Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
Final rule.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes equipped with certain ram air turbine (RAT) transformer rectifier units (TRUs). This AD was prompted by a report of incorrect design of the TRU part of the RAT system. This AD requires replacing any affected RAT TRU with a modified RAT TRU. We are issuing this AD to prevent loose internal wiring in the RAT generator, which could result in degraded direct current power to essential airplane systems while the RAT is deployed, which could adversely affect continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
This AD becomes effective February 7, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 7, 2012.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057–3356; telephone (425) 227–1137; fax (425) 227–1149.
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the
The manufacturer of the Transformer Rectifier Unit (TRU) part of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) system has identified an incorrect design of the part.
The internal wiring that conducts the high voltage alternative current from the RAT generator may become loose due to insufficient crimping of the wire and contacts.
This condition, if not corrected, and if occurring while the RAT is deployed, could result in a degraded direct current power which is distributed to essential aeroplane systems and therefore aeroplane operations might be impaired.
To address this unsafe condition, the manufacturer of the RAT TRU has developed an improved RAT TRU with a new Part Number (P/N).
This [European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)] AD requires replacement of the affected RAT TRU by a modified RAT TRU.
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (76 FR 62671, October 11, 2011) or on the determination of the cost to the public.
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 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 (76 FR 62671, October 11, 2011) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (76 FR 62671, October 11, 2011).
We estimate that this AD will affect about 27 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 13 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $16,310 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $470,205, or $17,415 per product.
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.
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 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); 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective February 7, 2012.
None.
This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category; equipped with any ram air turbine (RAT) transformer rectifier unit (TRU) having part number (P/N) 5913703.
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24: Electrical Power.
This AD was prompted by a report of incorrect design of the transformer rectifier unit (TRU) part of the ram air turbine (RAT) system. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent loose internal wiring in the RAT generator, which could result in degraded direct current power to essential airplane systems while the RAT is deployed, which could adversely affect continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within 28 months after the effective date of this AD, replace any RAT TRU having P/N 5913703 with a RAT TRU having P/N 5915825, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X–163, dated December 1, 2010.
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install any RAT TRU having P/N 5913703, on any airplane.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1)
(2)
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency Airworthiness Directive 2011–0008, dated January 18, 2011; and Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X–163, dated December 1, 2010; for related information.
(1) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the
(i) Dassault Mandatory Service Bulletin 7X–163, dated December 1, 2010.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Dassault Falcon Jet, P.O. Box 2000, South Hackensack, New Jersey 07606; telephone (201) 440–6700; Internet
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (425) 227–1221.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741–6030, or go to