Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 13 (Thursday, January 21, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3320-3323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00629]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2967; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-072-AD; 
Amendment 39-18376; AD 2016-01-16]
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: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-23-20, 
for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX and MYSTERE-FALCON 900 
airplanes. AD 2002-23-20 required repetitive operational tests of the 
flap asymmetry detection system to verify proper functioning, and 
repair if necessary; repetitive replacement of the inboard flap 
jackscrews with new or reconditioned jackscrews; and repetitive 
measurement of the screw/nut play of the jackscrews on the inboard and 
outboard flaps to detect discrepancies, and corrective action if 
necessary. AD 2002-23-20 also required a revision of the airplane 
flight manual. Since we issued AD 2002-23-20, the maintenance manual 
has been revised. This AD requires revising the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to include the maintenance tasks and 
airworthiness limitations

[[Page 3321]]

specified in the Airworthiness Limitations section of the airplane 
maintenance manual. This AD also removes the Model FALCON 900EX 
airplanes from the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 25, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 25, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;015-2967; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    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 http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.It is also available on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2015-2967.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2002-23-20, Amendment 39-12964 (67 FR 71098, 
November 29, 2002); corrected May 4, 2010 (75 FR 23579). AD 2002-23-20 
applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX and MYSTERE-
FALCON 900 airplanes.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2015 (80 FR 
45902). The NPRM was prompted by a revision to the maintenance manual. 
The NPRM proposed to require revising the maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to include the maintenance tasks and 
airworthiness limitations specified in the Airworthiness Limitations 
section of the airplane maintenance manual. The NPRM also proposed to 
remove the Model FALCON 900EX airplanes from the applicability of the 
existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural 
integrity of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2013-0053, dated March 4, 2013 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for all MYSTERE-FALCON 
900 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations and maintenance requirements for 
the Myst[egrave]re -Falcon 900 type design are included in Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) chapter 5-40 and are approved by the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). EASA issued AD 2008-0221 
[http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2008_0221_Corrected.pdf/AD_2008-0221_1] to require accomplishment of the maintenance tasks, 
and implementation of the airworthiness limitations, as specified in 
Dassault Aviation F900 AMM chapter 5-40 referenced DGT 113873 at 
revision 16.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Dassault Aviation issued 
revision 20 of F900 AMM chapter 5-40 which contains new or more 
restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness 
limitations and introduces, among others, the following changes:

--Tasks renumbering;
--Introduction of a Corrosion Prevention Control Program (CPCP);
--Upgrade of screwjack of flap actuators from the older to the 
latest -3 version;
--Revised Time Between Overhaul for screwjack of flap actuators -3 
version;
--Revised interval for checking the screw/nut play on screwjack of 
flap actuators -3 version;
--Removal of calendar limit for checking the screw/nut play on 
screwjack of external flap actuators -1 and -2 versions;
--Removal of service life limit for screwjack of flap actuators;
--Test of flap asymmetry protection system. Compliance with this 
test is required by [a certain AD] * * *, but F900 AMM chapter 5-40 
at revision 20 introduces an extended inspection interval;
--Inspection procedures of fuselage and wings;
--Check of overpressure tightness on pressurization control 
regulating valves. Compliance with this check is required by EASA AD 
2008-0072 [http://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/easa_ad_2008_0072.pdf/AD_2008-0072_1] [which corresponds to FAA AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 
39-16544 (75 FR 79952, December 21, 2010], but F900 AMM chapter 5-40 
at revision 20 introduces an extended inspection interval;
--Check of overpressure relief valve vacuum supply lines.

    The maintenance tasks and airworthiness limitations, as 
specified in the F900 AMM chapter 5-40, have been identified as 
mandatory actions for continued airworthiness of the F900 type 
design. Failure to comply with AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 20 may 
result in an unsafe condition [reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane].
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires the 
implementation of the maintenance tasks and airworthiness 
limitations, as specified in the Dassault Aviation F900 AMM chapter 
5-40 DGT 113873 at revision 20.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-2967-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 45902, August 3, 
2015) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed, except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 45902, August 3, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 45902, August 3, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Dassault Aviation issued Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, 
Revision 20, dated October 2012, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 900 
Maintenance Manual. This service information describes procedures, 
maintenance tasks, and airworthiness limitations specified in the 
Airworthiness Limitations section of the AMM. 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

    We estimate that this AD affects 112 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with 
the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $9,520, or $85 per product.

[[Page 3322]]

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.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2015-2967; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.

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:

    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) 
2002-23-20, Amendment 39-12964 (67 FR 71098, November 29, 2002); 
corrected May 4, 2010 (75 FR 23579); and adding the following new AD:

2016-01-16 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-18376. Docket No. FAA-
2015-2967; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-072-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective February 25, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2002-23-20, Amendment 39-12964 (67 FR 71098, 
November 29, 2002); corrected May 4, 2010 (75 FR 23579). This AD 
also affects AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR 79952, 
December 21, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all DASSAULT AVIATION Model MYSTERE-FALCON 
900 airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by our determination of the need for a 
revision to the airplane airworthiness limitations to introduce a 
corrosion prevention control program, among other changes, to the 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, 
Revision 20, dated October 2012, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 900 
Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance time for accomplishing 
the actions specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, 
Revision 20, dated October 2012, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 900 
Maintenance Manual, is within the applicable times specified in the 
maintenance manual or within 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs later, except as provided by paragraphs 
(g)(1) through (g)(4) of this AD.
    (1) The term ``LDG'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any 
table in the service information means total airplane landings.
    (2) The term ``FH'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any 
table in the service information means total flight hours.
    (3) The term ``FC'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any 
table in the service information means total flight cycles.
    (4) The term ``M'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any 
table in the service information means months.

(h) Terminating Action

    Accomplishing paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the 
requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-
16544 (75 FR 79952, December 21, 2010), for DASSAULT AVIATION Model 
MYSTERE-FALCON 900 airplanes.

(i) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    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 or intervals 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 Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom 
Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1149. 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. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (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 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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.

[[Page 3323]]

(k) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
EASA Airworthiness Directive 2013-0053, dated March 4, 2013, 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-2015-2967.

(l) 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.
    (i) Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 20, dated 
October 2012, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 900 Maintenance 
Manual.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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 http://www.dassaultfalcon.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.
    (5) 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 6, 2016.
Victor Wicklund,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-00629 Filed 1-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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