[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7025-7027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02555]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 26 / Tuesday, February 8, 2022 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 7025]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0684; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00194-T; 
Amendment 39-21907; AD 2022-02-10]
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 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 
2000EX airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of an improper heat 
treatment process applied during the manufacturing of certain titanium 
screws. This AD requires replacement of certain titanium screws, as 
specified in a 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 March 15, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 15, 
2022.

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-2021-0684.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0684; 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, International Validation Branch, FAA, 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 2021-0047, dated February 16, 2021 
(EASA AD 2021-0047) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an 
unsafe condition for certain 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 certain Dassault 
Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 19, 2021 (86 FR 
46629). The NPRM was prompted by a report of an improper heat treatment 
process applied during the manufacturing of certain titanium screws. 
The NPRM proposed to require replacement of certain titanium screws, as 
specified in EASA AD 2021-0047.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of an affected screw 
installed in a critical location, possibly resulting in reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from an anonymous commenter who 
supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 
received, 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 2021-0047 specifies procedures for replacement of certain 
Decomatic titanium screws (including an inspection of the bore 
dimension and corrective actions (oversizing or repair)). The EASA AD 
also restricts installation of certain Decomatic titanium screws. 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 30 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 7026]]



                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Labor cost                  Parts cost         Cost per product          Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 90 work-hours x $85 per hour =              * $0  Up to $7,650.............  Up to $229,500.
 Up to $7,650.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive information regarding cost estimates for these parts.

    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.

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:

2022-02-10 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-21907; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0684; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00194-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 15, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) through (3) of this AD, certificated in any 
category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA) AD 2021-0047, dated February 16, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0047).
    (1) Model FALCON 7X airplanes.
    (2) Model FALCON 900EX airplanes.
    (3) Model FALCON 2000EX airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 51, Standard 
Practices/Structures.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of an improper heat treatment 
process applied during the manufacturing of certain Decomatic 
titanium screws. The FAA is issuing this AD to address failure of an 
affected screw installed in a critical location, possibly resulting 
in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(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 AD 2021-0047.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2021-0047

    (1) Where EASA AD 2021-0047 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) The ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 2021-0047 does not apply 
to this AD.
    (3) Where EASA AD 2021-0047 specifies to ``replace each 
serviceable part,'' for this AD that replacement includes an 
inspection of the bore dimension and corrective actions (oversizing 
or repair), as specified in the service information referenced in 
EASA AD 2021-0047.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2021-0047 
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, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 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

[[Page 7027]]

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 2021-0047, 
dated February 16, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA AD 2021-0047, 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 January 10, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02555 Filed 2-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P