Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900 and Falcon 900EX Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 19, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32896-32897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14724]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-291-AD; Amendment 39-12264; AD 2001-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900 and 
Falcon 900EX Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900 and Falcon 
900EX series airplanes, that requires replacement of the protective 
screens of the underfloor structure boxes at frame 25. This amendment 
is necessary to prevent water from collecting and freezing in the 
structure boxes at frame 25, which could result in jamming of the 
flight controls and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 24, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 24, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New 
Jersey 07606. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dassault Model Mystere-
Falcon 900 and Falcon 900EX series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on October 30, 2000 (65 FR 64636). That action 
proposed to require replacement of the protective screens of the 
underfloor structure boxes at frame 25.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

Request To Revise Service Information

    The manufacturer has advised the FAA that, since the issuance of 
the proposed rule, it has issued Dassault Service Bulletin F900-232, 
Revision 1, dated November 12, 1999 (for Model Mystere-Falcon 900 
series airplanes); and Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-93, Revision 1, 
dated November 12, 1999 (for Model Falcon 900EX series airplanes); and 
requests that the final rule be revised to require accomplishment of 
the actions in accordance with these new revisions of the service 
bulletins. The FAA agrees with the manufacturer's request. We have 
reviewed and approved Revision 1 of these service bulletins, and find 
that they are essentially identical to the original versions (which 
were cited as the appropriate sources of service information for 
accomplishment of the actions in the proposed rule). The final rule has 
been revised to require accomplishment of the actions in accordance 
with either the original issue or Revision 1 of the applicable service 
bulletin.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described 
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 127 Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900 and 
Falcon 900EX series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $128 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $54,356, or $428 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact

[[Page 32897]]

figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-12-09  Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-12264. Docket 2000-NM-
291-AD.

    Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes having 
serial numbers 1 through 177 inclusive; and Model Falcon 900EX 
series airplanes having serial numbers 1 through 41 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent water from collecting and freezing in the structure 
boxes at frame 25, which could result in jamming of the flight 
controls and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

Screen Replacement

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove 
the existing protective screens that are riveted to the center beam 
and are also bonded to the frame and to the bottom of the underfloor 
structure boxes at frame 25, and install new wider-mesh screens that 
are riveted to the center beam and bonded to the frame only. 
Accomplish the actions in accordance with Dassault Falcon 900 
Service Bulletin 0232, dated March 1999, or Dassault Service 
Bulletin F900-232, Revision 1, dated November 12, 1999 (for Model 
Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes); or Dassault Falcon 900EX 
Service Bulletin 0093, dated March 1999, or Dassault Service 
Bulletin F900EX-93, Revision 1, dated November 12, 1999 (for Model 
Falcon 900EX series airplanes); as applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Dassault Falcon 
900 Service Bulletin 0232, dated March 1999; Dassault Service 
Bulletin F900-232, Revision 1, dated November 12, 1999; Dassault 
Falcon 900EX Service Bulletin 0093, dated March 1999; or Dassault 
Service Bulletin F900EX-93, Revision 1, dated November 12, 1999; as 
applicable. This incorporation by reference was approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet, 
P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 1999-446-028(B), dated November 3, 1999.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 24, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 6, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-14724 Filed 6-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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