Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 130 (Thursday, July 10, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30588-30590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-12893]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0484; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00690-T; 
Amendment 39-23077; AD 2025-13-11]
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 airplanes. This AD was prompted by 
hydraulic leakage from the spoiler power control unit (SPPCU) in 
service. Relevant investigations determined that, following certain 
failures, the spoiler electrical control unit (SPECU) can deliver an 
untimely and permanent activation command to the SPPCU standby 
electrical pump, which can possibly result in overheating and 
significant hydraulic leakage of the unit. This AD requires replacing 
the affected SPECUs and prohibits the installation of affected parts. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 14, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 14, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0484; 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.

[[Page 30589]]

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 [email protected]. 
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 regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0484.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Reisenauer, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: 516-228-7301; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Dassault Aviation 
Model Falcon 7X airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on April 7, 2025 (90 FR 14924). The NPRM was prompted by AD 
2024-0224, dated November 26, 2024, issued by EASA, which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (EASA AD 
2024-0224) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states hydraulic 
leakage from the SPPCU led to investigations that determined that 
following certain failures, the SPECU can deliver an untimely and 
permanent activation command to the SPPCU standby electrical pump, 
which can result in overheating and significant hydraulic leakage of 
the unit. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further 
occurrences of equipment overheating and hydraulic leakage in the fuel 
equipment bay, which, during ground operations, could cause 
uncontrolled fire in that area.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require replacing the affected 
SPECUs and to prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0484.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Changes Made From the NPRM

    The FAA added paragraph (h)(3) of this AD regarding the definition 
of a serviceable part. While the MCAI requires a serviceable part to be 
eligible for installation in accordance with Dassault instructions, 
this AD only requires that it be eligible for installation.
    The FAA also added paragraph (i) of this AD to clarify that 
although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0224 specifies to 
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

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 
the changes described previously, 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

    EASA AD 2024-0224 specifies procedures for replacement of affected 
SPECUs, including an inspection of the SPPCU for overheating and 
hydraulic leak marks and repair. EASA AD 2024-0224 also prohibits the 
installation of affected parts. 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 160 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                         Estimated Costs for Replacement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on  U.S.
                           Labor cost                               Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85................................         $22,597         $22,682      $3,629,120
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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

[[Page 30590]]

    (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:

2025-13-11 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-23077; Docket No. FAA-
2025-0484; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00690-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 14, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Dassault Aviation Model Falcon 7X 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by hydraulic leakage from the spoiler power 
control unit (SPPCU) in service. Relevant investigations determined 
that, following certain failures, the spoiler electrical control 
unit (SPECU) can deliver an untimely and permanent activation 
command to the SPPCU standby electrical pump, which can possibly 
result in overheating and significant hydraulic leakage of the unit. 
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to further occurrences 
of equipment overheating and hydraulic leakage in the fuel equipment 
bay during ground operations, which could cause uncontrolled fire in 
that area.

(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, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2024-0224, dated November 26, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0224).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0224

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0224 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0224.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2024-0224 defines a serviceable part as an 
``SPECU, eligible for installation in accordance with Dassault 
instructions, which is not an affected part'', this AD requires 
replacing that text with ``SPECU, eligible for installation, which 
is not an affected part''.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0224 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, 
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 (k) of this AD and email 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, 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) 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: 
[email protected].

(l) 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 2024-0224, 
dated November 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 [email protected]. 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 www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on June 27, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-12893 Filed 7-9-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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