82 FR 40474 - Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 164 (August 25, 2017)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, under certain operational takeoff conditions, the available thrust in relation with the N1 indication is less than a certified value, which could affect the safety margins with an engine failure during takeoff. This AD requires modifying each engine by updating the electronic engine control (EEC) software and adjusting the engine N1 trim value, and revising the airplane flight manual (AFM). We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40474-40477]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17401]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0496; Product Identifier 2016-NM-103-AD; Amendment 
39-19001; AD 2017-17-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. This AD was prompted by a 
report indicating that, under certain operational takeoff conditions, 
the available thrust in relation with the N1 indication is less than a 
certified value, which could affect the safety margins with an engine 
failure during takeoff. This AD requires modifying each engine by 
updating the electronic engine control (EEC) software and adjusting the 
engine N1 trim value, and revising the airplane flight manual (AFM). We 
are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 29, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 29, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: For Dassault service information identified in this final 
rule, contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. 
Box 2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; Internet 
http://www.dassaultfalcon.com. For Pratt & Whitney Canada service 
information identified in this final rule, contact Pratt & Whitney 
Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; 
telephone 800-268-8000; fax 450-647-2888; Internet http://www.pwc.ca. 
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is 
also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0496.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0496; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, 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, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-
1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We 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 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on May 30, 2017 (82 FR 24603) (``the NPRM''). We are issuing this AD to 
prevent a reduction in available engine thrust during certain 
operational takeoff conditions, which could affect

[[Page 40475]]

the safety margins with an engine failure during takeoff and could 
result in reduced control of the airplane.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA 
Airworthiness Directive 2016-0063, dated March 31, 2016 (referred to 
after this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Dassault 
Aviation FALCON 7X airplanes. The MCAI states:

    A review of the Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) 307A engine data 
files has disclosed that, under certain operational take-off 
conditions (high altitude runway and low temperature), the available 
thrust in relation with N1 indication is less than certified and 
described in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).
    This condition, if not corrected, affects the safety margins 
with an engine failure during take-off, possibly resulting in 
reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, PWC developed an 
interim correction [i.e., modifying each engine installed on the 
airplane], to be embodied in service with PWC Service Bulletin (SB) 
47202, which allows augmenting the thrust through a general N1-
detrimming. Subsequently, PWC developed a new Engine Electronic 
Control (EEC) software version, which provides a definitive 
correction of the thrust rating deficiency. PWC published SB 47216 
that provides instructions for in service installation of EEC 
software version 307A0514.
    Concurrently with these developments, Dassault Aviation 
published SB 7X-287 to provide aeroplane modification instructions 
and also revised the performance charts relevant to the new thrust 
rating, available with AFM Revision 21 (incorporating Temporary 
Revision CP098).
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
modification of each engine, installation of the new software 
version, and amendment of the applicable AFM.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0496.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Dassault FALCON 7X AFM DGT105608, Revision 21, dated 
November 20, 2015, which incorporates AFM CP098 (provides performance 
charts relevant to the new thrust rating). This AFM describes operating 
limitations, normal/abnormal/emergency operating procedures, and 
performance data and loading information.
    We reviewed Dassault Service Bulletin 7X-287, also referred to as 
287, dated January 4, 2016. This service information describes 
procedures for modifying each engine installed on the airplane by 
updating the EEC, which includes performing tests after removal and 
installation of the EEC.
    We reviewed Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-72-47202, 
Revision 3, also referred to as 47202R3, dated March 10, 2016. This 
service information describes procedures for modifying an engine by 
adjusting the engine N1 trim value for PW307A engines.
    We reviewed Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-72-47216, 
also referred to as 47216, dated January 13, 2016. This service 
information describes procedures for modifying each engine installed on 
the airplane by updating the EEC, which includes installing software 
EEC version 307A0514.
    This service information 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

    We estimate that this AD affects 62 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Cost  per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification and AFM Revision.......  6 work-hours x $85 per          $19,002          $19,512       $1,209,744
                                       hour = $510.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that 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. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);

[[Page 40476]]

    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.

