Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10457-10460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03694]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3144; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-110-AD; 
Amendment 39-18403; AD 2016-04-09]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by a report of significant fuel leakage at the middle 
position of the left outboard slat. This AD would require modifying the 
assembly of the slat extension mechanical stop. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the assembly of the slat extension mechanical 
stop, which if not corrected, could lead to a significant fuel leak and 
result in an uncontained fire.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 5, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of April 5, 
2016.

[[Page 10458]]


ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2015-3144; 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 final rule, 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-2015-3144.

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 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Dassault Aviation 
Model FALCON 900EX and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on August 21, 2015 (80 FR 50810). The NPRM was 
prompted by a report of significant fuel leakage at the middle position 
of the left outboard slat. The NPRM proposed to require modifying the 
assembly of the slat extension mechanical stop. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the assembly of the slat extension mechanical 
stop, which if not corrected, could lead to a significant fuel leak and 
result in an uncontained fire.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0115, dated May 13, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault 
Aviation Model FALCON 900EX and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The MCAI 
states:

    After landing, an airplane experienced a significant fuel 
leakage at the middle position of the left outboard slat. 
Investigations showed that the fuel spillage originated in a 
structural cap, which had been punctured by a broken locking pin of 
the slat extension mechanical stop.
    A design review revealed that the locking pin could become loose 
due to an incorrect installation combined with a non-fault-tolerant 
design.
    This condition, if not corrected, may lead to a significant fuel 
leak, possibly resulting in an uncontained fire.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault Aviation 
developed a modification of the slat extension mechanical stop 
assembly (Mod M3678 for [Model] F2000EX aeroplanes and Mod M5870 for 
[Model] F900EX aeroplanes) with the purpose to increase its 
robustness with regards to possible mishandling on production or 
during maintenance. Dassault Aviation also published Service 
Bulletin (SB) F2000EX-344 and SB F900EX-450, for embodiment in 
service of that modification.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA AD] requires 
modification of the slat extension mechanical stop assembly.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-3144-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the NPRM (80 FR 
50810, August 21, 2015) and the FAA's response to that comment.

Request To Refer to the Latest Service Information

    Dassault Aviation requested that we refer to the latest service 
information: Erratum Service Bulletin F900EX-450, dated July 16, 2014; 
and Erratum Service Bulletin F2000EX-344, dated July 16, 2014. Dassault 
Aviation stated that it issued changes to Dassault Service Bulletin 
F900EX-450, dated March 10, 2014; and Dassault Service Bulletin 
F2000EX-344, dated March 10, 2014 (which we referred to as the 
appropriate sources of service information for accomplishing the 
actions specified in the proposed AD (80 FR 50810, August 21, 2015)).
    We agree with the commenter. Dassault Erratum Service Bulletin 
F900EX-450, dated July 16, 2014; and Erratum Service Bulletin F2000EX-
344, dated July 16, 2014; include among other minor changes, additional 
illustrations. We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to refer to 
Dassault Erratum Service Bulletin F900EX-450, dated July 16, 2014; and 
Dassault Erratum Service Bulletin F2000EX-344, dated July 16, 2014. We 
have also added a new paragraph (h) to this AD to provide credit for 
the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions are 
done before the effective date of this AD using Dassault Service 
Bulletin F900EX-450, dated March 10, 2014; or Dassault Service Bulletin 
F2000EX-344, dated March 10, 2014; as applicable. We have redesignated 
the subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these 
minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 50810, August 21, 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 50810, August 21, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Dassault Aviation has issued Erratum Service Bulletin F900EX-450, 
dated July 16, 2014; and Erratum Service Bulletin F2000EX-344, dated 
July 16, 2014. This service information describes procedures for 
modifying the assembly of the slat extension mechanical stop. 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 67 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We also estimate that it will take about 8 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $3,510 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $280,730, or $4,190 per product.

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

[[Page 10459]]

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-2015-3144; 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2016-04-09 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-18403. Docket No. FAA-
2015-3144; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-110-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD becomes effective April 5, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation airplanes specified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX airplanes, all serial 
numbers on which Dassault Aviation Modification M5281 has been 
embodied, except those on which Dassault Aviation Modification M5870 
has been embodied in production.
    (2) Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes, all serial 
numbers on which Dassault Aviation Modification M2846 has been 
embodied, except those on which Dassault Aviation Modification M3678 
has been embodied in production.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of significant fuel leakage at 
the middle position of the left outboard slat. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of the assembly of the slat extension 
mechanical stop, which if not corrected, could lead to a significant 
fuel leak and result in an uncontained fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

    Within 9 months or 440 flight hours, whichever occurs first 
after the effective date of this AD: Modify the assembly of the slat 
extension mechanical stop, in accordance with Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dassault Erratum Service Bulletin F900EX-450, dated 
July 16, 2014; or Dassault Erratum Service Bulletin F2000EX-344, 
dated July 16, 2014; as applicable.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using the applicable service information identified 
in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, which are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (1) Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-450, dated March 10, 2014; 
and
    (2) Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-344, dated March 20, 2014.

(i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2014-0115, dated May 13, 2014, 
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-2015-3144.
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (k)(4) of this AD.

(k) 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) Dassault Erratum Service Bulletin F900EX-450, dated July 16, 
2014. (All pages of this revised service bulletin are marked 
``Initial issuance'' and dated July 16, 2014.)
    (ii) Dassault Erratum Service Bulletin F2000EX-344, dated July 
16, 2014. (All pages of this revised service bulletin are marked 
``Initial issuance'' and dated July 16, 2014.)
    (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

[[Page 10460]]

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 February 15, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-03694 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am]
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