DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2015-3629; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-011-AD;
Amendment 39-18662; AD 2016-19-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain
Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, FALCON
900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This AD was prompted
by a report of an in-flight lightning strike to the WHELEN anti-
collision light located on the top of the vertical fin tip that caused
severe damage and resulted in the loss of some airplane functions. This
AD requires modification of the anti-collision light bonding. We are
issuing this AD to prevent loss of electrical power and essential
airplane functions, and possible reduced control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective November 22, 2016.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 22,
2016.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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 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. It is also available on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2015-3629.
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-2015-
3629; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1139.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain
Dassault Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, FALCON
900EX, FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The SNPRM published in
the Federal Register on June 17, 2016 (81 FR 39597) (``the SNPRM''). We
preceded the SNPRM with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that
published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2015 (80 FR 57545)
(``the NPRM''). The NPRM proposed to require modification of the anti-
collision light bonding. The NPRM was prompted by a report of an in-
flight lightning strike to the WHELEN anti-collision light located on
the top of the vertical fin tip that caused severe damage and induced
the loss of some airplane functions. The SNPRM proposed to clarify the
applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of electrical
power and essential airplane functions, and possible reduced control of
the airplane.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2015-0006, dated January 15, 2015 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault
Aviation Model MYSTERE-FALCON 50, MYSTERE-FALCON 900, FALCON 900EX,
FALCON 2000, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The MCAI states:
An occurrence was reported where a Falcon 2000 aeroplane
experienced an in-flight lightning strike, which caused severe
damage and induced the loss of some aeroplane functions. The
investigation results revealed that the entering point of the
lightning was at the WHELEN anti-collision light located on the top
of the vertical fin tip.
When the lightning strike hit the anti-collision light, an
electric arc occurred between the aeroplane structure and the anti-
collision light and created a conductive path by which the lightning
current entered inside the aeroplane. Further analysis has
determined that the electrical bonding between the WHELEN anti-
collision light, Part Number (P/N) 01-0790044-09, and the fin tip
fairing or the No. 2 engine air intake cover is insufficient to
withstand a lightning strike.
In case of severe lightning, this condition, if not corrected,
could lead to an unsafe condition (loss of electrical power and/or
of essential functions) possibly resulting in reduced control of the
aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault Aviation
developed a modification (mod) to improve the WHELEN anti-collision
light bonding when the anti-collision light is located on top of the
vertical fin tip or on No. 2 engine air intake cover, and issued
several Service Bulletins (SB) to modify all affected aeroplanes in
service.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
modification of the anti-collision light bonding.
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-2015-3629.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination
of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
SNPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the SNPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed the following service information.
Dassault Service Bulletin F50-481, Revision 1 (also
referred to as 481-R1), dated January 26, 2015.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900-372, Revision 1 (also
referred to as 372-R1), dated January 26, 2015.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900-378, Revision 1 (also
referred to as 378-R1), dated January 26, 2015.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-285, Revision 1 (also
referred to as 285-R1), dated January 26, 2015.
Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-305, Revision 1 (also
referred to as 305-R1), dated January 26, 2015.
Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-337, Revision 1 (also
referred to as 337-R1), dated January 26, 2015.
Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-108, Revision 1 (also
referred to as 108-R1), dated January 26, 2015.
The service information describes procedures for modifying the
anti-collision light bonding. These documents are distinct since they
apply to different airplane models in different configurations. 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 778 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 12 work-hours per product
to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $801 per
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators to be $1,416,738, or $1,821 per product.
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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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