Document ID: FAA-2023-1705-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Posted Date: 2023-08-11T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 154 (Friday, August 11, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54500-54503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16871]

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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 154 / Friday, August 11, 2023 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 54500]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1705; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00480-T]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2020-02-13, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET 
FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2020-02-
13 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-02-13, the FAA has determined 
that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. 
This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2020-
02-13 and would require 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 proposed for incorporation by 
reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 
25, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1705; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material that is proposed for IBR in this NPRM, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 
+49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You 
may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is 
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1705.
     For Dassault service information identified in this NPRM, 
contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 
2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; website 
dassaultfalcon.com.
     You may view this service information 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: 206-231-3226; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1705; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-00480-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Tom 
Rodriguez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3226; email: 
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not 
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for 
this rulemaking.

Background

    The FAA issued AD 2020-02-13, Amendment 39-19827 (85 FR 6744, 
February 6, 2020) (AD 2020-02-13), for certain Dassault Aviation Model 
FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 
2020-02-13 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA 
issued AD 2019-0142, dated June 17, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0142) (which

[[Page 54501]]

corresponds to FAA AD 2020-02-13), to correct an unsafe condition.
    AD 2020-02-13 requires revising the existing maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new maintenance 
requirements and airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2020-02-
13 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.

Actions Since AD 2020-02-13 Was Issued

    Since the FAA issued AD 2020-02-13, EASA superseded AD 2019-0142 
and issued EASA AD 2023-0059, dated March 16, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0059) 
(referred to after this as the MCAI), for certain Dassault Aviation 
Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G 
airplanes. The MCAI states that new or more restrictive airworthiness 
limitations have been developed.
    The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1705.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0059. This service information 
specifies new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for 
airplane structures and safe life limits.
    This proposed AD would also require Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness 
Limitations, Revision 10, effective January 1, 2019, of the Dassault 
Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, which the Director of the 
Federal Register approved for incorporation by reference as of March 
12, 2020 (85 FR 6744, February 6, 2020).
    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 ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that 
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop 
in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2020-02-
13. This proposed AD would also require revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, which 
would terminate the retained requirements. These actions are specified 
in EASA AD 2023-0059 already described, as proposed for incorporation 
by reference. Any differences with EASA AD 2023-0059 are identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
    This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections). 
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For 
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in 
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request 
approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to 
paragraph (l)(1) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation 
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance 
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been 
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the 
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2023-0059 by reference in the FAA 
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with 
EASA AD 2023-0059 through that incorporation, except for any 
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this 
proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a 
particular section in EASA AD 2023-0059 does not mean that operators 
need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD 
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,'' 
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section 
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2023-
0059. Service information required by EASA AD 2023-0059 for compliance 
will be available at regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2023-1705 after the FAA final rule is published.

Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process

    The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the 
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs 
has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service 
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the 
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the 
process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness 
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
    For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes 
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged. 
Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new 
airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must 
be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
    The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a 
paragraph that specified that no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions and intervals 
are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in 
the AMOCs paragraph under ``Additional AD Provisions.'' This new format 
includes a ``New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals'' 
paragraph that does not specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may 
still request an AMOC to use an alternative action or interval.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 61 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained 
actions from AD 2020-02-13 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $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. 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.

[[Page 54502]]

    The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed 
actions 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.
    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

    The FAA 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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.

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

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-02-13, Amendment 39-19827 
(85 FR 6744, February 6, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2023-1705; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2023-00480-T.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by September 25, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2020-02-13, Amendment 39-19827 (85 FR 6744, 
February 6, 2020) (AD 2020-02-13).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN 
JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD 2023-0059, dated March 16, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0059).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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. The unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, 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 Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection 
Program, With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2020-02-13, with no changes. Within 90 days after March 12, 2020 
(the effective date of AD 2020-02-13), revise the existing 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information specified in Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, 
Revision 10, dated January 1, 2019, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 
20 Maintenance Manual. The initial compliance time for doing the 
tasks is at the time specified in Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness 
Limitations, Revision 10, dated January 1, 2019, of the Dassault 
Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual, or within 90 days after March 
12, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-02-13), whichever occurs 
later. Where the threshold column in the table in paragraph B, 
Mandatory Maintenance Operations, of Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness 
Limitations, Revision 10, dated January 1, 2019, of the Dassault 
Aviation Falcon 20 Maintenance Manual specifies a compliance time in 
years, those compliance times start from the date of issuance of the 
original airworthiness certificate or date of issuance of the 
original export certificate of airworthiness.

(h) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals With No 
Change

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 
2020-02-13, with no changes. Except as required by paragraph (i) of 
this AD, after the existing 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 AMOC in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD.

(i) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program

    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 2023-0059. Accomplishing the revision of 
the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this 
paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0059

    (1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2023-0059.
    (2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0059 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, 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 2023-0059 is at the applicable 
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the 
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0059, or within 90 
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in 
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0059.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2023-0059.

(k) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been 
revised as required by paragraph (i) of this AD, no alternative 
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless they 
are approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref. 
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2023-0059.

(l) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19.

[[Page 54503]]

In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal 
inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If 
sending information directly to the International Validation Branch, 
send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (m) 
of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (i) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (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, 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) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3226; email: 
[email protected].

(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.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0059, 
dated March 16, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 12, 2020 (85 FR 6744, February 6, 2020).
    (i) Chapter 5-40-01, Airworthiness Limitations, Revision 10, 
effective January 1, 2019, of the Dassault Aviation Falcon 20 
Maintenance Manual.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (4) For EASA AD 2023-0059, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA 
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (5) For Dassault 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; website 
dassaultfalcon.com.
    (6) You may view this service information 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.
    (7) 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, email [email protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on August 1, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-16871 Filed 8-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P