Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60767-60769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25661]



[[Page 60767]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0760; Product Identifier 2018-NM-095-AD; Amendment 
39-19506; AD 2018-24-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, and 
FALCON 900EX airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked 
reinforcing straps (doublers) on the ailerons of airplanes equipped 
with blended winglets. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections 
for cracking of the upper and lower reinforcing straps on the ailerons, 
and replacement if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 2, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of January 2, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Aviation Partners, Inc., 7299 Perimeter Road South, Seattle, WA 
98108-3812; phone: 206-762-1171; email: [email protected]; 
internet: http://www.aviationpartners.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. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-0760.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0760; 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 (phone: 800-647-
5527) 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: Michael Bumbaugh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3522; email: 
[email protected].

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 MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, and FALCON 900EX 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 24, 
2018 (83 FR 42810). The NPRM was prompted by reports of cracked 
reinforcing straps (doublers) on the ailerons of airplanes equipped 
with blended winglets. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive detailed 
inspections for cracking of the upper and lower reinforcing straps on 
the ailerons, and replacement if necessary.
    We are issuing this AD to address cracking of aileron reinforcing 
straps, which could lead to fatigue cracking of the ailerons and 
subsequent loss of control of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. The 
commenter, Sean Sullivan, indicated support for the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule 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 for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-
17-001, Revision B, dated December 20, 2017. This service information 
describes procedures for detailed inspections for any signs of cracking 
of the external upper and lower reinforcing straps on the left-hand 
(LH) and right-hand (RH) ailerons.
    We also reviewed Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin 
SBF9-17-002, Revision A, dated December 20, 2017. This service 
information describes procedures for replacing the external upper and 
lower reinforcing straps on the LH and RH ailerons.
    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 70 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                     Labor cost          Parts cost     Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repetitive inspections.........  1 work-hour x $85 per                $0  $85 per inspection  $5,950 per
                                  hour = $85 per                           cycle.              inspection cycle.
                                  inspection cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                      Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (4 doublers)...................  32 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $4,540          $7,260
                                              $2,720.
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[[Page 60768]]

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                         Labor cost                Parts cost           Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (per doubler)..........  8 work-hours x $85 per hour  $1,135 (per doubler)..  $1,815 (per doubler).
                                      = $680 (per doubler).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This 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

    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 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.

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):

2018-24-02 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-19506; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0760; Product Identifier 2018-NM-095-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 2, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, 
MYSTERE-FALCON 900, and FALCON 900EX airplanes equipped with blended 
winglets installed in accordance with the supplemental type 
certificate (STC) specified in paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this 
AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50 airplanes: STC ST02241SE.
    (2) For Model MYSTERE-FALCON 900 and FALCON 900EX airplanes: STC 
ST02188SE.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of cracked reinforcing straps 
(doublers) on the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) ailerons of 
airplanes equipped with blended winglets. We are issuing this AD to 
address cracking of aileron reinforcing straps, which could lead to 
fatigue cracking of the ailerons and subsequent loss of control of 
the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Action

    Within 8 months or 400 flight hours (FH), whichever occurs 
first, after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 8 months or 400 FH, whichever occurs first: 
Do a detailed inspection for cracking of the upper and lower 
reinforcing straps of the LH and RH ailerons, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon 
Service Bulletin SBF9-17-001, Revision B, dated December 20, 2017. 
If any cracked aileron reinforcing strap is found, before further 
flight: Replace the reinforcing strap with a new part, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation Partners, Inc., 
Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, Revision A, dated December 20, 
2017.

(h) Terminating Action for Repetitive Inspections

    Replacement of any aileron reinforcing strap with a new part, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Aviation 
Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, Revision A, 
dated December 20, 2017, constitutes terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD for that 
part only.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the inspections specified 
in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon 
Service Bulletin SBF9-17-001, dated March 3, 2017; or Aviation 
Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-001, Revision A, 
dated April 4, 2017.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the replacement specified 
in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Aviation 
Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, dated March 7, 
2017.

(j) No Reporting Requirement and No Parts Return

    (1) Although Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin 
SBF9-17-001, Revision B, dated December 20, 2017; and Aviation 
Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-002, Revision A, 
dated December 20, 2017; specify to submit certain

[[Page 60769]]

information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that 
requirement.
    (2) Although Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin 
SBF9-17-002, Revision A, dated December 20, 2017, specifies 
salvaging and returning a damaged strap to Aviation Partners, Inc., 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO 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 
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be 
emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Michael 
Bumbaugh, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO 
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 
206-231-3522; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-
001, Revision B, dated December 20, 2017.
    (ii) Aviation Partners, Inc., Falcon Service Bulletin SBF9-17-
002, Revision A, dated December 20, 2017.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aviation Partners, Inc., 7299 Perimeter Road South, Seattle, WA 
98108-3812; phone: 206-762-1171; email: [email protected]; 
internet: http://www.aviationpartners.com.
    (4) 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.
    (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 Des Moines, Washington, on November 15, 2018.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-25661 Filed 11-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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