AD 2004-01-05

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1504-1505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 04-126]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-231-AD; Amendment 39-13419; AD 2004-01-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000 and 900EX, 
and Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900 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 and 900EX, and 
Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes. This AD requires 
measuring the paint thickness on the upper and lower surfaces of the 
left and right sides of the horizontal stabilizer, performing 
corrective actions if necessary, and installing maintenance caution 
placards on the upper surface of the left and right sides of the 
horizontal stabilizer. This action is necessary to prevent structural 
damage to the horizontal stabilizer after a direct lightning strike, 
which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Dassault Falcon Jet, 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: 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: 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 
and 900EX, and Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on November 13, 2003 (68 FR 64286). 
That action proposed to require measuring the paint thickness on the 
upper and lower surfaces of the left and right sides of the horizontal 
stabilizer, performing corrective actions if necessary, and installing 
maintenance caution placards on the upper surface of the left and right 
sides of the horizontal stabilizer.

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

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    We estimate that 29 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by 
this AD.
    It will take approximately 16 work hours per airplane to measure 
the paint thickness, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators for measuring 
the paint thickness is estimated to be $30,160, or $1,040 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour, to install the placards. Required 
parts will be provided to operators at no cost. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact on U.S. operators for the installation of the placards 
is estimated to be $5,655, or $195 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 those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up,

[[Page 1505]]

planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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

0
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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-01-05 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-13419. Docket 2002-NM-
231-AD.

    Applicability: Model Mystere-Falcon 900 series airplanes, as 
listed in Dassault Service Bulletin F900-291, dated February 20, 
2002; Model Falcon 900EX series airplanes, as listed in Dassault 
Service Bulletin F900EX-155, dated February 20, 2002; and Model 
Falcon 2000 series airplanes, as listed in Dassault Service Bulletin 
F2000-234, dated February 20, 2002; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent structural damage to the horizontal stabilizer after 
a direct lightning strike, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Measurement of Paint Thickness and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 7 months after the effective date of this AD: Measure 
the thickness of the paint on the upper and lower surfaces of the 
left and right sides of the horizontal stabilizer in accordance with 
all of the actions specified in paragraphs 2.A. through 2.D. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F900-291, 
dated February 20, 2002; Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-155, dated 
February 20, 2002; or Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-234, dated 
February 20, 2002; as applicable. Any necessary corrective action 
must be done before further flight in accordance with the applicable 
service bulletin.

Installation of Placards

    (b) After accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD, before further flight, install placards on the upper 
surface of the left and right sides of the horizontal stabilizer in 
accordance with paragraph 2.E. of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Dassault Service Bulletin F900-291, dated February 20, 2002; 
Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-155, dated February 20, 2002; or 
Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-234, dated February 20, 2002; as 
applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized 
to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Dassault 
Service Bulletin F900-291, dated February 20, 2002; Dassault Service 
Bulletin F900EX-155, dated February 20, 2002; or Dassault Service 
Bulletin F2000-234, dated February 20, 2002; as applicable. 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, 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 1: The subject of this AD is addressed in French 
airworthiness directive 2002-089(B), dated March 2, 2002.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 13, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 29, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-126 Filed 1-8-04; 8:45 am]
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