Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-377-AD; Amendment 39-11365; AD 99-21-20]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, that

requires a detailed inspection for interference between the safety-lock

hooks and upper cowls, and corrective action, if necessary. This

amendment also requires modification of the attachment supports of the

inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks

on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between

the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions,

if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory

continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness

authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent

unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks during ground

maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of an engine cowl

from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and persons or

property on the ground.

DATES: Effective November 17, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of November 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New

Jersey 07606. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,

DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)

227-2110; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000

series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 12,

1999 (64 FR 43961). That action proposed to require a detailed

inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper

cowls, and corrective action, if necessary. That action also proposed

to require modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking

hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower

engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer

edges of the upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, if

necessary.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response

[[Page 55412]]

to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest

require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the required inspections and modification, and

that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will

cost approximately $9 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost

impact of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,371,

or $189 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that

no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD

action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the

future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is

not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;

(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action

and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained

from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by

reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

99-21-20 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-11365. Docket 98-NM-377-

AD.

Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, serial

numbers 2 through 72 inclusive, except those airplanes on which

modification M1486 (reference Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133,

dated July 29, 1998, or Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998) has been

accomplished; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks

during ground maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of

the engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the

airplane and persons or property on the ground, accomplish the

following:

Corrective Actions

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD,

accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3)

of this AD in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133,

Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998.

(1) Perform a detailed visual inspection for interference

between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls. If the clearance is

outside the limits specified in the service bulletin, prior to

further flight, trim the edges of the upper cowl slots.

(2) Modify the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks.

(3) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the safety-lock

hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for

clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls. If

any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, perform the

applicable corrective action specified in the service bulletin.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual

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.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their

requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector,

who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International

Branch, ANM-116.

Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where

the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Dassault

Service Bulletin F2000-133, Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998. This

incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the

Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part

51. Copies may be obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000,

South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606. Copies may be inspected at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North

Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French

airworthiness directive 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1999.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 1999.

D.L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-26276 Filed 10-12-99; 8:45 am]

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