Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3-5]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33569]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-1061; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-053-AD; 
Amendment 39-16908; AD 2011-27-06]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes equipped with certain ram 
air turbine (RAT) transformer rectifier units (TRUs). This AD was 
prompted by a report of incorrect design of the TRU part of the RAT 
system. This AD requires replacing any affected RAT TRU with a modified 
RAT TRU. We are issuing this AD to prevent loose internal wiring in the 
RAT generator, which could result in degraded direct current power to 
essential airplane systems while the RAT is deployed, which could 
adversely affect continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 7, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 7, 
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 October 11, 2011 (76 
FR 62671). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    The manufacturer of the Transformer Rectifier Unit (TRU) part of 
the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) system has identified an incorrect design 
of the part.
    The internal wiring that conducts the high voltage alternative 
current from the RAT generator may become loose due to insufficient 
crimping of the wire and contacts.
    This condition, if not corrected, and if occurring while the RAT 
is deployed, could result in a degraded direct current power which 
is distributed to essential aeroplane systems and therefore 
aeroplane operations might be impaired.
    To address this unsafe condition, the manufacturer of the RAT 
TRU has developed an improved RAT TRU with a new Part Number (P/N).
    This [European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)] AD requires 
replacement of the affected RAT TRU by a modified RAT TRU.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

[[Page 4]]

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 62671, October 11, 
2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed--except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (76 FR 62671, October 11, 2011) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 62671, October 11, 2011).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect about 27 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 13 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average 
labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $16,310 
per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs 
that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no 
charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for 
affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated 
here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $470,205, or $17,415 per product.

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 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); 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.
    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 (76 FR 62671, October 11, 
2011), 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 adding the following new AD:

2011-27-06 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-16908. Docket No. FAA-
2011-1061; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-053-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 7, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category; equipped with any 
ram air turbine (RAT) transformer rectifier unit (TRU) having part 
number (P/N) 5913703.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of incorrect design of the 
transformer rectifier unit (TRU) part of the ram air turbine (RAT) 
system. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to 
prevent loose internal wiring in the RAT generator, which could 
result in degraded direct current power to essential airplane 
systems while the RAT is deployed, which could adversely affect 
continued safe flight and landing 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) Actions

    Within 28 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
any RAT TRU having P/N 5913703 with a RAT TRU having P/N 5915825, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault 
Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X-163, dated December 1, 2010.

(h) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any 
RAT TRU having P/N 5913703, on any airplane.

(i) 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: [email protected]. 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

[[Page 5]]

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.

(j) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness 
Directive 2011-0008, dated January 18, 2011; and Dassault Mandatory 
Service Bulletin 7X-163, dated December 1, 2010; for related 
information.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 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:
    (i) Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X-163, dated December 
1, 2010.
    (2) For 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.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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 December 23, 2011.
John P. Piccola,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-33569 Filed 12-30-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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