EASA AD No.: 2009-0208 

EASA Form 110 Page 1/2 

EASA AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 

AD No.: 2009- 0208 

Date: 13 October 2009 

Note: This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by EASA, acting in accordance with 

Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 on behalf of the European Community, its Member States and 

of the European third countries that participate in the activities of EASA under Article 66 of 

that Regulation. 

This AD is issued in accordance with EC 1702/2003, Part 21A.3B. In accordance with EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.301, the 

continuing airworthiness of an aircraft shall be ensured by accomplishing any applicable ADs. Consequently, no person may 

operate an aircraft to which an Airworthiness Directive applies, except in accordance with the requirements of that Airworthiness 

Directive unless otherwise specified by the Agency [EC 2042/2003 Annex I, Part M.A.303] or agreed with the Authority of the State 

of Registry [EC 216/2008, Article 14(4) exemption]. 

Type Approval Holder’s Name : 

DASSAULT AVIATION 

Type/Model designation(s) : 

FALCON 7X aeroplanes 

TCDS Number : EASA.A.155 

Foreign AD : Not applicable 

Supersedure : None 

ATA 34 Navigation - Radio-altimeter Lock-up - Operational Procedure 

Manufacturer(s): Dassault Aviation 

Applicability: All Falcon 7X aeroplanes, all serial numbers. 

Reason: Several occurrences of untimely radio-altimeter lock-up have been reported, 

where the failed radio-altimeter indicated a negative distance to the ground 

despite the aircraft was flying at medium or high altitude. 

A locked radio-altimeter #1 leads to untimely inhibition of warnings that could 

be displayed along with certain abnormal conditions while the avionic system 

switches into landing mode during altitude cruise. 

Investigation in order to determine the root cause of radio-altimeter lock-up is 

in progress. In the meantime, Dassault Aviation has developed an operational 

procedure that in case of radio-altimeter #1 lock-up allows the crew, by depowering radio-altimeter #1, to restore in flight the system warning 

performance. 

Failure to comply with this interim flight procedure may cause the crew to be 

unaware of possible system failures that could require urgent crew's actions. 

This AD mandates application of a new abnormal Airplane Flight Manual 

(AFM) procedure when radio-altimeter #1 lock-up occurs and prohibits 

dispatch of the aeroplane with any radio-altimeter inoperative. 
EASA AD No.: 2009-0208 

EASA Form 110 Page 2/2 

Effective Date: 27 October 2009 

Required Action(s) 

and Compliance 

Time(s): 

Required as indicated after the effective date of this AD: 

(1) If radio-altimeter #1 lock-up conditions occur in flight, power off radioaltimeter #1, in accordance with the instructions of Falcon 7X AFM 

procedure 3-140-65. 

(2) Dispatch of the aeroplane with any radio-altimeter inoperative is 

prohibited. 

 Strikethrough of item 34-10 “Radio-Altimeters (RA)” in the Minimum 

Equipment List (MEL) and inserting a copy of this AD for the 

corresponding MEL entry of each aeroplane is considered acceptable 

to comply with the requirement of paragraph (2) of this AD. 

Ref. Publications: Falcon 7X AFM DGT105608 rev. 8 including CP030 

 - Abnormal Procedure 3-140-65 "radar-altimeter #1 locked" 

Falcon 7X MMEL DGT 106042 rev. 4. 

The use of later approved revisions of these documents is acceptable for 

compliance with the requirements of this AD. 

Remarks: 1. If requested and appropriately substantiated, EASA can approve 

Alternative Methods of Compliance for this AD. 

2. The required actions and the risk allowance have granted the issuance of 

a Final AD with Request for Comments, postponing the public 

consultation process after publication. 

3. Enquiries regarding this AD should be referred to the Airworthiness 

Directives, Safety Management & Research Section, Certification 

Directorate, EASA. E-mail: ADs@easa.europa.eu. 

4. For any question concerning the technical contents of the requirements in 

this AD, please contact your Dassault Falcon Technical Assistance: 

 For Europe, Middle East and Africa based operators: 

 Hot Line: (33) 1 47 11 37 37 / Fax: (33) 1 47 11 89 49 

 For USA, Canada and Mexico based operators: 

 Help Desk: (1) 800-2FALCON (2325266) / Fax: (1) 201 541 4740 

 All other areas: 

 Help Desk: (1) 201 541 4747 / Fax: (1) 201 541 4740