DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0496; Product Identifier 2018-NM-031-AD; Amendment
39-19414; AD 2018-19-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000 and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This
AD was prompted by reports of metallic debris found in the wing slat
piccolo tubes; investigation revealed that the debris originated from
the flow guide of the ball joint of the wing anti-ice valve. This AD
requires repetitive inspections for metallic debris and damage of the
flow guide of the ball joint of the wing anti-ice valve, and related
investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective November 1, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 1,
2018.
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 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. It is also available on the internet at http://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0496.
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-
0496; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South
216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Dassault Aviation
Model FALCON 2000 and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on June 1, 2018 (83 FR 25417). The NPRM was
prompted by reports of metallic debris found in the wing slat piccolo
tubes; investigation revealed that the debris originated from the flow
guide of the ball joint of the wing anti-ice valve. The NPRM proposed
to require repetitive inspections for metallic debris and damage of the
flow guide of the ball joint of the wing anti-ice valve, and related
investigative and corrective actions if necessary.
We are issuing this AD to address restricted airflow of the piccolo
tubes, leading to insufficient wing anti-ice capability and significant
undetected ice accretion on the wing, which could result in loss of
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 2018-0022, dated January 29, 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 and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The MCAI
states:
Occurrences were reported on Falcon 2000 and Falcon 2000EX
aeroplanes, where metallic debris was found in slat piccolo tubes.
The technical investigation revealed that debris originated from the
flow guide of the ball joint located downstream of the wing anti-ice
valve. It was also determined that small debris gathers at the end
of the piccolo tube, but larger pieces of debris may stop before, in
the distribution piping, restricting the airflow and potentially
leading to undetected insufficient wing anti-ice capability.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
undetected significant ice accretion on the wing, possibly resulting
in loss of control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Dassault Aviation
issued Service Bulletin (SB) F2000EX-413 for Falcon 2000EX and SB
F2000-441 for Falcon 2000, providing applicable instructions.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive [detailed] inspections [for discrepancies including
cracks and loss of material] of the affected ball joint and,
depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable [related
investigative and] corrective actions * * *.
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-
0496.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM 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 final rule as proposed,
except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor
changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Dassault Aviation has issued Service Bulletins F2000-441, dated
June 20, 2017; and F2000EX-413, dated July 10, 2017. This service
information describes procedures for repetitive inspections for
metallic debris and damage of the flow guide of the ball joint located
downstream of the wing anti-ice valve. This service information also
describes procedures for replacing the ball joint and pipe, and
performing borescope inspections of damaged wing anti-ice pipes and
removal of any debris from the flow guide. These documents are distinct
since they apply to different airplane models. 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 348 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S. operators
|
6 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$510 |
$0
|
$510
|
$177,480
|
We have received no definitive data
that enables us to provide cost
estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
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 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 and
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
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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