83 FR 50479 - Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 195 (October 9, 2018)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airplane maintenance manual (AMM) maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50479-50482]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21462]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0357; Product Identifier 2018-NM-035-AD; Amendment 
39-19428; AD 2018-19-27]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This AD was

[[Page 50480]]

prompted by the manufacturer revising the airplane maintenance manual 
(AMM) maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. This AD 
requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate new maintenance requirements and airworthiness 
limitations. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 13, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 13, 
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 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-2018-
0357.

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-2018-
0357; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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 certain Dassault Aviation 
Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on April 30, 2018 (83 FR 18760). The NPRM was prompted by the 
manufacturer revising the AMM maintenance requirements and 
airworthiness limitations. The NPRM proposed to require revising the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are issuing 
this AD to address reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2018-0021, dated January 29, 2018 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault 
Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The airworthiness limitations for Dassault Falcon 2000EX 
aeroplanes, which are approved by EASA, are currently defined and 
published in Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Airworthiness 
Limitations Section (ALS) Chapter 5-40. These instructions have been 
identified as mandatory for continued airworthiness.
    Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an 
unsafe condition [i.e., reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane].
    EASA previously issued [EASA] AD 2012-0157 [which corresponds to 
FAA AD 2014-16-12, Amendment 39-17936 (79 FR 52187, September 3, 
2014) (``AD 2014-16-12'')], requiring the actions described in 
Dassault Falcon 2000EX AMM Chapter 5-40 (DGT 113877) at Revision 07.
    Since that [EASA] AD was issued, Dassault published Revision 11 
of Dassault Falcon 2000EX AMM Chapter 5-40 (DGT 113877), containing 
new and/or more restrictive maintenance tasks and introducing (among 
other changes) an operational test for Cursor Control Device.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2012-0157, which is superseded, and requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the Dassault Falcon 
2000EX AMM Chapter 5-40 (DGT 113877) at Revision 11 * * *.

    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-2018-
0357.

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 final rule 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 addressing 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 Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 11, dated November 2017, of the 
Dassault Falcon 2000EX Maintenance Manual. This service information 
describes instructions applicable to airworthiness and safe life 
limitations. 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 181 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
    We have determined that revising the maintenance or inspection 
program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although we 
recognize that this number may vary from operator to operator. In the 
past, we have estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per 
airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program 
changes for their affected fleet(s), we have determined that a per-
operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. 
Therefore, we estimate the total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 
work-hours x $85 per work-hour).

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

[[Page 50481]]

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 and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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,
    (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):

2018-19-27 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-19428; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0357; Product Identifier 2018-NM-035-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 13, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2010-26-05, Amendment 39-16544 (75 FR 79952, 
December 21, 2010) (``AD 2010-26-05''); and AD 2014-16-12, Amendment 
39-17936 (79 FR 52187, September 3, 2014) (``AD 2014-16-12'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX 
airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original 
certificate of airworthiness or original export certificate of 
airworthiness issued on or before January 15, 2018.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time limits/
maintenance checks.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by manufacturer revisions to the airplane 
maintenance manual (AMM) that introduce new or more restrictive 
maintenance requirements and airworthiness limitations. We are 
issuing this AD to address reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 90 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 11, dated November 2017, of the Dassault Falcon 
2000EX Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance times for doing 
the tasks are at the time specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness 
Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 11, dated November 2017, of the 
Dassault Falcon 2000EX Maintenance Manual, or within 90 days after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later; except for 
task number 52-20-00-610-801-01, the initial compliance time is 
within 24 months after October 8, 2014 (the effective date of AD 
2014-16-12). The term ``LDG'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of 
any table in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, 
Revision 11, dated November 2017, means total airplane landings. The 
term ``FH'' in the ``First Inspection'' column of any table in 
Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 11, 
dated November 2017, means total flight hours. The term ``FC'' in 
the ``First Inspection'' column of any table in Chapter 5-40, 
Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, Revision 11, dated November 
2017, means total flight cycles.

(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
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)(1) of 
this AD.

(i) Terminating Actions for Other ADs

    (1) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD terminates all of the requirements of AD 2014-16-12.
    (2) Accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this 
AD terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2010-26-05 for 
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes.

(j) 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 (k)(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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA AD 2018-0021, dated January 29, 2018, 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-2018-0357.
    (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.

(l) 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) Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 113877, 
Revision 11, dated

[[Page 50482]]

November 2017, of the Dassault Falcon 2000EX Maintenance Manual.
    (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 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 September 14, 2018.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21462 Filed 10-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P