[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13668-13669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6156]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-319-AD; Amendment 39-11630; AD 2000-05-20]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Fan Jet Falcon Series
Airplanes; Model Mystere-Falcon 20, 50, 200, and 900 Series Airplanes;
and Model Falcon 10, 900EX, and 2000 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 Fan Jet Falcon series airplanes;
Model Mystere-Falcon 20, 50, 200, and 900 series airplanes; and Model
Falcon 10, 900EX, and 2000 series airplanes, that requires a functional
test of the passenger oxygen masks, determination of the part number of
the installed oxygen mask bags; and corrective action, 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 ensure that proper
plastic bags of the passenger oxygen masks are installed, and that the
masks are functioning properly. Improper plastic bags that have cracks
or improperly functioning masks could result in insufficient oxygen to
passengers in the event of rapid depressurization of the airplane.
EFFECTIVE DATE: April 18, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane
Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Norman B. Martenson, Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2110; 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 Fan Jet
Falcon series airplanes; Model Mystere-Falcon 20, 50, 200, and 900
series airplanes; and Model Falcon 10, 900EX, and 2000 series airplanes
was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1999 (64 FR
68963). That action proposed to require a functional test of the
passenger oxygen masks, determination of the part number of the
installed oxygen mask bags; and corrective action, 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 this AD 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 as many as 767 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the required test and determination,
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
$184,080, or $240 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 will accomplish those
[[Page 13669]]
actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
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, 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
2000-05-20 Dassault Aviation [Formerly Avions Marcel Dassault-
Breguet Aviation (AMD/BA)]: Amendment 39-11630. Docket 99-NM-319-AD.
Applicability: Model Fan Jet Falcon airplanes, Model Mystere-
Falcon 20, 50, 200, and 900 series airplanes, and Model Falcon 10,
900EX, and 2000 series airplanes; equipped with EROS passenger
oxygen masks, part number (P/N) MW 37-09, MW 37-11, MW 37-14, MW 37-
18, MW 37-28, MW 37-31, or MW 37-36; 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 (e) 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 ensure that proper plastic bags of the passenger oxygen masks
are installed, and that the masks are functioning properly,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 10 flights after the effective date of this AD,
perform a functional test of the passenger oxygen masks in
accordance with Chapter 5 (ATA Code 35) of the airplane maintenance
manual (AMM) for the affected airplanes, as applicable; and
determine the P/N of the installed oxygen mask bags.
Corrective Actions
(b) If any Scott oxygen mask bag, P/N 289-801-235, is installed,
prior to further flight, accomplish either paragraph (b)(1) or
(b)(2) of this AD.
(1) Replace the bag with a new bag, P/N 289-601-235, in
accordance with Chapter 5 (ATA Code 35) of the AMM for the affected
airplanes, as applicable.
(2) Render any affected seat inoperative, and within 30 days
after rendering the affected seat inoperative, accomplish the action
specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this AD.
(c) If any discrepancy is detected during the functional test
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight,
repair the discrepancy in accordance with Chapter 5 (ATA Code 35) of
the AMM for the affected airplanes, as applicable.
Spares
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a SCOTT oxygen mask bag, P/N 289-801-235, on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) 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 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.
Special Flight Permits
(f) 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 1999-270-025(B), dated June 30, 1999 (for
Model Jet Falcon series airplanes, and Model Mystere-Falcon 20 and
200 series airplanes); 1999-271-026(B), dated June 30, 1999 (for
Model Mystere-Falcon 50 and 900 series airplanes, and Model Falcon
900EX series airplanes); 1999-267-010(B), dated June 30, 1999 (for
Model Falcon 2000 series airplanes); and 1999-269-024(B), dated June
30, 1999 (for Model Falcon 10 series airplanes).
(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 18, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6156 Filed 3-13-00; 8:45 am]
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