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

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 145 (Thursday, July 30, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47942-47946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-15369]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-2557; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00533-E; 
Amendment 39-23415; AD 2026-15-03]
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 Arriel 2E engines. This 
AD was prompted by the determination that new or more restrictive 
airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the 
existing maintenance or inspection program to incorporate the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing approved 
aircraft maintenance program (AMP), as applicable. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 3, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 3, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-2557; 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 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]; 
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website 
at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section,

[[Page 47943]]

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-2025-2557.

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 Model Arriel 
2E engines. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 
26, 2025 (90 FR 46368). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2025-0079, 
dated April 10, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0079) (also referred to as the 
MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union. The MCAI states that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations have been developed, and the 
restrictive 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 revising the existing 
maintenance or inspection program to incorporate the ALS of the 
existing approved AMP, as applicable. 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-2025-2557.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from the Citizens Rulemaking Alliance. 
The following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each comment.

Request To Issue an NPRM or Justify Forgoing Notice

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either 
provide its justification for finding good cause to bypass notice and 
comment procedures or convert this action to an NPRM with a delayed 30-
day effective date. The commenter asserted the FAA has not adequately 
justified use of the good cause exemption to bypass notice and comment 
and the 30-day delayed effective date.
    The FAA notes the comment was submitted in response to an NPRM for 
which the FAA provided a 45-day comment period. This final rule is 
effective 35 days after its publication in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a result of this comment.

Request To Make Incorporation by Reference (IBR) Materials Reasonably 
Available

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA make IBR 
material available and free to the public during the comment period. 
Alternatively, they requested that material be published in the Federal 
Register. The commenter asserted that this AD incorporates by reference 
manufacturer service information.
    The FAA notes that this AD incorporates by reference EASA AD 2025-
0079, not the manufacturer service information referenced in that EASA 
AD. The FAA posted EASA AD 2025-0079 to the AD docket when the NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register. The material referenced in EASA AD 
2025-0079 may only be posted before the final rule's publication if it 
is already publicly available or if there is written consent from the 
owner of that material. Additionally, the FAA provided notice in the 
NPRM that the material referenced in EASA AD 2025-0079 will be 
available in the AD docket after this AD is published. The FAA did not 
change this AD as a result of this comment.

Request To Consider Impact on Small Entities

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA either 
provide the factual basis for its Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) 
certification that the AD will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities or prepare an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis.
    FAA has considered the AD's impact on small businesses and provides 
the following factual basis for its RFA certification.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, Public Law 96-354, 94 Stat. 
1164 (5 U.S.C. 601-612), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121, 110 Stat. 857, Mar. 
29, 1996) and the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-240, 124 
Stat. 2504, Sept. 27, 2010), requires Federal agencies to consider the 
effects of the regulatory action on small business and other small 
entities and to minimize any significant economic impact. The term 
``small entities'' comprises small businesses and not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000.

Small Entities to Which This AD Applies

    The FAA used the definition of small entities in the RFA for this 
analysis. The RFA defines small entities as small businesses, small 
governmental jurisdictions, or small organizations. In 5 U.S.C. 601(3), 
the RFA defines ``small business'' to have the same meaning as ``small 
business concern'' under section 3 of the Small Business Act. The Small 
Business Act authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to 
define ``small business'' by issuing regulations.
    The SBA has established size standards for various types of 
economic activities, or industries, under the North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS). These size standards generally define 
small businesses based on the number of employees or annual receipts. 
The following table provides the SBA size standards for all industries 
with at least one known entity impacted by this AD. Note that the SBA 
definition of a small business applies to the parent company and all 
affiliates as a single entity.

                      Small Business Size Standards
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          NAICS code                NAICS category        Size standard
------------------------------------------------------------------------
221121........................  Electric Bulk Power     950 Employees.
                                 Transmission and
                                 Control.
221122........................  Electric Power          1,100 Employees.
                                 Distribution.
481211........................  Nonscheduled Chartered  1,500 Employees.
                                 Passenger Air
                                 Transportation.
481212........................  Nonscheduled Chartered  1,500 Employees.
                                 Freight Air
                                 Transportation.

[[Page 47944]]

 
488190........................  Other Support           $40,000,000.
                                 Activities for Air
                                 Transportation.
518210........................  Computing               $40,000,000.
                                 Infrastructure
                                 Providers, Data
                                 Processing, Web
                                 Hosting, and Related
                                 Services.
523910........................  Miscellaneous           $47,000,000.
                                 Intermediation.
531120........................  Lessors of              $34,000,000.
                                 Nonresidential
                                 Buildings (except
                                 Mini-warehouses).
531390........................  Other Activities        $19,500,000.
                                 Related to Real
                                 Estate.
532411........................  Commercial Air, Rail,   $45,500,000.
                                 and Water
                                 Transportation
                                 Equipment Rental and
                                 Leasing.
541611........................  Administrative          $24,500,000.
                                 Management and
                                 General Management
                                 Consulting Services.
551112........................  Offices of Other        $45,500,000.
                                 Holding Companies.
611512........................  Flight Training.......  $34,000,000.
621910........................  Ambulance Services....  $22,500,000.
622110........................  General Medical and     $47,000,000.
                                 Surgical Hospitals.
921110........................  Law Enforcement.......  50,000
                                                         Population.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To identify small entities, the FAA first identified the primary 
NAICS of the entity or parent company, and then used data from 
different sources (e.g., company annual reports, Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics) to determine whether the entity meets the 
applicable size standard. This AD affects 24 identifiable domestic 
entities, of which 11 are small entities. The following table displays 
the industries of the small entities, their average annual revenue, and 
the AD's estimated cost burden relative to average annual revenue.

                        Number of Small Entities Affect by Industry and Cost Significance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Number of                     Cost per AD/
             NAICS code                      Description          affected small  Average annual  annual revenue
                                                                     entities         revenue           (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
481211.............................  Nonscheduled Chartered                    1        $428,180            0.02
                                      Passenger Air
                                      Transportation.
481211.............................  Nonscheduled Chartered                    1      15,290,000            0.00
                                      Passenger Air
                                      Transportation.
481212.............................  Nonscheduled Chartered                    1      12,510,000            0.00
                                      Freight Air Transportation.
488190.............................  Other Support Activities                  1       4,690,000            0.00
                                      for Air Transportation.
518210.............................  Computing Infrastructure                  1         137,080            0.06
                                      Providers, Data
                                      Processing, Web Hosting,
                                      and Related Services.
531120.............................  Lessors of Nonresidential                 1          90,500            0.09
                                      Buildings (except Mini-
                                      warehouses).
531390.............................  Other Activities Related to               1         151,760            0.06
                                      Real Estate.
532411.............................  Commercial Air, Rail, and                 1         850,000            0.01
                                      Water Transportation
                                      Equipment Rental and
                                      Leasing.
541611.............................  Administrative Management                 1       1,050,000            0.01
                                      and General Management
                                      Consulting Services.
611512.............................  Flight Training............               1       3,480,000            0.00
921110.............................  Law Enforcement............               1     143,650,000            0.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RFA Conclusions

    While FAA has determined that this final AD affects a substantial 
number of identifiable small entities, the compliance cost of the AD 
relative to each small entity's annual revenue is minimal. The FAA 
estimates the total cost per affected entity to be $85 (1 work-hour x 
$85 per work-hour), which is 0.02% of the average small entity's total 
annual revenue. Therefore, as provided in section 605(b), the FAA 
certifies this AD will not result in a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The FAA did not change this AD as 
a result of this comment.

Request To Comply With the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that the FAA revise the 
proposed AD to comply with the PRA if reporting is required. If 
reporting is not required, the commenter requested the FAA clarify that 
in the AD.
    The FAA notes this AD does not require reporting. If an AD were to 
require reporting, the preamble of the AD would include a paragraph 
titled ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' that would provide the applicable 
OMB control number, required PRA statements, and the estimated time to 
collect the required information (burden). Any costs associated with 
the reporting requirement would be included in the Costs of Compliance 
section in the preamble of the AD. Therefore, the FAA did not change 
this AD as a result of this comment.

Request To Consider Compliance Alternatives

    The Citizens Rulemaking Alliance requested that, if the proposed AD 
requires parts replacement or shop visits, the FAA adjust compliance 
times or provide alternative method of compliance (AMOC) pathways to 
reflect parts availability and maintenance capacity constraints, while 
maintaining an appropriate margin of safety.
    The FAA disagrees with the request. The FAA notes that this AD 
requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, which 
requires neither replacement parts nor a shop visit. Furthermore, AMOC 
pathways already exist under the provisions of paragraph (j) of this 
AD. The FAA will

[[Page 47945]]

consider requests for approval of an extension of the compliance time 
or other AMOCs if sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that 
the new compliance time or alternative method would provide an 
acceptable level of safety. The commenter did not provide specific data 
regarding parts availability or maintenance capacity constraints for 
the FAA to consider. Therefore, the FAA did not change this AD as a 
result of this comment.

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 2025-0079, which specifies procedures for 
replacing components before exceeding their life limits and 
accomplishing all applicable maintenance tasks within thresholds and 
intervals specified in the ALS as defined in EASA AD 2025-0079. 
Depending on the results of the maintenance tasks, EASA AD 2025-0079 
requires accomplishing corrective action(s) or contacting Safran 
Helicopters for approved instructions and accomplishing those 
instructions.
    Additionally, EASA AD 2025-0079 specifies procedures for 
accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable ALS, including 
performing maintenance tasks, replacing life-limited parts, and 
specifies procedures for revising the AMP by incorporating the 
limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described 
in the specified ALS, as applicable. Revising the AMP constitutes 
terminating action for the requirement to record accomplishment of the 
actions of replacing components before exceeding their life limits and 
accomplishing maintenance tasks within thresholds and intervals 
specified in the applicable ALS as required by EASA AD 2025-0079 for 
demonstration of AD compliance on a continued basis.
    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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    EASA AD 2025-0079 applies to Safran Model Arriel 2D, 2E, 2H, 2L2, 
and 2N engines, whereas this AD applies to Safran Model Arriel 2E 
engines. The ALS revisions required by this AD do not include Safran 
Model Arriel 2D engines, and Safran Model Arriel 2H, 2L2, and 2N 
engines do not have an FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 136 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry.
    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 and the existing         1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $11,560
 approved AMP.                           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:

2026-15-03 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Turbomeca S.A.): Amendment 39-23415; Docket No. 
FAA-2025-2557; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00533-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3, 
2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (type 
certificate previously

[[Page 47946]]

held by Turbomeca S.A.) Model Arriel 2E engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine 
Section.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the determination that new or more 
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. 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 consequent reduced control of 
the helicopter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, 
perform all required actions within the compliance times specified 
in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 
2025-0079, dated April 10, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0079).
    (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) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0079

    (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0079 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), 
(2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2025-0079.
    (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0079 requires revising 
the approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) within 12 months 
after the effective date of EASA AD 2025-0079, this AD requires 
incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, 
including life limits and maintenance tasks, into the existing 
approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 
days after the effective date of this AD.
    (4) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2025-0079.

(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After performing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, 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. Publications'' section of 
EASA AD 2025-0079.

(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 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 2025-0079, 
dated April 10, 2025.
    (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]; website: easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) You may view this material 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 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].

    Issued on July 14, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-15369 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]
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