Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This AD was prompted by brake system failures during landing due to a brake servo-valve failure resulting from application of an inappropriate oil type during production and maintenance. This AD requires relocating affected servo-valves and revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide temporary information necessary to operate airplanes fitted with at least one affected brake servo-valve, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also limits or prohibits the installation of affected brake servo-valves. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective May 31, 2022.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 31, 2022.

The FAA must receive comments on this AD by June 27, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu ; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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 in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0504.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0504; 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 AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3226; email Tom.Rodriguez@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES . Include “Docket No. FAA-2022-0504; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00531-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this final rule because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3226; email Tom.Rodriguez@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E, dated April 14, 2022 (EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Model FALCON 2000 and FALCON 2000EX airplanes.

This AD was prompted by brake system failures during landing. Subsequent investigation determined the root cause to be a brake servo-valve failure. A batch of brake servo-valves has been identified during airplane production and maintenance with an internal oil type that does not meet the manufacturer's cold temperature specifications, which can lead to their failure. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent temporary failure of the brake servo-valves, which could lead to reduced braking performance during landing including degraded or dissymmetric braking, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane, lateral excursion of the runway, and consequent damage to the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E specifies procedures for, among other actions, relocating affected brake servo-valves between the left-hand and right-hand brake control systems to ensure that at least one of the two independent brake systems has no affected parts. EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E also specifies revising the existing AFM to provide temporary information necessary to operate airplanes fitted with at least one affected brake servo-valve. EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E also limits or prohibits the future installation of affected brake servo-valves. This material 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.

FAA's Determination

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI described above. The FAA is issuing this AD after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of these same type designs.

Requirements of This AD

This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E described previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD, and except as discussed under “Differences Between this AD and the MCAI.”

EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E requires operators to “inform all flight crews” of revisions to AFM, and thereafter to “operate the aeroplane accordingly.” However, this AD does not specifically require those actions as they are already required by FAA regulations. FAA regulations require that operators furnish to pilots any changes to the AFM (for example, 14 CFR 135.81(c)), and to ensure that pilots are familiar with the AFM (for example, 14 CFR 91.505(a)). FAA regulations also require pilots to follow the procedures in the existing AFM including all updates. 14 CFR 91.9 requires that any person operating a civil aircraft must comply with the operating limitations specified in the AFM. Therefore, including a requirement in this AD to operate the airplane according to the revised AFM would be redundant and unnecessary.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E is incorporated by reference in this AD. This AD requires compliance with EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a particular section in EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E does not mean that operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to “all required actions and compliance times,” compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section titled “Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)” in EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E. Service information required by EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E for compliance will be available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0504 after this AD is published.

Difference Between This AD and the MCAI

The MCAI specifies to replace each affected brake servo-valve within 12 months. The FAA is considering requiring that action, but the planned compliance time would allow enough time to provide notice and opportunity for prior public comment on the merits of the replacement. The FAA considers that this AD is interim action. The FAA may consider additional rulemaking that would require the replacement of affected brake servo-valves.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq. ) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and comment procedures for rules when the agency, for “good cause,” finds that those procedures are “impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” Under this section, an agency, upon finding good cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, upon a finding of good cause.

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies forgoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because a brake servo-valve failure due to application of an inappropriate oil could lead to reduced braking performance during landing including degraded or dissymmetric braking, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane, lateral excursion of the runway, and consequent damage to the airplane. Given the significance of the risk presented by this unsafe condition, it must be immediately addressed. Accordingly, notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).

In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

The requirements of the RFA do not apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, RFA analysis is not required.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 441 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate.

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.

The FAA is 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

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, and

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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

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 airworthiness directive:

2022-09-15 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-22035; Docket No. FAA-2022-0504; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00531-T.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 31, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by brake system failures during landing due to a brake servo-valve failure resulting from application of an inappropriate oil type during production and maintenance. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent temporary failure of the brake servo-valves, which could lead to reduced braking performance during landing including degraded or dissymmetric braking, possibly resulting in reduced control of the airplane, lateral excursion of the runway, and consequent damage to the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2022-0068-E, dated April 14, 2022 (EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E).

(h) Exceptions to EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E

(1) Where EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where paragraph (2) of EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E requires operators to “inform all flight crews and, thereafter, operate the aeroplane accordingly” after revision of the existing airplane flight manual (AFM), this AD does not require those actions.

(3) Where paragraph (4) of EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E requires replacement of all affected brake servo-valves within 12 months, this AD does not require this action; except, for those conditions that require replacement, as specified in the relocation service information identified in paragraph (1) of EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E, this AD requires replacement, prior to further flight, of one or two affected servo-valves as described in the relocation service information for cases when 3 or 4 affected servo-valves are found, as applicable.

(4) The “Remarks” section of EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E does not apply to this AD.

(i) No Reporting

Although the service information referenced in EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E specifies to submit certain information and send removed parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Dassault Aviation's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3226; email Tom.Rodriguez@faa.gov.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2022-0068-E, dated April 14, 2022.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA Emergency AD 2022-0068-E, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu ; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA AD on the EASA website at https://ad.easa.europa.eu.

(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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 material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.