[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 224 (Thursday, November 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61910-61911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30301]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-198-AD; Amendment 39-10210; AD 97-24-03]
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 revision to the Limitations section of the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to limit the allowed loads in the baggage 
compartment aft of the center baggage net. This AD also requires 
replacement of the center baggage net in the baggage compartment with a 
net having reinforced straps, which terminates the requirement for the 
AFM revision. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that 
the center baggage net cannot sustain design loads in the event of an 
accident. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
injury to passengers, as a result of inadequate breaking strength of 
the baggage net, in the event of an accident.

DATES: Effective December 26, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 26, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, 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: 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 September 15, 
1997 (62 FR 48187). That action proposed to require a revision to the 
Limitations section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to 
limit the allowed loads in the baggage compartment aft of the center 
baggage net. The AD also proposed to require replacement of the center 
baggage net in the baggage compartment with a net having reinforced 
straps, which would terminate the requirement for the AFM revision.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
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 20 Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the replacement, 
and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts 
will cost approximately $520 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $11,600, or 
$580 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the AFM revision, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators of the AFM revision 
required by this AD is estimated to be $1,200, or $60 per airplane.
    Based on the above figures, the total cost impact on U.S. operators 
of the replacement and AFM revision is estimated to be $12,800, or $640 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish

[[Page 61911]]

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:

97-24-03  Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-10210. Docket 97-NM-198-
AD.

    Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 airplanes, serial numbers 2 
through 31 inclusive; 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 (c) 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 injury to passengers as a result of inadequate 
breaking strength of the baggage net, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) by inserting into the AFM a copy of Falcon 2000 AFM Temporary 
Change No. 31 (undated).

    Note 2: The revision of the AFM required by this paragraph may 
be accomplished by inserting a copy of Falcon 2000 AFM Temporary 
Change No. 31 in the AFM. When this temporary change has been 
incorporated into general revisions of the AFM, the general 
revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided that the information 
contained in the general revisions is identical to that specified in 
Falcon 2000 AFM Temporary Change No. 31.

    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the center baggage net in the baggage compartment with a net having 
reinforced straps, in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin 
F2000-76 (F2000-25-2), dated December 11, 1996. After this 
replacement is accomplished, the AFM revision required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
    (c) 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.

    (d) 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.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Falcon 2000 
Airplane Flight Manual Temporary Change No. 31 (undated), and 
Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-76 (F2000-25-2), dated December 11, 
1996. 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 
Corporation, Teterboro Airport, 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 French airworthiness 
directive 96-291-002(B), dated December 4, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 26, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 10, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30301 Filed 11-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U