AD 2005-04-15 Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Model Falcon 2000EX and 900EX Series Airplanes

Models named: Falcon 2000EX series, Falcon 900EX series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Dassault Model Falcon 2000EX series airplanes with serial numbers 6, 28 and subsequent; and Model Falcon 900EX series airplanes with serial numbers 97, 120 and subsequent; certificated in any category.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inoperative Equipment Restrictions (f) As of the effective date of this AD, dispatch is prohibited with any of the equipment specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD inoperative. When the actions required in paragraph (i) of this AD are accomplished, dispatch with any of the equipment specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), and (f)(4) inoperative is allowed in accordance with the provisions and limitations specified in the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL). Note 1: The MMELs currently allow flight/dispatch with any or all of the equipment specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), (f)(3), and (f)(4) inoperative under certain conditions. This AD supersedes the MMEL or the approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for any operator. Paragraph (i) of this AD provides the required terminating action for the dispatch restrictions. (1) Dispatch with Secondary flight display system inoperative, as allowed in section 34-2, item 5, of the Dassault F2000EX MMEL or the Dassault F900EX MMEL, as applicable, is prohibited. (2) Dispatch with Non-stabilized magnetic (standby) compass inoperative, as allowed in section 34-2, item 6, of the Dassault F2000EX MMEL or the Dassault F900EX MMEL, as applicable, is prohibited. (3) Dispatch with UP-DN manual regulator in pressurized flight inoperative, as allowed in section 21-5, item 2, of the Dassault F2000EX MMEL; or in section 21-5, item 3, of the Dassault F900EX MMEL; as applicable; is prohibited. (4) Dispatch with Digital electronic engine computers (automatic mode) inoperative, as allowed in section 73-1, item 1, sub-item 1, of the Dassault F900EX MMEL is prohibited. Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision (g) Within 72 hours after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations section of the AFM as required in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable. (1) Revise Dassault Falcon F2000EX AFM, DGT88898, by inserting a copy of Dassault Temporary Change (TC) 12, dated January 26, 2005. (2) Revise Dassault Falcon 900EX AFM, DGT84972, by inserting a copy of Dassault TC 14, dated January 12, 2005. Inspection (h) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, do an inspection to check the integrity of the avionics systems communication bus (ASCB) for any faults, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-58, dated January 10, 2005; or Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-256, dated January 10, 2005; as applicable. If any fault is found during the inspection, before further flight, repair the ASCB in accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (or its delegated agent). Terminating Action (i) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, install an avionics software update to the Honeywell Primus Epic system in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-59, dated February 2, 2005; or Dassault Service Bulletin F900FX-254, dated February 2, 2005; as applicable. Doing this software update ends the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD, and the dispatch restrictions and AFM revisions required by paragraphs (f) and (g) of this AD may be removed. No Reporting Requirement (j) Although the service bulletins referenced in this AD specify to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Related Information (l) French emergency airworthiness directives UF-2005-024, dated January 27, 2005; and UF-2005-025, dated January 27, 2005; also address the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (m) You must use the service information that is specified in Table 1 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (Only the title and List of Temporary Changes pages of Dassault Temporary Changes 12 and 14 contain the document issue date; no other page of these documents contain this information.) The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of those documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service information, contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606. You can review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Table 1.—Material Incorporated by Reference Service information Date Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-58 January 10, 2005. Dassault Service Bulletin F2000EX-59 February 2, 2005. Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-254 February 2, 2005. Dassault Service Bulletin F900EX-256 January 10, 2005. Dassault Falcon 2000EX Temporary Change 12 January 26, 2005. Dassault Falcon 900EX Temporary Change 14 January 12, 2005. Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 14, 2005. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-3559 Filed 2-28-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by a report that an analysis and tests of the Honeywell Primus Epic systems installed on Model Falcon 2000EX and 900EX series airplanes revealed that all information displayed on the cockpit display units could become invalid during flight. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent a loss of data from all four of the cockpit display units, and loss of all radio communications (with the exception of VHF emergency frequency and last frequency used), primary navigation instruments, autopilot, auto-throttle, central alerting system, aural alarms, and normal braking (on Model Falcon 2000EX series airplanes only). These losses could reduce the flightcrew's situational awareness, increase flightcrew workload, and consequently reduce the ability to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane.