Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Engines

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 148 (Thursday, August 3, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51223-51225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16539]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1043; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01295-E; 
Amendment 39-22515; AD 2023-15-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. 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. (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:
    <bullet> For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact EASA, Konrad-denauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 
221 8999 000; email: [email protected]. You may find this material on 
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> 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: (781) 
238-7088; 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 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.

[[Page 51224]]

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

Estimated Costs

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

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

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:

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: [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.

(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: (781) 238-7088; email: 
[email protected].

(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: +49 221 8999 000; email: 
[email protected]. 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.

[[Page 51225]]

    (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: [email protected], 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.
[FR Doc. 2023-16539 Filed 8-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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