Document ID: FAA-2012-0265-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-06-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37795-37797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15066]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0265; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-216-AD; 
Amendment 39-17098; AD 2012-12-18]
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 superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. That AD 
currently requires revising the Abnormal Procedures and Limitations 
sections of the Dassault F7X Airplane Flight Manual. This new AD 
requires a test of the power distribution control units (PDCU) cards 
and generator control units (GCU) cards to detect faulty components, 
and if any faulty components are found, replacing any affected PDCU or 
GCU card. This AD was prompted by a determination that additional 
actions are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct a leakage failure mode of 
transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes used on PDCU cards or GCU 
cards in the primary power distribution boxes (PPDB), which, in 
combination with other system failures, could lead to loss of 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 30, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 30, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 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 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2012 (77 
FR 15293), and proposed to supersede AD AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-
16416 (75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010).
    On August 11, 2010, we issued AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-16416 (75 
FR 51931, August 24, 2010). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 
7X airplanes. The preamble of AD 2010-18-03 explains that we consider 
the requirements of that AD ``interim action'' and are considering 
further rulemaking to mandate inspection (testing) of the PDCU and GCU 
cards and replacement of faulty cards, as required by European Aviation 
Safety Agency AD 2010-0073, dated April 15,

[[Page 37796]]

2010. The planned compliance time for those actions would allow enough 
time for prior public comment on the merits of those actions. This 
proposed AD follows from that determination.
    The unsafe condition is a leakage failure mode of TVS diodes used 
on PDCU or GCU cards in the PPDB, which, in combination with other 
system failures, could lead to loss of controllability of the airplane. 
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 15293, March 15, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 9 products of U.S. 
registry.
    The actions that are required by AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-16416 
(75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010), and retained in this AD take about 4 
work-hours per product, at an average labor rate of $85 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the currently required 
actions is $340 per product.
    We estimate that it would take about 4 work-hours per product to 
comply with the new basic requirements of this proposed AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these figures, we estimate 
the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $3,060, or $340 per 
product.
    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD. We 
have no way of determining the number of products that may need these 
actions.

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.

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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (75 FR 51931, August 24, 
2010), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will 
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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

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 removing airworthiness AD 2010-18-03, 
Amendment 39-16416 (75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010), and adding the 
following new AD:

2012-12-18 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-17098. Docket No. FAA-
2012-0265; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-216-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 30, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-16416 (75 FR 
51931, August 24, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, 
certificated in any category, all serial numbers except those on 
which Dassault Aviation Modification M724 is embodied.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: Electrical 
Power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a determination that additional actions 
are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct a leakage failure mode of 
transient voltage suppression (TVS) diodes used on power 
distribution control units (PDCU) cards or generator control units 
(GCU) cards in the primary power distribution boxes, which, in 
combination with other system failures, could lead to loss of 
controllability of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD 
performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions 
have already been done.

(g) Retained Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    This AFM revision is retained from AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-
16416 (75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010): Within 30 days after September 
8, 2010 (the effective date of AD 2010-18-03, revise the Abnormal 
Procedures and Limitations sections of the Dassault F7X AFM to 
include the following statement. This may be done by inserting 
copies of this AD into the AFM Limitations section and Abnormal 
Procedures section.

Upon display of ELEC:BUS MISCONFIG TIED in Crew Alerting System 
(Abnormal procedure 3-190-20), land atnearest suitable airport
Upon display of ELEC:LH ESS PWR LO or ELEC:LH ESS NO PWR (Abnormal 
procedure 3-190-40), land at nearest suitable airport
Upon display of ELEC:RH ESS PWR LO and ELEC:RH ESS NO PWR (Abnormal 
procedure 3-190-45), land at nearest suitable airport

[[Page 37797]]

Upon display of HYD:BACKUP PUMP HI TEMP (Abnormal procedure 3-250-
15), set off the pump and if the backup pump is still rotating 
(green) in hydraulic synoptic, descend to a safe altitude or below 
15,000 ft
Caution: These temporary amendments take precedence over the same 
procedures displayed through the Electronic Check List (ECL) in the 
aeroplane.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: When a statement identical 
to that in paragraph (g) of this AD has been included in the 
Limitations section and Abnormal Procedures section in the general 
revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the 
AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed.

(h) New Requirements of This AD: Test the PDCU and GCU Cards

    For airplanes identified in Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 
7X-133, dated December 4, 2009: Within 9 months after the effective 
date of this AD, perform a test of the PDCU and GCU cards to detect 
faulty components, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X-133, dated 
December 4, 2009. If any faulty components are found, before further 
flight, replace any affected PDCU or GCU card, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Mandatory Service 
Bulletin 7X-133, dated December 4, 2009.

(i) Optional Method of Compliance

    For airplanes identified in Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 
7X-133, dated December 4, 2009: Accomplishing the actions specified 
in paragraph (h) of this AD, within 9 months after the effective 
date of this AD, in accordance with the service information 
specified in paragraphs (i)(1), (i)(2), and (i)(3) of this AD, is 
acceptable for compliance with the actions specified in paragraph 
(h) of this AD.
    (1) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232190-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.
    (2) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232191-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.
    (3) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232192-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the International 
Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1137; fax (425) 227-1149. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal 
inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district 
office/certificate holding district office. The AMOC approval letter 
must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2010-0073, dated April 15, 2010, and the service bulletins 
specified in paragraphs (k)(1) through (k)(4) of this AD, for 
related information.
    (1) Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X-133, dated December 
4, 2009.
    (2) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232190-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.
    (3) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232191-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.
    (4) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232192-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service 
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X-133, dated December 
4, 2009.
    (3) If you accomplish the optional actions specified by this AD, 
you must use the following service information to perform those 
actions, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232190-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.
    (ii) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232191-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.
    (iii) Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232192-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.
    (4) For Dassault service information identified in this AD, 
contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New 
Jersey 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; Internet http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. For Goodrich service information identified 
in this AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, Power Systems, 1555 
Corporate Woods Parkway, Uniontown, Ohio 44685-8799; telephone 330-
487-2007; fax 330-487-1902; email twinsburg.techpubs@goodrich.com; 
Internet http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs.
    (5) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (6) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 11, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-15066 Filed 6-22-12; 8:45 am]
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