[Federal Register: January 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 14)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3041-3043]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ja04-21]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-232-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dassault Model Mystere-
Falcon 50 series airplanes. This proposal would require one-time
detailed inspections for structural discrepancies of various fuselage
attachments; and corrective actions, if necessary, to restore the
structure to the original design specifications. This action is
necessary to prevent early fatigue, corrosion, or fretting, which could
result in structural failure of major components of the airplane and
reduced structural integrity of the airplane. This action is intended
to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 23, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-232-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-232-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet, PO Box 2000, South Hackensack, New
Jersey 07606. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2002-NM-232-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the
[[Page 3042]]
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 2002-NM-232-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified the FAA that
an unsafe condition may exist on certain Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon
50 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that non-conformities to the
original design specifications of the airplane were recorded at
assembly for various fuselage attachments. Those non-conformities to
specifications, if not corrected, could result in early fatigue,
corrosion, or fretting, which could cause structural failure of major
components, and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Dassault Aviation has issued Service Bulletin F50-332, dated March
13, 2002, which describes procedures for detailed inspections for
structural discrepancies (e.g., missing rivets, and loose or non-
reinforced rivets and screws) of various fuselage attachments. The
inspection areas include points on the cabin inner structure, the stub,
and the outer structure. This service bulletin also describes
procedures for corrective actions, if necessary, to restore the
structure to the original design specifications. The corrective actions
include installing new shims, installing new reinforcement fittings,
re-torquing or re-installing screws, and installing missing rivets, as
applicable, at the appropriate point(s) of the fuselage. Accomplishment
of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to
adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DGAC classified
this service bulletin as mandatory and issued French airworthiness
directive 2002-033-039(B) R1, dated May 15, 2002, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Conclusions
This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of
the DGAC, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously,
except as discussed below.
Difference Between the Service Bulletin and This Proposed AD
Although the service bulletin specifies to submit a reporting card
to the manufacturer, this proposed AD would not include such a
requirement.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 21 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $65 per work
hour. The estimated work hours per inspection are between 5 hours and
123 hours, depending on the operating point(s) that would be inspected.
The estimated cost per airplane is between $325 and $7,995.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 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 proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Dassault Aviation: Docket 2002-NM-232-AD.
Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 50 series airplanes, having
serial numbers (S/N) 253 through 278 inclusive; certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent early fatigue, corrosion, or fretting, which could
result in structural failure of major components, and possible
reduced structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Inspections and Corrective Actions
(a) Within 78 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform one-time detailed inspection(s) for structural discrepancies
of the fuselage attachments at all applicable operating points
specified in paragraph 2.B. of the Accomplishment Instructions of
Dassault Service Bulletin F50-332, dated March 13, 2002. Perform the
inspections in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
the service bulletin.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed 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.''
(b) If any structural discrepancy of the fuselage attachments
(e.g., missing rivets, and
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loose or un-reinforced rivets and screws) is found during the
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Prior to further
flight, accomplish all applicable corrective actions (e.g.,
installing new shims, installing new reinforcement fittings, re-
torquing or re-installing screws, and installing missing rivets), as
applicable, at the appropriate operating point(s) of the fuselage,
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault
Service Bulletin F50-332, dated March 13, 2002.
No Reporting Requirements
(c) Although the service bulletin specifies to submit a
reporting card to the manufacturer, this AD does not include such a
requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French
airworthiness directive 2002-033-039(B) R1, dated May 15, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 9, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1306 Filed 1-21-04; 8:45 am]
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