Summary
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Model Falcon 10 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require a temporary change to the airplane flight manual to provide procedures to the flight crew for touchdown using the main landing gear to avoid a three-point landing. This proposed AD also would require 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 proposed AD provides for a terminating modification, which would end the repetitive inspections. This proposed 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 proposing this AD to prevent cracking and/or fracture of the piston rod of the drag strut actuatorof the NLG, which could result in a gear-up landing, structural damage, and possible injury to passengers and crew.