DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0532; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-203-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation 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
certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by a review showing that inadequate clearance may exist
between certain electrical wiring and nearby structures. This proposed
AD would require an inspection of certain electrical wiring bundles and
feeders, modifications, and corrective actions if necessary. We are
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: 202-493-2251.

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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Dassault
Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, South
Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.
dassaultfalcon.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0532;
or in person at the Docket Management Facility 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 800-647-5527) 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, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137;
fax 425-227-1149.

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-2017-0532;
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-203-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 Union, has issued EASA
Airworthiness Directive 2016-0230, dated November 21, 2016 (referred to
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or
"the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault
Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. The MCAI states:

A review of the wiring and tubing lay-out showed that there may
be low clearance between electrical wiring and nearby structure.
Although no in-service incident has been reported, the minimum
clearances could deteriorate over time.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
interference or contact with structure, provoking an electrical
short circuit or fluid leakage, possibly resulting in loss of
several functions essential for safe flight.

To initially address this potential unsafe condition, [Dassault
Aviation] DA developed some interim modifications (mod) addressing
the risk of short circuit and fluid leakage, and EASA issued AD
2010-0029 (later revised) [which corresponds to FAA AD 2011-14-04,
Amendment 39-16739 (76 FR 39256, July 6, 2011) ("AD 2011-14-04")]
to require embodiment of those modifications in-service.

Since EASA AD 2010-0029R1 was issued, DA developed another set
of modifications, available for in-service application through
Service Bulletin (SB) F7X-056, which are considered the final
solutions for this unsafe condition.

For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time [general visual] inspection [for worn or damaged wiring or
connectors due to inadequate clearance between wiring and nearby
structures] of the affected electrical wiring and, depending on
findings, corrective action(s) and modification of the aeroplane.

Corrective actions include modifying the clamping and routing;
adding new brackets, clamps, and cable protections; replacing damaged
parts; and improving connections using lock wires. You may examine the
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0532.

Related Rulemaking

AD 2011-14-04 requires inspections for damage to wiring bundles and
feeders; and, if necessary, repairs, modifications, and installation of
a hydraulic pipe. These actions were considered interim actions to
ensure that the minimum required clearance and adequate protection
existed among the hydraulic pipe, electrical wiring, and the airplane
structure. This proposed AD would require additional inspections and
modifications that differ from those in AD 2011-14-04.

This proposed AD would not terminate any action in AD 2011-14-04;
rather, both AD actions are necessary to adequately address the unsafe
condition.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Dassault Service Bulletin 7X-056, Revision 1, dated
July 20, 2016. This service information describes a one-time inspection
of certain wiring bundles and feeders, and corrective actions. This
service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD affects 51 airplanes of U.S.
registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs

We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed
AD.

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);

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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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 airworthiness
directive (AD):