Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a revision to the airplane airworthiness limitations to introduce a corrosion prevention control program, among other changes, to the maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance program to include the maintenance tasks and airworthiness limitations specified in the airworthiness limitations section of the airplane maintenance manual. We are proposing this AD to prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 12, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493-2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may review copies of the 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov;; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the MCAI, 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. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-227-1137; fax: 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2013-0794; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-157-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA Airworthiness Directive 2012-0157, dated August 23, 2012 (referred to after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:*

The airworthiness limitations and maintenance requirements for the Falcon 2000EX type design are included in Dassault Aviation Falcon 2000EX (F2000EX) 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/ad/2008-0221.pdf ] to require accomplishment of the maintenance tasks, and implementation of the airworthiness limitations, as specified in Dassault Aviation F2000EX AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 3.

Since that AD was issued, Dassault Aviation issued F2000EX AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 7, which introduces new or more restrictive maintenance requirements and/or airworthiness limitations.

Dassault Aviation AMM chapter 5-40 revision 7 contains among other changes the following requirements:

—Inspection and test of horizontal stabilizer jackscrew;

—Test of various components of the electrical power system;

—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 service life limit for screwjack of flap actuators;

—Test of flap asymmetry protection system. F2000EX AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 7 introduces extended inspection interval;

—Tests of the auto brake system;

—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/ad/2008-0072.pdf ]. F2000EX AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 7 introduces extended inspection interval.

The maintenance tasks and airworthiness limitations, as specified in the F2000EX AMM chapter 5-40, have been identified as mandatory actions for continued airworthiness of the F2000EX type design. Failure to comply with AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 7 might constitute an unsafe condition.

For the reasons described above, this AD requires the implementation of the maintenance tasks and airworthiness limitations, as specified in Dassault Aviation F2000EX AMM chapter 5-40 at revision 7.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Dassault has issued Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 8, dated July 2012, of Chapter 5 of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX, Falcon 2000EX EASy, Falcon 2000DX, and Falcon 2000LX Maintenance Manual, dated July 16, 2012. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by this AD, the operator may not be able to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (j) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 18 airplanes of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

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 proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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);

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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2013-0794; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-157-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by November 12, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

Certain requirements of this AD terminate the requirements of AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR 79952, December 21, 2010), for the airplanes identified in paragraph (c) of this AD.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial numbers.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by a revision to the airplane airworthiness limitations to introduce the 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

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been 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, DGT 113877, Revision 8, dated July 2012, of Chapter 5 of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX, Falcon 2000EX EASy, Falcon 2000DX, and Falcon 2000LX Maintenance Manual, dated July 16, 2012. The initial compliance time for accomplishing the actions specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 8, dated July 2012, of Chapter 5 of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX, Falcon 2000EX EASy, Falcon 2000DX, and Falcon 2000LX Maintenance Manual, dated July 16, 2012, is within the times specified in that maintenance manual, or 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 “landings” in the “First Inspection” column of any table in the service information means total airplane landings.

(2) The term “flight hours” in the “First Inspection” column of any table in the service information means total flight hours.

(3) The term “flight cycles” in the “First Inspection” column of any table in the service information means total flight cycles.

(4) For task number 52-20-00-610-801-01 52-205 the initial compliance time is within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Terminating Action

Accomplishing paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR 79952, December 21, 2010), for Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX 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) of this AD.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) 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, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1137. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(k) Related Information

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2012-0157, dated August 23, 2012, for related information. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may review copies of the 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.