[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:
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.
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
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85................................ $22,597 $22,682 $3,629,120
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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]
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