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[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 189 (Friday, September 30, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57217-57219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19566]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22560; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-061-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 Airplanes 
Equipped With CFE Company CFE738-1-1B Turbofan Engines

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 airplanes equipped with CFE 
Company CFE738-1-1B turbofan engines. This proposed AD would require 
determining the serial number of the engines installed on the airplane, 
inspecting any affected engine to verify that a spherical bearing is 
installed on the attachment fitting of the engine mount, and corrective 
action if necessary. This proposed AD results from a report of a 
missing spherical bearing on the attachment fitting of the front engine 
mount on an in-service airplane, and subsequent damage and abnormal 
fatigue of the attachment fitting. We are proposing this AD to prevent 
reduced structural integrity of the engine mount, which could result in 
possible separation of an engine from the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 31, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the

[[Page 57218]]

instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
22560; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-061-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 airplanes 
equipped with CFE Company CFE738-1-1B turbofan engines. The DGAC 
advises that there has been a report of a missing spherical bearing 
found on the attachment fitting of the front engine mount on an in-
service airplane. The absence of the spherical bearing resulted in 
damage and abnormal fatigue of the attachment fitting. Investigation 
revealed that the missing spherical bearing was one intended for pickup 
of loads perpendicular to the engine thrust. After the engine was moved 
from the right-hand to the left-hand side of the airplane, the 
spherical bearing was found in the outer ring of the opposite side. 
Airplanes affected by this defect would be those on which one or both 
engines were moved from one side of the airplane to the other during 
production. This condition, if not corrected, could cause reduced 
structural integrity of the engine mount, which could result in 
possible separation of an engine from the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F2000-299, dated July 23, 
2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for determining the 
serial number of the engines installed on the airplane, performing a 
borescope inspection of any affected engine to verify a spherical 
bearing is installed on the attachment fitting of the front engine 
mount, and corrective action if necessary. If a spherical bearing is 
missing, the corrective action involves removing the engine and sending 
it to a CFE service center for repair. The DGAC mandated the service 
information and issued French airworthiness directive F-2004-128, dated 
August 4, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in France.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This airplane model is manufactured in France and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Among 
Proposed AD, French Airworthiness Directive, and Service Bulletin.''

Differences Among Proposed AD, French Airworthiness Directive, and 
Service Bulletin

    The French airworthiness directive and the service bulletin specify 
that if a spherical bearing is missing, operators should return the 
engine to a CFE service center for repair. This proposed AD would 
require you to repair those conditions using a method that we or the 
DGAC (or its delegated agent) approve. In light of the type of repair 
that would be required to address the unsafe condition, and consistent 
with existing bilateral airworthiness agreements, we have determined 
that, for this proposed AD, a repair we or the DGAC approve would be 
acceptable for compliance with this proposed AD.
    Although the French airworthiness directive referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this 
proposed AD does not include that requirement.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed inspection would affect about 7 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The proposed inspection would take about 2 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is 
$910, or $130 per airplane.

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

[[Page 57219]]

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

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed 
regulation:
    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); 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2005-22560; Directorate Identifier 
2005-NM-061-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 
31, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Dassault Model Falcon 2000 airplanes, 
certificated in any category; equipped with CFE Company CFE738-1-1B 
turbofan engines.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of a missing spherical bearing 
on the attachment fitting of the front engine mount on an in-service 
airplane, and subsequent damage and abnormal fatigue of the 
attachment fitting. We are issuing this AD to prevent reduced 
structural integrity of the engine mount, which could result in 
possible separation of an engine from the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Determine Serial Number (S/N) and Inspect If Necessary

    (f) Within the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph 
(f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD: Determine the serial number of 
the engines installed on the airplane, as identified in the table in 
paragraph 1.A., ``Effectivity,'' of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-
299, dated July 23, 2004; if any affected serial number is found on 
any engine, perform a borescope inspection to verify that a 
spherical bearing is installed on the attachment fitting of the 
front engine mount by doing all the applicable actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (1) For airplanes with any engine having 850 total landings or 
less as of the effective date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 
880 total landings on the engine.
    (2) For airplanes with any engine having more than 850 total 
landings, but 1,000 total landings or less as of the effective date 
of this AD: Within 1 month after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For airplanes with any engine having more than 1,000 total 
landings as of the effective date of this AD: Within 10 landings 
after the effective date of this AD.

Corrective Action

    (g) If any spherical bearing is found missing during the 
inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further 
flight, repair according to a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (or its 
delegated agent).

No Reporting Requirement

    (h) This AD does not require submitting reporting information to 
the manufacturer.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance 
with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (j) French airworthiness directive F-2004-128, issued August 4, 
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 20, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19566 Filed 9-29-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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