Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 196 (Thursday, October 14, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57022-57024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22294]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0569; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01692-T; 
Amendment 39-21752; AD 2021-20-14]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing issue 
involving misalignment of a cabin seat pin and plate that can prevent 
the recline locking mechanism from properly engaging when the seat is 
in taxi, take-off, or landing position. This AD requires an inspection 
of certain cabin seats for discrepancies and corrective action, as 
specified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is 
incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 18, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference

[[Page 57023]]

of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 18, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone 
+49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]; internet 
www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this IBR material on the EASA website 
at https://ad.easa.europa.eu. 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 in the AD 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0569.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0569; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0284, dated December 18, 2020 
(EASA AD 2020-0284) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, 
and FALCON 2000EX airplanes.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Dassault Aviation Model 
FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2021 (86 FR 37255). The 
NPRM was prompted by a report of a manufacturing issue involving 
misalignment of a cabin seat pin and plate that can prevent the recline 
locking mechanism from properly engaging when the seat is in taxi, 
take-off, or landing position. The NPRM proposed to require an 
inspection of certain cabin seats for discrepancies and corrective 
action, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0284.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address cabin seats having improper 
or no engagement of the recline locking mechanism during taxi, take-
off, or landing, which could result in reduced seat performance under 
crash loads and possible injury to seat occupants. See the MCAI for 
additional background information.

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

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. 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. Accordingly, 
the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    EASA AD 2020-0284 specifies procedures for an inspection of certain 
cabin seats for discrepancies (a gap between the seat pin and plate), 
and corrective action (adjustment, deactivation, or repair), as 
applicable. EASA AD 2020-0284 also prohibits installation of certain 
cabin seats. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 565 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                 Labor cost                               Parts cost                  product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85............  None..............................             $85         $48,025
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition adjustments or deactivations 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 these on-condition actions:

                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85......              $0              $85
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.
    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 operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs 
in the cost estimate.

[[Page 57024]]

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.
    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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2021-20-14 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-21752; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0569; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01692-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 18, 
2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 
900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of a manufacturing issue 
involving misalignment of a seat pin and plate that can prevent the 
recline locking mechanism from properly engaging when the seat is in 
taxi, take-off, or landing position. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address cabin seats having improper or no engagement of the recline 
locking mechanism during taxi, take-off, or landing, which could 
result in reduced seat performance under crash loads and possible 
injury to seat occupants.

(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 
2020-0284, dated December 18, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0284).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2020-0284

    (1) Where EASA AD 2020-0284 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not mandate compliance with the ``Remarks'' 
section of EASA AD 2020-0284.
    (3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2020-0284 specifies action if 
``any discrepancy'' is detected for this AD, a discrepancy is a gap 
between the seat pin and plate.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2020-0284 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, 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 39.19, send 
your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight 
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to 
the Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it 
to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this 
AD. 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 
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, Large Aircraft 
Section, 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International 
Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; 
telephone and fax 206-231-3226; email [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 2020-0284, 
dated December 18, 2020.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2020-0284, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email 
[email protected]; internet www.easa.europa.eu. You may find this 
EASA AD on the EASA website at https://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 that is incorporated by reference 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email 
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on September 21, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-22294 Filed 10-13-21; 8:45 am]
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