Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Turboshaft Engines

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 133 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37229-37231]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15041]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0100; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00309-E; 
Amendment 39-21613; AD 2021-13-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Turboshaft Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Arriel 2C and Arriel 2S1 model 
turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by reports of error messages 
on the full authority digital engine control (FADEC) B digital engine 
control unit (DECU), caused by blistering of the varnish on the DECU 
circuit board. This AD requires the replacement of certain FADEC B 
DECUs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 19, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 19, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Avenue du 1er Mai, 40220 
Tarnos, France; phone: +33 (0) 5 59 74 40 00. 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 (781) 
238-7759. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0100.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0100; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 
(781) 238-7134; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: [email protected].

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 Helicopter 
Engines, S.A. Arriel 2C and Arriel 2S1 model turboshaft engines. The 
NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2021 (86 FR 
11662). The NPRM was prompted by reports of error messages on the FADEC 
B DECU, caused by blistering of the varnish on the DECU circuit board. 
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require the replacement of certain 
FADEC B DECUs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.
    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has 
issued EASA AD 2020-0046, dated March 4, 2020 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to address the unsafe condition on these products. 
The MCAI states:

    Occurrences have been reported of FADEC B DECU error messages, 
which were found to be caused by blistering of the varnish on the 
DECU circuit board. Subsequent investigation determined that the use 
of a non-compliant primer is related to the blistering effect which, 
in wet conditions, can cause malfunction of the stepper motor.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of 
automatic control on both engines concurrently, possibly resulting 
in reduced control of the helicopter.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, SAFRAN issued the 
MSB, as defined in this [EASA] AD, to provide instructions for 
identification and replacement of affected parts. For the reason 
described above, this [EASA] AD requires replacement of affected 
parts with serviceable parts. This [EASA] AD also prohibits (re-
installation of affected parts.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0100.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

    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. This AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Safran Helicopter Engines Note Technique AA187866, 
Version A, dated 18 Octobre 2019 [October 18, 2019]. This service 
information identifies the serial numbers (S/Ns) of certain FADEC B 
DECUs installed on Arriel 2C and Arriel 2S1 model turboshaft engines. 
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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Safran Helicopter Engines Mandatory Service 
Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 2872, Version A, dated October 17, 2019. This 
MSB describes procedures for identifying the S/Ns of certain FADEC B 
DECUs and replacing certain FADEC B DECUs on Arriel 2C and Arriel 2S1 
model turboshaft engines.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 148 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 37230]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace the FADEC B DECU..............  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $12,580
                                         hour = $85.
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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 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

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.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2021-13-08 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.): Amendment 39-21613; Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0100; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00309-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 19, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type 
Certificate previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Arriel 2C and Arriel 
2S1 model turboshaft engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7321, Fuel Control/
Turbine Engines.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of error messages of the full 
authority digital engine control (FADEC) B digital engine control 
unit (DECU), caused by blistering of the varnish on the DECU circuit 
board. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the FADEC B 
DECU. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss 
of engine thrust control and reduced control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    For affected engines having an installed FADEC B DECU with a 
serial number (S/N) identified in Safran Helicopter Engines Note 
Technique AA187866, Version A, dated 18 Octobre 2019 [Octobre 18, 
2019] (the Note Technique), within 1,400 engine operating hours 
after the effective date of this AD, replace the FADEC B DECU with a 
part eligible for installation.

(h) Installation Prohibition

    After the effective date of this AD, do not install onto any 
engine a FADEC B DECU having an S/N listed in the Note Technique.

(i) Definition

    For the purpose of this AD, a part eligible for installation is 
a FADEC B DECU that does not have an S/N listed in the Note 
Technique.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, ECO 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 
ECO Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in 
Related Information. You may email your request to: [email protected].
    (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Wego Wang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, 
Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7134; fax: (781) 238-7199; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2020-0046, dated March 4, 2020, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0100.

(l) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Safran Helicopter Engines Note Technique AA187866, Version 
A, dated 18 Octobre 2019 [October 18, 2019].
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. service information 
identified in this AD, contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., 
Avenue du 1er Mai, 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: +33 (0) 5 59 74 40 
00.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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 (781) 238-7759.
    (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,

[[Page 37231]]

email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on July 9, 2021.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15041 Filed 7-14-21; 8:45 am]
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