AD 98-13-15

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 200, Fan Jet Falcon, and Mystere-Falcon 20 series airplanes, that requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks at the attaching holes of the wing-to-fuselage fairings and to ensure tightness of the attaching screws; and repair of any discrepancy. This amendment also requires installation of cupwashers under the vertical seams of the upper fairings. 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 loss of the wing-to-fuselage upper fairings during flight, which could result in the fairings impacting the engines or tail sections, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Final rule

98-13-15 DASSAULT AVIATION: Amendment 39-10603. Docket 98-NM-25-AD.
Applicability: All Model Mystere-Falcon 200, Fan Jet Falcon, and Mystere-Falcon 20 series airplanes; certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 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 loss of the wing-to-fuselage upper fairings during flight, which could result in the fairings impacting the engines or tail sections, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 7 months or 330 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with Chapter 53-50-0, dated May 1996, of Fan Jet Falcon Dassault Aviation Maintenance Manual Phase 34, dated June 1997 (for Model Fan Jet Falcon and Mystere-Falcon 20 series airplanes); or Chapter 53, Procedure 731-3 of Mystere-Falcon 200 Dassault Aviation Maintenance Manual, Revision 12, dated April 30, 1996 (for Model Mystere-Falcon 200 series airplanes); as applicable.

(1) Perform an inspection to detect cracks at the attaching holes of the wing-to- fuselage fairings and to ensure tightness of the screws. If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, repair. If a repair is not specified in the applicable maintenance manual, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Thereafter, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 6 months or 300 flight hours, whichever occurs first.

(2) Install cupwashers under the vertical seams of the upper fairings.

(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. 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.(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.

NOTE 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in French airworthiness directives 96-092-021(B), dated April 24, 1996; and 96-246-022(B), dated November 6, 1996.

(d) This amendment becomes effective on July 23, 1998.

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 all Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 200, Fan Jet Falcon, and Mystere-Falcon 20 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 20, 1998 (63 FR 19427). That action proposed to require repetitive inspections to detect cracks at the attaching holes of the wing-to-fuselage fairings and to ensure tightness of the attaching screws; and repair of any discrepancy. That action also proposed to require installation of cupwashers under the vertical seams of the upper fairings.

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 239 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $28,680, or $120 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, 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: