2023-16539. Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Engines

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model Arrius 2B2 engines. This AD is prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM), introducing new and more restrictive tasks and limitations for certain life-limited parts. This AD requires revising the ALS of the existing EMM or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective September 7, 2023.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 7, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1043; 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 service information identified in this final rule, contact EASA, Konrad-denauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

• You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2023–1043.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kevin Clark, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Safran Model Arrius 2B2 engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2023 (88 FR 30911). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022–0203, dated September 30, 2022 (EASA AD 2022–0203), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the manufacturer published a revised ALS introducing new and more restrictive tasks and limitations for certain life-limited parts. The more restrictive tasks and limitations include replacing life-limited parts before exceeding the applicable life limit, performing applicable maintenance tasks, and revising the approved aircraft maintenance program.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require accomplishing the actions specified in the MCAI described previously. 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–2023–1043.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.

Conclusion

These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country and are 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 these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022–0203, which specifies instructions for accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable ALS, including replacing life-limited parts, performing maintenance tasks, and revising the existing approved aircraft maintenance program by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described in the ALS.

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 ADDRESSES .

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

Paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022–0203 requires replacing each component before exceeding the applicable life limit and, within the thresholds and intervals, accomplishing all applicable maintenance tasks after its effective date, this AD requires revising the ALS of the existing EMM or ICA and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022–0203, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (2) through (5) of EASA AD 2022–0203.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 185 engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

Action	Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
Revise the ALS	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	$0	$85	$15,725

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.

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.

Regulatory Findings

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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

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

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

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

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

2023–15–03 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A.: Amendment 39–22515; Docket No. FAA–2023–1043; Project Identifier MCAI–2022–01295–E.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 7, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Model Arrius 2B2 engines.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine (Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM), introducing new and more restrictive tasks and limitations for certain life-limited parts. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of life-limited parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

(1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the existing EMM or instructions for continued airworthiness and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions specified in paragraph (1) of European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2022–0203, dated September 30, 2022 (EASA AD 2022–0203).

(2) The action required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

After the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD have been done, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the “Ref. Publication” section of EASA AD 2022–0203.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, International Validation 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 manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: [e-mail].

(2) 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.

(j) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Clark, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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 the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2022–0203, dated September 30, 2022.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For EASA AD 2022–0203, contact EASA, Konrad Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: [phone]; email: [e-mail]. You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.

(5) 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, email: [e-mail], or go to: www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on July 25, 2023.

Victor Wicklund,

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.