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AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD)
for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. That AD
currently requires revising the Abnormal Procedures and Limitations
sections of the Dassault F7X Airplane Flight Manual. This new AD
requires a test of the power distribution control units (PDCU) cards
and generator control units (GCU) cards to detect faulty components,
and if any faulty components are found, replacing any affected PDCU or
GCU card. This AD was prompted by a determination that additional
actions are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct a leakage failure mode of
transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes used on PDCU cards or GCU
cards in the primary power distribution boxes (PPDB), which, in
combination with other system failures, could lead to loss of
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 30, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.
regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
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 (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2012 (77
FR 15293), and proposed to supersede AD AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-
16416 (75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010).
On August 11, 2010, we issued AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-16416 (75
FR 51931, August 24, 2010). That AD required actions intended to
address an unsafe condition on certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON
7X airplanes. The preamble of AD 2010-18-03 explains that we consider
the requirements of that AD ``interim action'' and are considering
further rulemaking to mandate inspection (testing) of the PDCU and GCU
cards and replacement of faulty cards, as required by European Aviation
Safety Agency AD 2010-0073, dated April 15,
2010. The planned compliance time for those actions would allow enough
time for prior public comment on the merits of those actions. This
proposed AD follows from that determination.
The unsafe condition is a leakage failure mode of TVS diodes used
on PDCU or GCU cards in the PPDB, which, in combination with other
system failures, could lead to loss of controllability of the airplane.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 15293, March 15,
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect about 9 products of U.S.
registry.
The actions that are required by AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-16416
(75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010), and retained in this AD take about 4
work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour.
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently required
actions is $340 per product.
We estimate that it would take about 4 work-hours per product to
comply with the new basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate
the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $3,060, or $340 per
product.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD. We
have no way of determining the number of products that may need these
actions.
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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
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);
3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
4. 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket.
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 the NPRM (75 FR 51931, August 24,
2010), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 removing airworthiness AD 2010-18-03,
Amendment 39-16416 (75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010), and adding the
following new AD:
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