[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 61 (Monday, March 30, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17487-17490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06469]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0870; Product Identifier 2019-NM-125-AD; Amendment 
39-19858; AD 2020-04-22]
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: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-19-27 
and AD 2014-16-12, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model 
FALCON 2000EX airplanes. AD 2018-19-27 and AD 2014-16-12 required 
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations. This AD retains those actions and requires revising the 
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to 
incorporate additional new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. This AD was prompted by the FAA's determination that new 
or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 4, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 4, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of 
November 13, 2018 (83 FR 50479, October 9, 2018).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 
2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; phone: 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. It is also available on the 
internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2019-0870.

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-
0870; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations is 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, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 17488]]

Discussion

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2019-0154, dated July 3, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-0154'') (also 
referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all Dassault Aviation 
Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0870.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2018-19-27, Amendment 39-19428 (83 FR 
50479, October 9, 2018) (``AD 2018-19-27''). AD 2018-19-27 applied to 
certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. AD 2018-19-27 
required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. AD 2018-19-27 resulted from a determination 
that new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations were necessary. AD 2018-19-27 specified that accomplishing 
the actions required by paragraph (g) of that AD terminated the 
requirements of AD 2014-16-12, Amendment 39-17936 (79 FR 52187, 
September 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-16-12''), but it did not supersede AD 
2014-16-12. In addition, AD 2018-19-27 specified that accomplishing 
paragraph (g) of that AD terminated the requirements of paragraph 
(g)(1) of AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR 79952, December 21, 
2010) (``AD 2010-26-05''), for Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX 
airplanes. This terminating provision of certain requirements of AD 
2010-26-05 is included in this AD. This AD supersedes AD 2018-19-27 and 
AD 2014-16-12, but does not supersede AD 2010-26-05.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2019 (84 
FR 63827). The NPRM was prompted by the FAA's determination that new or 
more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The NPRM 
proposed to retain the actions required by AD 2018-19-27. The NPRM also 
proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to incorporate additional new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address reduced structural integrity of the airplane. See the MCAI for 
additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, 
except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these 
minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Dassault has issued Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 
113877, Revision 12, dated November 2018, of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX 
Maintenance Manual. This service information describes instructions 
applicable to airworthiness and safe life limitations.
    This AD also requires Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 
113877, Revision 11, dated November 2017, of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX 
Maintenance Manual, which the Director of the Federal Register approved 
for incorporation by reference as of November 13, 2018 (83 FR 50479, 
October 9, 2018).
    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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 173 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2018-19-27 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
    The FAA has determined that the new revision of the existing 
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. Therefore, the FAA estimates the total 
cost per operator for the new revision 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.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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) 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.

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:


[[Page 17489]]


    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-19-27, Amendment 39-19428 
(83 FR 50479, October 9, 2018); and AD 2014-16-12, Amendment 39-17936 
(79 FR 52187, September 3, 2014); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2020-04-22 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-19858; Docket No. FAA-
2019-0870; Product Identifier 2019-NM-125-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 4, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    (1) This AD replaces AD 2018-19-27, Amendment 39-19428 (83 FR 
50479, October 9, 2018) (``AD 2018-19-27''); and AD 2014-16-12, 
Amendment 39-17936 (79 FR 52187, September 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-16-
12'').
    (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 FALCON 2000EX 
airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original 
airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before January 15, 2019.

(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 reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program, With No 
Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2018-19-27, with no changes. Within 90 days after November 13, 2018 
(the effective date of AD 2018-19-27), revise the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, 
DGT 113877, Revision 11, dated November 2017, of the Dassault Falcon 
2000EX Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance times for doing 
the tasks are at the time specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 11, dated November 2017, of the 
Dassault Falcon 2000EX Maintenance Manual, or within 90 days after 
November 13, 2018, whichever occurs later; except for task number 
52-20-00-610-801-01, the initial compliance time is within 24 months 
after October 8, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2014-16-12). The 
term ``LDG'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any table in 
Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 11, 
dated November 2017, means total airplane landings. The term ``FH'' 
in the ``First Inspection'' column of any table in Chapter 5-40, 
Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 11, dated November 
2017, means total flight hours. The term ``FC'' in the ``First 
Inspection'' column of any table in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 11, dated November 2017, means 
total flight cycles.

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

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2018-19-27, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph 
(i) of this AD, after the existing maintenance or inspection program 
has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no 
alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used 
unless the actions or 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 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, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 12, dated November 2018, of the 
Dassault Falcon 2000EX Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance 
times for doing the tasks are at the time specified in Chapter 5-40, 
Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 12, dated November 
2018, of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX Maintenance Manual, or within 90 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; 
except for task number 52-20-00-610-801-01, the initial compliance 
time is within 24 months after October 8, 2014 (the effective date 
of AD 2014-16-12). The term ``LDG'' in the ``First Inspection'' 
column of any table in the service information specified in this 
paragraph means total airplane landings. The term ``FH'' in the 
``First Inspection'' column of any table in the service information 
specified in this paragraph means total flight hours. The term 
``FC'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any table in the 
service information specified in this paragraph means total flight 
cycles. Doing the revision required by this paragraph terminates the 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) New Provision: 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 Action 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 FALCON 2000EX airplanes.

(l) Other FAA AD Provisions

    (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 2018-19-27 are not 
approved as AMOCs for this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions 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 2019-0154, dated July 3, 2019 (``EASA AD 2019-
0154''), for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0870.
    (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.

(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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
May 4, 2020.
    (i) Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, 
Revision 12, dated November 2018, of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX 
Maintenance Manual.
    (ii) [Reserved]

[[Page 17490]]

    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
November 13, 2018 (83 FR 50479, October 9, 2018).
    (i) Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, 
Revision 11, dated November 2017, of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX 
Maintenance Manual.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) 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: https://www.dassaultfalcon.com.
    (6) 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.
    (7) 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, email [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on March 1, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-06469 Filed 3-27-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P