Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-26-07 and AD 2019-07-01 which apply to Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON and FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2019-07-01 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective December 23, 2020.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 23, 2020.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of May 24, 2019 (84 FR 16390, April 19, 2019).

ADDRESSES:

For EASA material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact the 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 . For the Dassault Aviation material identified in this AD that continues to be IBR, contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; internet https://www.dassaultfalcon.com . You may view this IBR 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 on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0582.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0582; 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, any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations 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, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226; email tom.rodriguez@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2019-0141, dated June 17, 2019 (“EASA AD 2019-0141”) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON and FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2019-07-01, Amendment 39-19612 (84 FR 16390, April 19, 2019) (“AD 2019-07-01”) and AD 2014-26-07, Amendment 39-18058 (80 FR 2815, January 21, 2015) (“AD 2014-26-07”). AD 2019-07-01 applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON and FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2020 (85 FR 42746). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The NPRM proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in an EASA AD.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address, among other things, fatigue cracking and damage in principal structural elements; such fatigue cracking and damage could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional background information.

Comments

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

Conclusion

The FAA 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. The FAA has 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 IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

EASA AD 2019-0141 describes new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and safe life limits.

This AD also requires Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 131028, Revision 17, dated September 2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of May 24, 2019 (84 FR 16390, April 19, 2019).

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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 168 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained actions from AD 2019-07-01 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour).

The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. In the past, the agency has estimated that this action takes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane estimate. The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed actions to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $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.

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,

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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

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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-26-07, Amendment 39-18058 ( 80 FR 2815, January 21, 2015); and AD 2019-07-01, Amendment 39-19612 (84 FR 16390, April 19, 2019); and

b. Adding the following new AD:

2020-23-10 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-21326; Docket No. FAA-2020-0582; Product Identifier 2020-NM-059-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 23, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD replaces AD 2014-26-07, Amendment 39-18058 (80 FR 2815, January 21, 2015) (“AD 2014-26-07”); and AD 2019-07-01, Amendment 39-19612 (84 FR 16390, April 19, 2019) (“AD 2019-07-01”).

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to the Dassault Aviation airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0141, dated June 17, 2019 (“EASA AD 2019-0141”).

(1) Model FAN JET FALCON airplanes.

(2) Model FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address, among other things, fatigue cracking and damage in principal structural elements; such fatigue cracking and damage could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision, With No Changes

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2019-07-01, with no changes. Within 12 months after May 24, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-07-01), revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the airworthiness limitations and maintenance requirements specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 131028, Revision 17, dated September 2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance time for accomplishing the actions is at the applicable time specified in Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 131028, Revision 17, dated September 2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual or within 12 months after May 24, 2019, whichever occurs later. Where the threshold column in the table in paragraph B, Mandatory Maintenance Operations, of Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 131028, Revision 17, dated September 2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual specifies a compliance time in years, those compliance times are since the date of issuance of the original French or EASA airworthiness certificate or date of issuance of the original French or EASA export certificate of airworthiness. Accomplishing the maintenance or inspection program revision required by paragraph (i) of this AD terminates the requirements of this paragraph.

(h) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals With a New Exception

This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2019-07-01, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, 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 (l)(1) of this AD.

(i) New Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

Except as specified in paragraph (j) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2019-0141. Accomplishing the maintenance or inspection program revision required by this paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Exceptions to EASA AD 2019-0141

(1) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2019-0141 do not apply to this AD.

(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0141 specifies revising “the approved AMP” within 12 months after its effective date, but this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the “limitations, tasks and associated thresholds and intervals” specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0141 within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.

(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0141 is at the applicable “associated thresholds” specified in paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2019-0141, or within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(4) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2019-0141 does not apply to this AD.

(k) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed except as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2019-0141.

(l) Other FAA 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 local Flight Standards District 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 (m) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.

(i) 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.

(ii) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2019-07-01 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of EASA AD 2019-0141 that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(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.

(m) Related Information

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

(n) 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.

(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 23, 2020.

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0141, dated June 17, 2019.

(ii) [Reserved]

(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on May 24, 2019 (84 FR 16390, April 19, 2019).

(i) Chapter 5-40, Airworthiness Limitations, DGT 131028, Revision 17, dated September 2017, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual.

(ii) [Reserved]

(5) For EASA AD 2019-0141, contact the 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 .

(6) For Dassault Aviation material, contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; internet https://www.dassaultfalcon.com .

(7) 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. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0582.

(8) 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 fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html .