Rule2025-21480
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
November 28, 2025
Effective
January 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-12- 10, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2022-12-10 required revising the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) to provide emergency procedures for inconsistent or unreliable flight data, emergency and abnormal operations procedures for the generic input/output (GEN I/O) internal module failure, and emergency procedures for additional information. AD 2022-12-10 also required revising the existing minimum equipment list (MEL) for the multi-function probe heating, air data, and inertial reference systems. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-12-10, the manufacturer developed modifications that fix a weak point in the avionics architecture. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-12-10 and removes certain airplanes from the applicability. This AD also requires modification of the avionics system and related revisions to the existing AFM and MEL. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 227 (Friday, November 28, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 227 (Friday, November 28, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54545-54548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-21480]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1729; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00568-T;
Amendment 39-23183; AD 2025-22-05]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-12-
10, which applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X
airplanes. AD 2022-12-10 required revising the existing airplane flight
manual (AFM) to provide emergency procedures for inconsistent or
unreliable flight data, emergency and abnormal operations procedures
for the generic input/output (GEN I/O) internal module failure, and
emergency procedures for additional information. AD 2022-12-10 also
required revising the existing minimum equipment list (MEL) for the
multi-function probe heating, air data, and inertial reference systems.
Since the FAA issued AD 2022-12-10, the manufacturer developed
modifications that fix a weak point in the avionics architecture. This
AD continues to require the actions in AD 2022-12-10 and removes
certain airplanes from the applicability. This AD also requires
modification of the avionics system and related revisions to the
existing AFM and MEL. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective January 2, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 2,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1729; 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified 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#b3f2f7c0f3d6d2c0d29dd6c6c1dcc3d29dd6c6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ccdc8ffcce9edffeda2e9f9fee3fceda2e9f9">[email protected]</span></a>.
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<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. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1729.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: 516-228-7301; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f5ccd8b4a3a6d8b4bca7d8b7b4b6bad8b6baa6b5939494db929a83"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a79e8ae6f1f48ae6eef58ae5e6e4e88ae4e8f4e7c1c6c689c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-12-10, Amendment 39-22082 (87 FR
45246, July 28, 2022) (AD 2022-12-10). AD 2022-12-10 applied to all
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, except airplanes having
Dassault modification M2091 embodied in production. AD 2022-12-10
required revising the existing AFM to provide emergency procedures for
inconsistent or unreliable flight data, emergency and abnormal
operations procedures for the GEN I/O internal module failure, and
emergency procedures for additional information. AD 2022-12-10 also
required revising the operator's existing FAA-approved MEL items for
the multi-function probe heating, air data, and inertial reference
systems. The FAA issued AD 2022-12-10 to address misleading data on
display units, which could reduce safety margins and lead to increased
pilot workload, possibly resulting in reduced controllability of the
airplane.
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2025
(90 FR 37810). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2023-0003R1, dated September
26, 2024 (EASA AD 2023-0003R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued
by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the
European Union. The MCAI states that EASA superseded EASA AD 2021-0197,
dated August 23, 2021 (which corresponds to AD 2022-12-10), with EASA
AD 2022-0145, dated July 12, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0145). EASA AD 2022-
0145 was issued to retain the requirements of EASA AD 2021-0197,
exclude airplanes on which Dassault modification M2091 was embodied in
production, and require airplane serial numbers (S/Ns) 402 and
subsequent with the ``EASy III--2nd CERT'' or ``EASy III--3rd CERT''
standard to upgrade the avionics architecture to the ``EASY III--4th
CERT'' standard (modification M2091).
EASA AD 2022-0145, in turn, was superseded by EASA AD 2023-0003,
dated January 6, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0003). EASA AD 2023-0003 was issued
to retain the requirements of EASA AD 2022-0145, exclude airplanes on
which Dassault modification M2096 or M2097 was embodied in production,
and require airplane S/Ns 2 through 400 inclusive to upgrade the
avionics architecture to the ``EASy II--5th CERT'' standard
(modification M2096 or M2097, as applicable).
Since EASA AD 2023-0003 was issued, Dassault developed
modifications M2055 (for airplane S/Ns 2 through 400 inclusive) and
M2059 (for airplane S/Ns 402 and subsequent) that upgrade the avionics
architecture to the ``EASy IV'' standard and issued Dassault Service
Bulletin 7X-600, dated November 7, 2022; Dassault Service Bulletin 7X-
601, April 24, 2023; and Dassault Service Bulletin 7X-602, June 3,
2023; as applicable, to provide in-service modification instructions.
EASA AD 2023-0003 was subsequently revised by EASA AD 2023-0003R1 to
exclude airplanes on which modifications M2055 or M2059 were embodied
in production and allow incorporation of those modifications in service
as an optional method of compliance for modifications M2091, M2096, or
M2097, as applicable.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in
AD 2022-12-10 and remove from the applicability airplanes on which
Dassault modification M2055, M2059, M2096, or M2097 were embodied in
production. The FAA also proposed to require modification of the
avionics system and related revisions to the existing AFM and MEL, as
specified in
[[Page 54546]]
EASA AD 2023-0003R1. The FAA is issuing 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-2025-1729.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0003R1, which specifies revising the
(1) 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; (2) existing FAA-approved MEL
items for the multi-function probe heating, air data, and inertial
reference systems and modular avionic unit (MAU) #1B; and (3)
operational suitability manual--flight crew (OSM-FC). This material
also specifies procedures for modifying the avionics system and
incorporating related AFM and MEL revisions.
