AD 99-21-20

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Dassault Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, that requires a detailed inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment also requires modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by issuance of mandatory continuing airworthiness information by a foreign civil airworthiness authority. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks during ground maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of an engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and persons or property on the ground.

Final rule

99-21-20 DASSAULT AVIATION: Amendment 39-11365. Docket 98-NM-377-AD.
Applicability: Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes, serial numbers 2 through 72 inclusive, except those airplanes on which modification M1486 (reference Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, dated July 29, 1998, or Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998) has been accomplished; certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent unintended disengagement of the engine cowl hooks during ground maintenance, which could result in in-flight loss of the engine cowl from the airplane and possible damage to the airplane and persons or property on the ground, accomplish the following: Corrective Actions

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998.

(1) Perform a detailed visual inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls. If the clearance is outside the limits specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, trim the edges of the upper cowl slots.

(2) Modify the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks.

(3) Perform a detailed visual inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls. If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, perform the applicable corrective action specified in the service bulletin.

NOTE 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: "An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required." Alternative Methods of Compliance

(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116. Special Flight Permits

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Incorporation by Reference

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F2000-133, Revision 1, dated October 7, 1998. 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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directive 98-391-006(B), dated October 7, 1998.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 17, 1999.

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 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 12, 1999 (64 FR 43961). That action proposed to require a detailed inspection for interference between the safety-lock hooks and upper cowls, and corrective action, if necessary. That action also proposed to require modification of the attachment supports of the inner locking hooks; and a detailed inspection of the safety-lock hooks on the lower engine cowl for proper operation and for clearance between the outer edges of the upper and lower cowls; and corrective actions, if necessary.

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
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 39 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspections and modification, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $9 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,371, or $189 per airplane.

The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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
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
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: