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

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 2, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28882-28885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-12332]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0209; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00636-E; 
Amendment 39-23073; AD 2025-13-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca, 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 was prompted by a manufacturer review of collected data from in-
service engines that indicated the preference injector may clog over 
time caused by fuel coking, which decreases the permeability of the 
preference injector. This AD requires initial and repetitive non-
extinguishing tests for engine flameout and replacement of the 
preference injector if necessary, a one-time modification (software 
upgrade) of the electronic engine control unit (EECU) and, for certain 
engines, repetitive replacements of the preference injector. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 6, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 6, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0209; 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

[[Page 28883]]

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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, 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.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, 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-2025-0209.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bergeron, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (860) 386-1805; 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. (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2B2 engines. The NPRM was published 
in the Federal Register on February 25, 2025 (90 FR 10617). The NPRM 
was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0195R1, dated October 22, 2024 (EASA AD 
2024-0195R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, which 
revised EASA AD 2024-0195, dated October 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0195). 
EASA AD 2024-0195 states that a manufacturer review of collected data 
from in-service engines indicated that the preference injector may clog 
over time caused by fuel coking, which could decrease the permeability 
of the preference injector. EASA AD 2024-0195 also specifies non-
extinguishing tests and replacements of the preference injector at 
reduced intervals, and upgrade of the EECU software based on two 
manufacturer design changes which, in combination, reduce the clogging 
rate, but do not mitigate the potential of the unsafe condition. The 
manufacturer also issued service material that provided instructions 
for a non-extinguishing test and replacement of the preference injector 
at shorter intervals than specified in the Engine Maintenance Manual. 
The manufacturer then developed an EECU software upgrade (modification 
TU 173) for certain engines installed on certain helicopters, which 
allows automatic accomplishment of the non-extinguishing test, and 
published service material providing instructions to embody the 
software upgrade on in-service engines.
    EASA AD 2024-0195R1 states that EASA revised EASA AD 2024-0195 and 
issued EASA AD 2024-0195R1 to retain all actions from EASA AD 2024-0195 
and amend the applicable groups, because modification TU 173 is 
applicable only to engines installed on Airbus Helicopters Deutschland 
EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC635T2, or EC635T2+ helicopters.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require initial and repetitive 
non-extinguishing tests for engine flameout and replacement of the 
preference injector if necessary, a one-time modification (software 
upgrade) of the EECU and, for certain engines, repetitive replacements 
of the preference injector.
    Clogging of the preference injector, if not detected and corrected, 
and if combined with a sharp reduction in the fuel flow during the 
flight after a pilot command, could lead to a flameout in the 
combustion chamber, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight 
shutdown of the engine and reduced control of the helicopter. 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-2025-0209.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from 1 individual commenter. The 
commenter supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil 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, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, 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. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0195R1, which specifies procedures 
for initial and repetitive non-extinguishing tests, a one-time 
modification (software upgrade) of the EECU, and repetitive 
replacements of the preference injector. This material is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 186 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Parts    Cost per   Cost on U.S.
                   Action                              Labor cost              cost     product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial non-extinguishing test (186          1 work-hour x $85 per hour =          $0        $85         $15,810
 engines).                                    $85.
Repetitive non-extinguishing test (54        1 work-hour x $85 per hour =           0         85           4,590
 engines).                                    $85.
Injector replacement (186 engines).........  1 work-hour x $85 per hour =       1,819      1,904         354,144
                                              $85.
EECU software upgrade (132 engines)........  7 work-hours x $85 per hour =          0        595          78,540
                                              $595.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacement that would be required based on the results of 
any required tests. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
engines that might need this on-condition replacement:

[[Page 28884]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost   Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Injector replacement.......................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..       $1,819              $1,904
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2025-13-07 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate 
previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.): Amendment 39-23073; Docket No. 
FAA-2025-0209; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00636-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 6, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (type 
certificate previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model ARRIUS 2B2 
engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7300, Engine Fuel 
and Control.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a manufacturer review of collected data 
from in-service engines that indicated the preference injector may 
clog over time caused by fuel coking, which could decrease the 
permeability of the preference injector. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to detect and correct clogging and decreased permeability of the 
preference injector due to fuel coking. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, when combined with a sharp reduction in fuel flow, could 
result in a flameout in the combustion chamber, which could result 
in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine and reduced 
control of the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2024-0195R1, dated October 22, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0195R1).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0195R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0195R1 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0195R1.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0195R1 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

(j) 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 International Validation Branch, send 
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) 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.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact David Bergeron, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (860) 386-1805; email: 
[email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0195R1, 
dated October 22, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For EASA material identified in this AD, 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 material at the FAA, 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 material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].


[[Page 28885]]


    Issued on June 18, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-12332 Filed 7-1-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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