[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50537-50539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-21609]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0809; Product Identifier 2018-NM-092-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 
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 airplanes. This proposed AD 
was prompted by a report of chafing of a wire bundle located at the 
bottom of the right hand electrical cabinet. This proposed AD would 
require a one-time general visual inspection of the wiring bundle for 
damage, measurement of the clearance between the metallic plate and the 
wiring bundle, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 23, 
2018.

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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For 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; internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.

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-2018-
0809; 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 regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 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 Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2018-0809; 
Product Identifier 2018-NM-092-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM because 
of 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2018-0114, dated May 23, 2018, (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 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    One Falcon 2000 aeroplane experienced some chafing of a wire 
bundle located at the bottom of the right-hand (RH) electrical 
cabinet (between Frames 4 and 5). The wire loom interfered with a 
metallic (ground) plate of terminal strip 700J and at least 12 wires 
were damaged. This wire loom includes 250 wires and in case of 
chafing, any wire may be damaged.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
improper functioning of aeroplane systems [such as loss of wing 
anti-icing or wing anti-icing inoperative indication, loss of normal 
braking indication, and loss of ``No take-off'' indication], 
possibly resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault developed a 
modification M3889 to improve the clearance between the metallic 
plate and the wire loom, and published the SB [Dassault Aviation 
Service Bulletin F2000-436] to inspect and modify aeroplanes in 
service.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the wiring bundle for interference or damage, 
measurement of the clearance between the metallic plate and the 
wiring bundle, and depending on findings, modification of the 
aeroplane by cutting out the lower part of the ground plate of 
terminal strip 700J and adding an edge protection to prevent 
interference. Aeroplanes that do not have a metallic plate installed 
are not affected by this [EASA] AD.

    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-2018-
0809.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Dassault Aviation has issued Service Bulletin F2000-436, dated 
September 28, 2017. This service information

[[Page 50538]]

describes procedures for a one-time general visual inspection of the 
wiring bundle for damage (including chafing), measurement of the 
clearance between the metallic plate and the wiring bundle, and 
corrective actions. Corrective actions include modification of the 
airplane by cutting out the lower part of the ground plate of terminal 
strip 700J and adding an edge protection to prevent interference and 
replacement of damaged wires. This service information 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.

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 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 the relevant information and determined the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Proposed Requirements of This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 195 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $340...........................              $0             $340          $66,300
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    We estimate the following costs to do the necessary on-condition 
action that would be required based on the results of any required 
actions. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need this on-condition action:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                  Parts cost *       product
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170....              $0             $170
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* We have received no definitive data for the parts cost for the on-
  condition actions.

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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight 
Division.

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2018-0809; Product Identifier 
2018-NM-092-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 23, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 50539]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000, 
certificated in any category, manufacturer serial numbers 70 through 
231 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of chafing of a wire bundle 
located at the bottom of the right hand (RH) electrical cabinet. We 
are issuing this AD to address such chafing, which may cause damage 
to wires within the bundle, and, if not detected and corrected, 
could lead to improper functioning of airplane systems (such as loss 
of wing anti-icing or wing anti-icing inoperative indication, loss 
of normal braking indication, and loss of ``No take-off'' 
indication), which could result in reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 25 months after the effective date of this AD, for 
airplanes equipped with a metallic plate at the bottom of the RH 
electrical cabinet, do the following actions as specified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Perform a general visual inspection of the wiring bundle for 
damage (including chafing), in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F2000-436, dated 
September 28, 2017.
    (2) Measure the clearance between the metallic plate and the 
wire bundle at the bottom of the RH electrical cabinet in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Aviation Service 
Bulletin F2000-436, dated September 28, 2017.

(h) Corrective Action

    (1) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, any damage is found, before further flight, replace all 
damaged wires using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, 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.
    (2) If, during the measurement as required by paragraph (g)(2) 
of this AD, the detected clearance is less than the criteria as 
specified in Dassault Aviation Service Bulletin F2000-436, dated 
September 28, 2017, before further flight, modify the metallic plate 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault 
Aviation Service Bulletin F2000-436, dated September 28, 2017.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards 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 International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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.
    (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 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Dassault 
Aviation's EASA 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) EASA AD 2018-0114, dated May 23, 2018, 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-2018-0809.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3226.
    (3) For 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; internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, 
WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 206-231-3195.

    Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on September 26, 2018.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-21609 Filed 10-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


