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness 
Limitations, Revision 10, dated January 1, 2019, of the Dassault 
Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, specifically for aircraft that 
have incorporated the supplemental structural inspection program 
(SSIP). This service information describes airworthiness limitations 
for safe life limits.
    This proposed AD would also require Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DMD 44729, Revision 9, dated November 29, 2017, of the 
Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, which the Director of 
the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of 
April 8, 2019 (84 FR 7269, March 4, 2019).
    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 of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. The FAA is proposing this AD because the 
agency 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 retain all requirements of AD 2019-03-14. 
This proposed AD would also require revising the existing maintenance 
or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed 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 
(l)(1) of this proposed AD.

[[Page 59317]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 61 airplanes of 
U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2019-03-14 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    The FAA has determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the 
FAA recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. In 
the past, the FAA has estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per 
airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program 
changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-
operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate.
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed 
actions 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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2019-03-14, Amendment 39-19566 (84 FR 7269, March 4, 2019); and adding 
the following new AD:

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2019-0860; Product Identifier 
2019-NM-123-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by December 19, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    (1) This AD replaces AD 2019-03-14, Amendment 39-19566 (84 FR 
7269, March 4, 2019) (``AD 2019-03-14'').
    (2) This AD affects AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR 
79952, December 21, 2010) (``AD 2010-26-05'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN 
JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes, certificated in any 
category, on which the supplemental structural inspection program 
(SSIP) has been incorporated into the airplane's maintenance 
program.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address, among other things, fatigue cracking and 
damage in principal structural elements; such fatigue cracking and 
damage could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2019-03-14, with no changes. Within 90 days after April 8, 2019 (the 
effective date of AD 2019-03-14), revise the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information 
specified in Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, DMD 44729, 
Revision 9, dated November 29, 2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 
20 Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance time for doing the 
tasks is at the time specified in Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DMD 44729, Revision 9, dated November 29, 2017, of the 
Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, or within 90 days 
after April 8, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-03-14), whichever 
occurs later. Where the threshold column in the table in paragraph 
B, Mandatory Maintenance Operations, of Chapter 5-40-01, 
Airworthiness Limitations, DMD 44729, Revision 9, dated November 29, 
2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual 
specifies a compliance time in years, those compliance times start 
from the date of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate 
or date of issuance of the original export certificate of 
airworthiness.

(h) Retained No Alternative Actions or Intervals With a New Exception

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2019-03-14, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(i) of this AD, 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 and intervals are 
approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.

(i) New Requirement of This AD: Maintenance or Inspection Program 
Revision

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate the information specified in Chapter 5-40-01, 
Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, dated January 1, 2019, of 
the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual. The initial 
compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time specified in 
Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, dated 
January 1, 2019, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance 
Manual, or within 90 days after the effective

[[Page 59318]]

date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Where the threshold column 
in the table in paragraph B, Mandatory Maintenance Operations, of 
Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, dated 
January 1, 2019, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance 
Manual specifies a compliance time in years, those compliance times 
start from the date of issuance of the original airworthiness 
certificate or the original export certificate of airworthiness. 
Accomplishing the actions required by this paragraph terminates the 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) New No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the 
actions or intervals are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.

(k) Terminating Actions for Certain Actions in AD 2010-26-05

    Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) or (i) of 
this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of AD 2010-
26-05, for Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON 
SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes.

(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 International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (m)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to [email protected].
    (i) 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.
    (ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2019-03-14 are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: As of the effective date of 
this AD, 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 Union 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 2019-0142, dated June 17, 2019, 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-2019-0860.
    (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; telephone 
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; telephone 201-440-6700; internet https://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 October 29, 2019.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-23990 Filed 11-1-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P