Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 30, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35827-35829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-14440]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 90 , No. 144 / Wednesday, July 30, 2025 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 35827]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0753; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00681-T; 
Amendment 39-23093; AD 2025-15-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of the incorrect installation of the very high 
frequency omnidirectional range and localizer (VOR/LOC) antenna 
coupler. This AD requires implementing an operational limitation for 
Category (CAT) II and CAT III approaches, inspecting the VOR/LOC 
antenna coupler, and reinstalling the VOR/LOC antenna coupler if 
necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0753; 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.
    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-2025-0753.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Duong, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
telephone: 516-228-7362; 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 certain Dassault 
Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on May 15, 2025 (90 FR 20569). The NPRM was prompted 
by AD 2024-0219, dated November 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0219) (also 
referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent 
for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states that 
incorrect installations of the VOR/LOC antenna have been reported. This 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in oscillations of the 
lateral deviation indication on both localizer (LOC) number 1 and LOC 
number 2 during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, and in 
possible inaccurate or erroneous VOR indication and associated flight 
management system VOR/distance measuring equipment (DME) position 
updates.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require implementing an 
operational limitation for CAT II and CAT III approaches, inspecting 
the VOR/LOC antenna coupler, and reinstalling the VOR/LOC antenna 
coupler if necessary, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0219. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address lateral deviation LOC indications and 
inaccurate or erroneous VOR indication, which could lead to an airplane 
departing from its scheduled flight path and possible impact with 
terrain or obstacle.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0753.

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

    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 
minor editorial changes, 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

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0219 which specifies procedures for 
implementing an operational limitation prohibiting CAT II and CAT III 
approaches, inspecting/checking the installation of the VOR/LOC antenna 
coupler, and removing and reinstalling any incorrectly installed VOR/
LOC antenna coupler. For airplanes with an operational approval to 
conduct CAT II or CAT III approaches, EASA AD 2024-0219 also specifies 
that the inspection and applicable corrective actions eliminate the 
need for the operational limitation. 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.

[[Page 35828]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates this AD affects 279 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Labor cost                        Parts cost     Cost per product    Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...............              $0                $170                   $47,430
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition action 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 this on-condition action:

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

    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
    (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:

2025-15-06 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-23093; Docket No. FAA-
2025-0753; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00681-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3, 
2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 2000EX 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in European 
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0219, dated November 18, 
2024 (EASA AD 2024-0219).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of the incorrect installation of 
the very high frequency omnidirectional range and localizer (VOR/
LOC) antenna coupler. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
incorrect installation of the VOR/LOC antenna coupler. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in oscillations of the 
lateral deviation indication on both LOC number 1 and LOC number 2 
during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, and possible 
inaccurate or erroneous VOR indication and associated flight 
management system VOR/distance measuring equipment (DME) position 
updates. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could lead to an 
airplane departing from its scheduled flight path and possible 
impact with terrain or obstacle.

(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, EASA 2024-0219.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0219

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0219 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2024-0219 specifies that 
``[a]mending the applicable AFM [airplane flight manual] by 
inserting a copy of this AD and, thereafter, operating the aeroplane 
accordingly, is an acceptable method to comply with this 
[operational limitation] requirement'', this AD does not require 
operating the airplane according to that AFM revision, as that 
action is already required by existing FAA operating regulations 
(see 14 CFR 91.9, 14 CFR 91.505, and 14 CFR 121.137).

[[Page 35829]]

    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0219.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
airplane can be modified, provided category II and category III 
operations are prohibited.

(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 Jonathan Duong, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 516-228-7362; 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 2024-0219, 
dated November 18, 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 July 24, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-14440 Filed 7-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T01:23:08.368654+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

f2d2e386b62a16e6889f1e2f8d3b016cc7059aaff561c7e7dc0a6664e55cea6c

Text SHA-256

b3733be3def4ae30b7951acf6285d3a48fbbfb7fc88cefce4013f0d388154d1c