Adoption of 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.  39.1

3 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):2017-17-
11 Dassault Aviation: Amendment 39-19001; Docket No. FAA-2017-0496; 
Product Identifier 2016-NM-103-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 29, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, 
certificated in any category, all serial numbers, except airplanes 
modified with Dassault Aviation modification (Mod) M1389.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 76, Engine 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, under certain 
operational takeoff conditions, the available thrust in relation 
with the N1 indication is less than a certified value, which could 
affect the safety margins with an engine failure during takeoff. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent a reduction in available engine 
thrust during certain operational takeoff conditions, which could 
affect the safety margins with an engine failure during takeoff and 
could result in reduced control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Modification--Software Update

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
each engine installed on the airplane by updating the electronic 
engine control (EEC) (installation of software EEC version 
307A0514), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Dassault Service Bulletin 7X-287, also referred to as 287, dated 
January 4, 2016; and Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-
72-47216, also referred to as 47216, dated January 13, 2016.

(h) Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    Concurrently with the modification of an airplane required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, revise the applicable AFM of that airplane 
by inserting a copy of Dassault FALCON 7X AFM DGT105608, Revision 
21, dated November 20, 2015 (incorporating AFM CP098).

(i) Modification--N1 Detrim

    Prior to or concurrently with the modification of an airplane 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, modify each engine installed 
on the airplane by adjusting the engine N1 trim value, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Pratt & Whitney Canada 
Service Bulletin PW300-72-47202, Revision 3, also referred to as 
47202R3, dated March 10, 2016.

(j) Replacement Limitation

    After modification of an airplane as required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD, installation of a replacement engine on that airplane is 
allowed, provided that, prior to installation, it is positively 
established that the engine embodies software EEC version 307A0514. 
Modification of a pre-modified engine to embody this software can be 
accomplished in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-72-47216, also 
referred to as 47216, dated January 13, 2016.

(k) Alternative Replacements

    Installation of a replacement engine or replacement EEC unit on 
an airplane after the effective date of this AD, which embodies a 
later software EEC version, is acceptable for compliance with 
paragraph (g) of this AD, provided the conditions specified in 
paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(2) of this AD are met.
    (1) The software EEC version must be approved by the Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the 
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Dassault Aviation's EASA 
Design Organization Approval (DOA).
    (2) The installation must be accomplished in accordance with 
airplane modification instructions approved by the Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or 
Dassault Aviation's EASA DOA.

(l) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph 
(i) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD using service information in paragraph (l)(1), 
(l)(2), or (l)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-72-47202, also 
referred to as 47202, dated June 17, 2014.
    (2) Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-72-47202, 
Revision 1, also referred to as 47202R1, dated November 18, 2014.
    (3) Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-72-47202, 
Revision 2, also referred to as 47202R2, dated January 5, 2016.

(m) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards 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 local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (n)(2) 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 local flight 
standards district office/certificate holding district office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Dassault 
Aviation's EASA DOA. If approved by the DOA, the approval must 
include the DOA-authorized signature.

(n) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) EASA Airworthiness Directive 2016-0063, dated March 31, 2016, 
for related information. This MCAI may be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0496.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 
425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1149.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (o)(4) and (o)(5) of this AD.

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of 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) Dassault FALCON 7X Airplane Flight Manual DGT105608, 
Revision 21, dated November 20, 2015.
    (ii) Dassault Service Bulletin 7X-287, also referred to as 287, 
dated January 4, 2016.
    (iii) Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-72-47202, 
Revision 3, also

[[Page 40477]]

referred to as 47202R3, dated March 10, 2016.
    (iv) Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin PW300-72-47216, 
also referred to as 47216, dated January 13, 2016.
    (3) For Dassault service information identified in this AD, 
contact Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation, Teterboro Airport, P.O. Box 
2000, South Hackensack, NJ 07606; telephone 201-440-6700; Internet 
http://www.dassaultfalcon.com.
    (4) For Pratt & Whitney Canada service information identified in 
this AD, contact Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., 1000 Marie-Victorin, 
Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, J4G 1A1; telephone 800-268-8000; fax 450-
647-2888; Internet http://www.pwc.ca.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 9, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-17401 Filed 8-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P