Proposed Rule2024-07563
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 10, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that certain left-hand (LH) and right- hand (RH) pylon bleed air leak detectors (BALDs) might be defective, due to incorrect manufacturing processes and incomplete acceptance test procedures. This proposed AD would require a one-time operational check of affected parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action, and would limit the installation of affected parts under certain conditions, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 10, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 25189-25191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07563]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0999; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01262-T]
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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by a determination that certain left-hand (LH) and right-
hand (RH) pylon bleed air leak detectors (BALDs) might be defective,
due to incorrect manufacturing processes and incomplete acceptance test
procedures. This proposed AD would require a one-time operational check
of affected parts and, depending on findings, accomplishment of
applicable corrective action, and would limit the installation of
affected parts under certain conditions, as specified in a European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for
incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 28,
2024.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0999; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For material that is proposed for IBR in this AD, contact
EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#69282d1a290c081a08470c1c1b061908470c1c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="96d7d2e5d6f3f7e5f7b8f3e3e4f9e6f7b8f3e3">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may
find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-0999.
<bullet> 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 206-231-3226; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#40342f2d6e322f2432292735253a002621216e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="83f7eceeadf1ece7f1eae4f6e6f9c3e5e2e2ade4ecf5">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2024-0999; Project Identifier
MCAI-2023-01262-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Tom
Rodriguez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite
410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3226; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c7b3a8aae9b5a8a3b5aea0b2a2bd87a1a6a6e9a0a8b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="31455e5c1f435e5543585644544b715750501f565e47">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European
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Union, has issued EASA AD 2023-0216, dated December 18, 2023 (EASA AD
2023-0216) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. The MCAI
states that certain pylon BALDs might be defective, due to incorrect
manufacturing processes and incomplete acceptance test procedures. The
presence of defective LH and RH pylon BALDs could lead to undetected
pylon overheat, possibly resulting in structural degradation or
uncontrolled fire.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2024-0999.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
EASA AD 2023-0216 specifies procedures for a one-time operational
check of affected parts, including an inspection of the routing of the
rear and front BALD loops for interference with the aircraft structure
between two grommets, an inspection of the BALD loops for overheating
and burn marks, an inspection of the area surrounding each test point
for possible interference between the hot air gun and the temperature-
sensitive piping and harnesses, a test of the BALD loops with a wide
blower nozzle for a certain CAS message, and a test of the BALD loops
with a narrow blower nozzle for a certain CAS message; and, depending
on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action including
replacing defective BALD loops. EASA AD 2023-0216 also provides
conditions for installation of affected RH and LH pylon BALDs. 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 ADDRESSES.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in EASA AD 2023-0216 described previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate EASA AD 2023-0216 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2023-0216 in its entirety through that incorporation, except
for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of
this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading
of a particular section in EASA AD 2023-0216 does not mean that
operators need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,''
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2023-
0216. Service information required by EASA AD 2023-0216 for compliance
will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2024-0999
after the FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 150 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $850.......................... $602 $1,452 $217,800
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action that would be required based on the results of any
required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of
aircraft that might need this on-condition action:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $850... $1,661 $2,511
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the
cost impact on affected operators.
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
[[Page 25191]]
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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2024-0999; Project Identifier
MCAI-2023-01262-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by May 28, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X
airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 36, Pneumatic.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that certain left-hand
(LH) and right-hand (RH) pylon bleed air leak detectors (BALDs)
might be defective, due to incorrect manufacturing processes and
incomplete acceptance test procedures. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the possible presence of defective LH and RH pylon BALDs.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in undetected
pylon overheat, possibly resulting in structural degradation or
uncontrolled fire.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2023-0216, dated December 18, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0216).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0216
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0216 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where the group definitions in EASA AD 2023-0216 specify
``the SB,'' this AD requires replacing that text with ``Dassault
Service Bulletin 7X-572, Erratum, dated October 24, 2023.''
(3) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0216 refers to ``suspicious traces,'' this AD requires replacing
that text with ``burn marks or signs of overheating.''
(4) Where EASA AD 2023-0216 refers to ``any discrepancy,'' this
AD requires replacing that text with ``any routing interference,
burn marks, signs of overheating, or any specified CAS message that
does not show on a Primary Display Unit (PDU) during testing.''
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2023-0216.
(i) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified
in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f8c1d5b9aeabd5b9b1aad5cfcbc8d5b9b5b7bbb89e9999d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="053c2844535628444c57283236352844484a46456364642b626a73">[email protected]</span></a>. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Dassault Aviation's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(j) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3226; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#582c3735762a373c2a313f2d3d22183e3939763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="087c6765267a676c7a616f7d6d72486e6969266f677e">[email protected]</span></a>.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0216,
dated December 18, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA AD 2023-0216, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#79383d0a391c180a18571c0c0b160918571c0c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecada89fac898d9f8dc289999e839c8dc28999">[email protected]</span></a>; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this EASA
AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) 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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a>, or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cdabbfe3a4a3bebda8aeb9a4a2a38da3acbface3aaa2bb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c1a0e5215120f0c191f081513123c121d0e1d521b130a">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on April 4, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-07563 Filed 4-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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