DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0532; Product Identifier 2016-NM-203-AD; Amendment
39-19060; AD 2017-20-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a
review showing that inadequate clearance may exist between certain
electrical wiring and nearby structures. This AD requires an inspection
of certain electrical wiring bundles and feeders, modifications, and
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 6, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 6,
2017.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
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 Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue
SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2017-0532.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer,
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 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 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Dassault Aviation
Model FALCON 7X airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on June 12, 2017 (82 FR 26867) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM was prompted by
a review showing that inadequate clearance may exist between certain
electrical wiring and nearby structures. The NPRM proposed to require
an inspection of certain electrical wiring bundles and feeders,
modifications, and corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this
AD to detect and correct inadequate clearances between electrical
wiring and nearby structures, which could lead to interference or
contact with a structure and cause an electrical short circuit or fluid
leakage. This could result in the loss of several functions essential
for safe flight.
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.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Dassault Aviation has issued Service Bulletin 7X-056, Revision 1,
dated July 20, 2016. This service information describes procedures for
an inspection of certain electrical wiring (wiring bundles and
feeders), corrective actions, and modification of the airplane. 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 51 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

We have received no definitive data that will enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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.

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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):