[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15293-15295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6249]


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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]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X 
airplanes. The existing AD currently requires revising the Abnormal 
Procedures and Limitations sections of the Dassault F7X airplane flight 
manual. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that additional 
actions are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. This 
proposed AD would require performing a test of the power distribution 
control units (PDCU) cards and generator control units (GCU) cards to 
detect faculty components, and if any faulty components are found, 
replacing any affected PDCU or GCU card. We are proposing 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 30, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For Dassault service information identified in this proposed 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 Corporation, Power Systems, 1555 
Corporate Woods Parkway, Uniontown, Ohio 44685-8799; telephone 330-487-
2007; fax 330-487-1902; email [email protected]; Internet 
http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. You may review copies of the 
referenced 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.

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 this proposed AD, 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.

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: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0265; 
Directorate Identifier

[[Page 15294]]

2010-NM-216-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically 
invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and 
energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments 
received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD based on 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    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, 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.

Relevant Service Information

    Dassault Aviation has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X-133, 
dated December 4, 2009. Goodrich Power Systems has issued the following 
service bulletins:
     Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232190-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009;
     Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232191-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009; and
     Goodrich Service Bulletin 80232192-24-01, dated August 13, 
2009.
    The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same 
type design.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would 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 proposed 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 the proposed 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 proposed 
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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 
39-16416 (75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010), and adding the following new 
AD:

Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2012-0265; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NM-216-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 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.

[[Page 15295]]

(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 identified 
in AD 2010-18-03, Amendment 39-16416 (75 FR 51931, August 24, 2010). 
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 Revision (AFM)

    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, Amendment 39-16416 (75 
FR 51931, August 24, 2010)), 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 at nearest 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
    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 Aviation 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: [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 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 Aviation 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 1, 2012.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-6249 Filed 3-14-12; 8:45 am]
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