[Federal Register: December 20, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 244)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 72273-72274]
[DOCID:fr20de07-17]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0369; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-258-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:

    Some occurrences have been reported where life rafts were
difficult to remove from inside divan compartment. Investigations
revealed that:

--Life raft was incorrectly stowed, with deployment straps inboard;
--Life raft had not been repacked to specified dimensions.
* * * * * * *
    The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 22,
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
 Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; or in person at the Docket Operations office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Operations office (telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>) is
in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425)
227-1137; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0369;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-258-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We

will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2006-0366, dated December 11, 2006 (referred to
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Some occurrences have been reported where life rafts were
difficult to remove from inside divan compartment. Investigations
revealed that:

--Life raft was incorrectly stowed, with deployment straps inboard;
--Life raft had not been repacked to specified dimensions

    The purpose of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) is to verify
that all life rafts are stowed correctly with deployment straps
outboard, and are repacked to specified dimensions.

Corrective actions include correctly reinstalling an incorrectly stowed
life raft, installing a properly repacked life raft, and installing
placards. You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in
the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Dassault has issued Service Bulletin F50-480, dated December 5,
2006. The actions described in this service information are intended to
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD
would affect about 25 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $68 per product. Where the
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs.
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to
be $3,700, or $148 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
    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); 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 AD:

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2007-0369; Directorate Identifier
2007-NM-258-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by January 22, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Dassault Model Mystere-Falcon 50
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 294, 299,
301 through 304, 306, 307, 310, 313, 314, 316 through 320, 322
through 331, 334 through 337 and 339.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25:
Equipment/Furnishings.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:

    Some occurrences have been reported where life rafts were
difficult to remove from inside divan compartment. Investigations
revealed that:

--Life raft was incorrectly stowed, with deployment straps inboard;
--Life raft had not been repacked to specified dimensions

    The purpose of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) is to verify
that all life rafts are stowed correctly with deployment straps
outboard, and are repacked to specified dimensions.

Corrective actions include correctly reinstalling an incorrectly
stowed life raft, installing a properly repacked life raft, and
installing placards.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Within 10 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD:
Verify that the life rafts are stowed correctly, with deployment
straps outboard, in accordance with the instructions specified in
Dassault Service Bulletin F50-480, dated December 5, 2006, and
verify that the overall dimensions of the life raft hard pack do not
exceed nominal values, as indicated in Part F50-480-1 of the service
bulletin.
    (i) If a life raft is found incorrectly stowed, before next
flight, reinstall it in accordance with the instructions specified
in Part F50-480-1 of the service bulletin.
    (ii) If nominal values of the overall dimensions of the life
raft hard pack are exceeded, within 3 months after the effective
date of this AD, install a properly repacked life raft as instructed
in Part F50-480-2 of the service bulletin.

    Note 1: Notice that with no life raft aboard, local national
operating regulations may not allow some extended overwater flights.

    (2) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD: Install
placards on the sofa in accordance with the instructions specified
in Part F50-480-2 of Dassault Service Bulletin F50-480, dated
December 5, 2006.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows:
    No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Tom
Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116,
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax<PHONE_NUMBER>.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information
collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA Airworthiness Directive 2006-0366, dated
December 11, 2006, and Dassault Service Bulletin F50-480, dated
December 5, 2006, for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 12, 2007.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-24698 Filed 12-19-07; 8:45 am]

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