Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13974 · Dassault Model Falcon 10 Series Airplanes
Dassault Model Falcon 10 Series Airplanes
This AD applies to all Dassault Model Falcon 10 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Model Falcon 10 series airplanes. This AD requires a temporary change to the airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide procedures to the flightcrew for touchdown using the main landing gear to avoid a three- point landing. This AD also requires repetitive inspections of the piston rod of the drag strut actuator of the nose landing gear (NLG) for cracks, which would terminate the AFM revision, and corrective actions if necessary. In addition, this AD provides for a terminating modification, which would end the repetitive inspections. This AD is prompted by reports of failure of the piston rod of the drag strut actuator of the NLG. The cause of such failure has been attributed to fatigue cracking caused by corrosion in the piston rod of the drag strut actuator. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracking and/or fracture of the piston rod of the drag strut actuator of the NLG, which could result in a gear-up landing, structural damage, and possible injury to passengers and crew.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the Limitations Section of the Falcon 10 AFM by incorporating Dassault Temporary Change (TC) 24, dated March 1, 2002, into the AFM. That TC provides procedures to the flightcrew for touchdown using the main landing gear to avoid a three-point landing. Thereafter, operate the airplane in accordance with the limitations specified in the AFM revision.
(g) When the information in TC 24 has been included in general revisions of the AFM, the TC may be removed from the AFM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in TC 24.
Within 7 months after the effective date of this AD: Do an ultrasonic inspection of the piston rod of the drag strut actuator of the NLG for cracks in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F10-294, dated March 20, 2002. After the initial inspection has been done, the TC required by paragraph (f) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
(1) If any crack is found: Before further flight, replace the cracked drag strut actuator with an airworthy part having the same part number, or do the terminating modification specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(2) If no crack is found: Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 700 landings on the drag strut actuator.
(i) Accomplishment of the modification of the drag strut actuator in accordance with Dassault Service Bulletin F10-297, dated October 1, 2003, and prior or concurrent accomplishment of the related modification in accordance with Messier-Hispano-Bugatti Falcon 10 Service Bulletin 511-32-26, dated November 9, 1979, ends the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD.
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 747721-32-057, dated February 5, 2003, is referenced in Dassault Service Bulletin F10-294 as an additional source of service information for replacing the drag strut actuator rod.
Dassault Service Bulletin F10-294 recommends returning the drag strut actuator to the component repair agent for replacement if a crack is found, but this AD requires doing the terminating modification specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(l) Dassault Service Bulletins F10-294 and F10-297 recommend submitting certain inspection results to the manufacturer. This AD does not require those actions.