This material also describes optional procedures for modifying the
avionics architecture to the ``EASy IV'' standard, revising the
existing AFM to incorporate revision 6 or revision 25, as applicable,
and revising the existing FAA-approved MEL to incorporate revision 16.
Accomplishing the optional modification and AFM revision is an
acceptable method of compliance for the applicable modification that
upgrades the avionics architecture to ``EASy III--4th CERT'' or ``EASy
II--5th CERT'' and related AFM revision. In addition, accomplishing the
optional MEL revision is an acceptable method of compliance for the
corresponding revisions to MEL items for the multi-function probe
heating, air data, and inertial reference systems and MAU #1B.
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 preamble to AD 2022-12-10 specifies that the FAA considers that
AD ``interim action'' and that the FAA might consider further
rulemaking if a final action is identified. The manufacturer has since
developed modifications (i.e., software upgrades) that fix a weak point
in the avionics architecture to address the unsafe condition. The FAA
has determined that the modifications and related AFM and MEL revisions
should be required.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 160 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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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Retained actions from AD 2022-12-10 2 work-hours x $85 per $0 $170 $27,200
(MEL and AFM revisions). hour = $170.
New actions (modification and AFM and 10 work-hours x $85 per * 0 850 136,000
MEL revisions). hour = $850.
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* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the parts specified in this
AD.
Estimated Costs for Optional Actions
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Cost per
Labor cost Parts cost product
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Up to 302 work-hours x $85 per Up to $782,394...... $808,064
hour = $25,670.
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According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs
in the cost estimate.
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.
[[Page 54547]]
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
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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-12-10, Amendment 39-22082
(87 FR 45246, July 28, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
2025-22-05 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-23183; Docket No. FAA-
2025-1729; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00568-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 2, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2022-12-10, Amendment 39-22082 (87 FR 45246,
July 28, 2022) (AD 2022-12-10).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes,
certificated in any category, as identified in European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0003R1, dated September 26,
2024 (EASA AD 2023-0003R1).
Note 1 to paragraph (c): Model FALCON 7X airplanes with Dassault
modification M1000 incorporated are commonly referred to as ``Model
FALCON 8X'' as a marketing designation.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.
(e) Unsafe Condition
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 and by development of modifications
that fix that weak point in the avionics architecture. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address misleading data on display units. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could reduce safety margins and
lead to increased pilot workload, possibly resulting in reduced
controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2023-0003R1.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0003R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0003R1 refers to September 6, 2021 (the
effective of EASA AD 2021-0197), this AD requires using September 1,
2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-12-10).
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0003R1 refers to July 26, 2022 (the
effective date of EASA AD 2022-0145, dated July 12, 2022), and
January 20, 2023 (the effective date of EASA AD 2023-0003, dated
January 6, 2023), this AD requires using the effective date of this
AD.
(3) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0003R1 requires
operators to ``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, ensure that
each pilot has performed the training and operates the aeroplane
accordingly,'' and paragraph (2.2) of EASA AD 2023-0003R1 requires
operators to ``inform all flight crews, and, thereafter, operate the
aeroplane accordingly,'' this AD does not require those actions as
those actions are already required by existing FAA operating
regulations (see 14 CFR 91.9, 91.505, 121.137, and 121.628(a)(2) and
(5)).
(4) Where paragraph (1.3) of EASA AD 2023-0003R1 specifies to
``Implement the instructions of the MMEL-CP'', this AD requires
replacing that text with ``Revise the operator's existing FAA-
approved minimum equipment list (MEL) to incorporate that
information (``the MMEL-CP'' as specified in EASA AD 2023-0003R1)''.
(5) Paragraph (1.4) of EASA AD 2023-0003R1 does not apply to
this AD.
(6) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2023-0003R1.
(i) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision
Within 2 months after September 1, 2022 (the effective date of
AD 2022-12-10), revise the applicable existing AFM to incorporate
the information specified in figure 1 to paragraph (i) of this AD
after sub-sub-section 2-200-70, Emergency Procedures, ADS with IRS
miscompare, of sub-section 2-200, Emergency Procedures, of Section
2--Emergency Procedures.
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Figure 1 to Paragraph (i)--Training Areas of Special Emphasis for Pilot
(TASEp) Tp-118-EZII Info for AFM
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR28NO25.025
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(j) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2023-0003R1
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(k) 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, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#76373b39353610171758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e3a2aeaca0a3858282cd848c95">[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.
(l) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact William Reisenauer,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 516-228-7301; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#350c1874636618747c67187774767a18767a66755354541b525a43"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93aabed2c5c0bed2dac1bed1d2d0dcbed0dcc0d3f5f2f2bdf4fce5">[email protected]</span></a>.
(m) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0003R1,
dated September 26, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified 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#09484d7a496c687a68276c7c7b667968276c7c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="67262314270206140649021215081706490212">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material 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#f89e8ad691968b889d9b8c919796b896998a99d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="086e7a2661667b786d6b7c6167664866697a69266f677e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on October 31, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-21480 Filed 11-26-25; 8:45 am]
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