83 FR 15038 - Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 68 (April 9, 2018)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, and G airplanes; and certain Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) on touchdown. This AD requires an electrical modification of the landing gear sequence logic. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 68 (Monday, April 9, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15038-15041]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06711]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0908; Product Identifier 2017-NM-103-AD; Amendment 
39-19238; AD 2018-07-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

[[Page 15039]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, 
and G airplanes; and certain Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, 
and 20-F5 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the collapse of 
the main landing gear (MLG) on touchdown. This AD requires an 
electrical modification of the landing gear sequence logic. We are 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 14, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 14, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 
2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; internet 
http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this referenced 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-2017-0908.

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-2017-
0908; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, 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: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226.

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 all Dassault Aviation Model 
FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, and G airplanes; and 
certain Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2017 (82 FR 
49151) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by reports of the collapse 
of the main landing gear on touchdown. The NPRM proposed to require an 
electrical modification of the landing gear sequence logic. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent MLG collapse, which could result in damage 
to the airplane and injury to the occupants.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2017-0130, dated July 26, 2017 (referred to after this as the Mandatory 
Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an 
unsafe condition for all Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN 
JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, and G airplanes; and certain Model MYSTERE-
FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An incident occurred in January 2016 on a Falcon 20-5 aeroplane 
where, upon touchdown, one main landing gear (MLG) collapsed, due to 
a sequence anomaly.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to additional 
events of MLG collapse, possibly resulting in damage to the 
aeroplane and injury to the occupants.
    Prompted by previous similar events, Dassault developed a 
modification, ensuring that hydraulic pressure of circuit #1 of the 
landing gear actuators is maintained after the extension sequence is 
completed. As a result, in the unlikely case of having one of the 
legs not properly mechanically locked down, the pressure maintained 
in the landing gear bracing devices will prevent landing gear from 
collapsing. Dassault published Service Bulletin (SB) F20-676 in 1981 
(later revised in 1998) which contains the necessary instructions to 
modify in-service aeroplanes.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires an 
electrical modification of the landing gear sequence logic.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0908.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR part 51

    Dassault Aviation has issued Service Bulletin F20-676, Revision 1, 
dated March 4, 1998. This service information describes procedures for 
an electrical modification of the MLG sequence logic to prevent landing 
gear collapse on touchdown. 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 308 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification.......................  21 work-hours x $85 per                $912          $2,697        $830,676
                                      hour = $1,785.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 15040]]

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 to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that 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 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.

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):

2018-07-07 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-19238; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0908; Product Identifier 2017-NM-103-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective May 14, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation airplanes, certificated in 
any category, identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) All Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES D, E, F, and 
G airplanes.
    (2) Model MYSTERE-FALCON 20-C5, 20-D5, 20-E5, and 20-F5 
airplanes, except serial numbers (S/Ns) 478 and 485.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of the collapse of the main 
landing gear (MLG) on touchdown. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
MLG collapse, which could result in damage to the airplane and 
injury to the occupants.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

    Within 74 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish 
an electrical modification in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F20-676, Revision 1, dated 
March 4, 1998.

(h) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information identified in paragraph (g) of 
this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards 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 International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA); or Dassault Aviation's EASA Design 
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 
must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2017-0130, dated July 26, 2017, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0908.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3226.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (k)(4) of this AD.

(k) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Dassault Service Bulletin F20-676, Revision 1, dated March 
4, 1998.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, 
South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.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

[[Page 15041]]

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 March 20, 2018.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06711 Filed 4-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P