Document ID: FAA-2014-0657-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-11-17T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 221 (Monday, November 17, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68392-68394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-27068]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0657; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-058-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000, FALCON 2000EX, MYSTERE-
FALCON 900, and FALCON 900EX airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted 
by reports of a co-pilot sliding aft on his seat during take-off at 
rotation. This proposed AD would require replacement of certain springs 
installed on the pilot and co-pilot seats. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent fatigue

[[Page 68393]]

wear, which, if not corrected, could cause the seat to slide and the 
pilot or co-pilot to lose contact with the controls, leading to an 
inadvertent input on the flight control commands during take-off or 
climb, possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 2, 2015.

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 http://www.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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; 
telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0657; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Operations office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0657; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-058-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2014-0061, dated March 11, 2014 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault 
Aviation Model FALCON 2000, FALCON 2000EX, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, and 
FALCON 900EX airplanes. The MCAI states:

    During take-off at rotation, a co-pilot reported to slide aft on 
his seat.
    The results of the investigations concluded that one spring of 
the seat locking system was broken and the other was weak. The root 
cause was determined to be fatigue wear. As springs accumulate 
cycles in service, they become increasingly exposed to the risk of 
unnoticed degradation or rupture.
    This condition, if not corrected, could cause the pilot or the 
co-pilot to lose contact with the controls, leading to an 
inadvertent input on the flight control commands during take-off or 
climb, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, it was decided to require 
replacement of the affected seat springs for older aeroplanes and 
for newer aeroplanes; this task has been embodied in the aeroplane 
maintenance manual.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
replacement of the springs installed on the pilot and co-pilot seats 
with serviceable springs.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0657.

Relevant Service Information

    Dassault Aviation has issued the following service bulletins. The 
actions described in this service information are intended to correct 
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.
     Dassault Service Bulletin F900-429, Revision 1, also 
referred to as 429-R1, dated July 13, 2012.
     Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-446, Revision 1, also 
referred to as 446-R1, dated July 13, 2012.
     Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-401, Revision 1, also 
referred to as 401-R1, dated July 13, 2012.
     Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-267, Revision 1, also 
referred to as 267-R1, dated July 13, 2012.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these 
same type designs.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    Although the MCAI does not require repetitive replacement of the 
pilot seat springs, this AD requires repetitive replacement of the 
pilot seat springs at intervals not to exceed 78 months or 3,750 flight 
cycles, whichever occurs first. This difference has been coordinated 
with EASA. Also, we have been advised that EASA plans to revise the 
MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 528 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product 
to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $83 
per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 
proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $133,584, or $253 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

[[Page 68394]]

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 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 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2014-0657; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-058-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 2, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, equipped with SICMA 132-series or 142-series pilot and co-
pilot seats.
    (1) Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 airplanes
    (2) Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes
    (3) Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 900 airplanes
    (4) Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 900EX airplanes

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of a co-pilot sliding aft on his 
seat during take-off at rotation. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
fatigue wear, which, if not corrected, could cause the seat to slide 
and the pilot or co-pilot to lose contact with the controls, leading 
to an inadvertent input on the flight control commands during take-
off or climb, possibly resulting in loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    For airplanes that have accumulated more than 3,750 total flight 
cycles or have exceeded 74 months since the airplane's first flight 
as of the effective date of this AD. Within 9 months after the 
effective date of this AD, replace each spring having part number 
(P/N) 132100-19 and P/N 147100-19 installed on the pilot and co-
pilot seats with a spring as specified in, and in accordance with, 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service information 
identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), or (g)(4) of this 
AD, as applicable. Repeat the replacement thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 78 months or 3,750 flight cycles, whichever occurs 
first.
    (1) Dassault Service Bulletin F900-429, Revision 1, also 
referred to as 429-R1, dated July 13, 2012.
    (2) Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-446, Revision 1, also 
referred to as 446-R1, dated July 13, 2012.
    (3) Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-401, Revision 1, also 
referred to as 401-R1, dated July 13, 2012.
    (4) Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-267, Revision 1, also 
referred to as 267-R1, dated July 13, 2012.

(h) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, installation of a spring 
having P/N 147100-19 on any airplane is allowed, provided that the 
spring is new.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 International Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom 
Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 
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. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Dassault Aviation's EASA 
Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2014-
0061, dated March 11, 2014, for related information. This MCAI may 
be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2014-0657.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; 
telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You 
may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 5, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-27068 Filed 11-14-14; 8:45 am]
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