AD 2024-14-09

This AD is effective October 15, 2024.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 15, 2024.

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0457; 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:

• For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

• For Dassault Aviation material identified in this AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; website dassaultfalcon.com.

• You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, 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 regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0457.

Tom Rodriguez, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone: 206-231-3226; email: tom.rodriguez@faa.gov.

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-02-10, Amendment 39-21907 (87 FR 7025, February 8, 2022) (AD 2022-02-10). AD 2022-02-10 applied to certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes. AD 2022-02-10 was prompted by MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2021-0047, dated February 16, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0047), to correct an unsafe condition. AD 2022-02-10 required replacement of certain titanium screws. The FAA issued AD 2022-02-10 to address failure of an affected screw installed in a critical location, possibly resulting in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 6, 2024 (89 FR 15965). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2023-0207, dated November 21, 2023 (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that since EASA issued AD 2021-0047, it was determined that affected parts have been installed in production in additional areas of certain Model FALCON 7X airplanes already included in the applicability of EASA AD 2021-0047. Additionally, it was determined that additional Model FALCON 7X airplanes were not included in the applicability of EASA AD 2021-0047.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in AD 2022-02-10, add other locations for screw replacement, and revise the applicability, as specified in EASA AD 2023-0207. 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-2024-0457.

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

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. 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.

EASA AD 2023-0207 specifies procedures for replacing 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.

Dassault Service Bulletin 7X-467, Revision 2, dated March 20, 2023, specifies procedures for additional work.

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 44 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 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 individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. 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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-02-10, Amendment 39-21907 (87 FR 7025, February 8, 2022); and

b. Adding the following new AD: