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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-0390; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00968-T;
Amendment 39-22082; AD 2022-12-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a
report of a weak point identified in the Falcon 7X `EASy' avionics
architecture, which, coupled with theoretical generic input/output (I/
O) card failure, could lead to misleading data on display units. This
AD requires revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to
provide emergency procedures for inconsistent or unreliable flight data
and emergency and abnormal operations procedures for the GEN I/O
internal module failure, and revising the operator's existing FAA-
approved minimum equipment list (MEL) items for the multi-function
probe heating, air data, and inertial reference systems, as specified
in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is
incorporated by reference. This AD also requires revising the existing
AFM to incorporate additional information in the emergency procedures.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.
DATES: This AD is effective September 1, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 1,
2022.
ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this
AD,
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone
+49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; internet
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. You may view this material at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available in the AD
docket at www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2022-0390.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0390; or in person at Docket
Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is 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,
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3226; email
Tom.Rodriguez@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2021-0197, dated August 23, 2021
(EASA AD 2021-0197) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an
unsafe condition for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes.
The FAA notes that Model FALCON 7X airplanes with Dassault modification
M1000 incorporated are commonly referred to as ``Model FALCON 8X'' as
a
marketing designation.
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Dassault Aviation
Model FALCON 7X airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on April 5, 2022 (87 FR 19653). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a
weak point identified in the Falcon 7X `EASy' avionics architecture,
which, coupled with theoretical generic I/O card failure, could lead to
misleading data on display units. The NPRM proposed to require revising
the existing AFM to provide emergency procedures for inconsistent or
unreliable flight data and emergency and abnormal operations procedures
for the GEN I/O internal module failure, and revising the operator's
existing FAA-approved MEL items for the multi-function probe heating,
air data, and inertial reference systems, as specified in EASA AD 2021-
0197. The NPRM also proposed to require revising the existing AFM to
incorporate additional information in the emergency procedures.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address misleading data on display
units, which could reduce safety margins and lead to increased pilot
workload, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. See
the MCAI for additional background information.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Change to the Applicability
The FAA has revised paragraph (c) of this AD to exclude airplanes
having Dassault modification M2091 embodied in production from the
applicability because those airplanes are not affected by the
identified unsafe condition. Modification M2091 upgrades the airplane
avionics to the ``EASY III--4th CERT'' standard that improves the
Falcon 7X EASy avionics architecture. This change to the applicability
corresponds to EASA AD 2022-0145, dated July 12, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-
0145), which supersedes EASA AD 2021-0197. EASA AD 2022-0145 also
requires an additional modification for certain airplanes. The FAA is
considering further rulemaking to mandate the new modification
specified in EASA AD 2022-0145.
The FAA has also added Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD to
explain that Model FALCON 7X airplanes with
Dassault modification M1000 incorporated are commonly referred to as
``Model FALCON 8X'' as a marketing designation.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed with the changes described
previously. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic
burden on any operator. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2021-0197 specifies procedures for revising the existing
AFM to provide emergency procedures for inconsistent or unreliable
flight data and emergency and abnormal operations procedures for the
GEN I/O internal module failure, revising the operator's existing MEL
for the air data and inertial reference systems, and revising the
operating suitability manual. This material 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.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this AD interim action. If final action is later
identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 121 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Labor cost
|
Parts cost
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Cost per
product
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Cost on
U.S. operators
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| 2 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$170 |
$0
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$170
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$20,570
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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.
The FAA is 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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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 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:
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