Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 13, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55411-55412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26276]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-377-AD; Amendment 39-11365; AD 99-21-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 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 Falcon 2000 series airplanes, that 
requires a detailed inspection for interference between the safety-lock 
hooks and upper cowls, and corrective action, if necessary. This 
amendment also requires modification of the attachment supports of the 
inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks 
on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between 
the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, 
if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness 
authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks during ground 
maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of an engine cowl 
from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and persons or 
property on the ground.

DATES: Effective November 17, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 17, 1999.

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 Falcon 2000 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 12, 
1999 (64 FR 43961). That action proposed to require a detailed 
inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper 
cowls, and corrective action, if necessary. That action also proposed 
to require modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking 
hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower 
engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer 
edges of the upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, if 
necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response

[[Page 55412]]

to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspections and modification, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will 
cost approximately $9 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,371, 
or $189 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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:

99-21-20  Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-11365. Docket 98-NM-377-
AD.

    Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, serial 
numbers 2 through 72 inclusive, except those airplanes on which 
modification M1486 (reference Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, 
dated July 29, 1998, or Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998) has been 
accomplished; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks 
during ground maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of 
the engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the 
airplane and persons or property on the ground, accomplish the 
following:

Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) 
of this AD in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, 
Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998.
    (1) Perform a detailed visual inspection for interference 
between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls. If the clearance is 
outside the limits specified in the service bulletin, prior to 
further flight, trim the edges of the upper cowl slots.
    (2) Modify the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks.
    (3) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the safety-lock 
hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for 
clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls. If 
any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, perform the 
applicable corrective action specified in the service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

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 3: 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 
Service Bulletin F2000-133, Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998.

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26276 Filed 10-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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