AD 2021-20-14 Prompted By A Report Of A Manufacturing Issue Involving Misalignment Of A Cabin Seat Pin And Plate

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X, FALCON 900EX, and FALCON 2000EX airplanes.

This AD 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. This AD requires an inspection of certain cabin seats for discrepancies and corrective action, as specified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 18, 2021.

Supplementary Information: 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.

FMI: www.regulations.gov