AD 2021-20-14

This AD is effective November 18, 2021.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 18, 2021.

For material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; 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-2021-0569.

Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226; email tom.rodriguez@faa.gov.

EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2020-0284, dated December 18, 2020 (EASA AD 2020-0284) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for 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 Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2021 (86 FR 37255). The NPRM was prompted by a report of a manufacturing issue involving misalignment of a cabin seat pin and plate that can prevent the recline locking mechanism from properly engaging when the seat is in taxi, take-off, or landing position. The NPRM proposed to require an inspection of certain cabin seats for discrepancies and corrective action, as specified in EASA AD 2020-0284.

The FAA is issuing this AD to address cabin seats having improper or no engagement of the recline locking mechanism during taxi, take-off, or landing, which could result in reduced seat performance under crash loads and possible injury to seat occupants. See the MCAI for additional background information.

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

The FAA reviewed the relevant data 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.

EASA AD 2020-0284 specifies procedures for an inspection of certain cabin seats for discrepancies (a gap between the seat pin and plate), and corrective action (adjustment, deactivation, or repair), as applicable. EASA AD 2020-0284 also prohibits installation of certain cabin seats. 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.

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 565 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition adjustments or deactivations 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 these on-condition actions:

The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.

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.

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.

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.

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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: