DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0184; Product Identifier 2018-NE-07-AD; Amendment
39-19248; AD 2018-07-17]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arrius 2B1, 2B1A, 2B2, and 2K1
turboshaft engines. This AD requires inspecting the power turbine wheel
(PTW) assembly and replacing the PTW if the turbine blade dampers are
found missing. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer reporting a
number of PTW assemblies may have been assembled without the blade
dampers. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 27, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 27,
2018.
We must receive comments on this AD by May 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions
for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this final rule, contact
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05
59 74 40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Standards 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 on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0184.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0184;
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), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: robert.green@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2018-0044, dated February 14, 2018 (referred to after this as the
MCAI), to address an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:

During an ARRIUS 2B2 engine ground run check, the ``Degrade''
indicator illuminated and unusual vibration occurred. At the same
time, bluish smoke and debris came out of the exhaust pipe. Both
engines were shut down without further occurrences.
Investigations at Safran Helicopter Engines revealed that
missing dampers on the PTW assembly caused rupture of PTW blades.
Further investigations identified a batch of potentially affected
PTW.
The dampers on the PTW blades reduce the mechanical stress
exerted on the blades. With no dampers, mechanical stress on the
blades can exceed the vibratory fatigue limit, eventually leading to
rupture of the blades.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to In Flight Shut
Down and release of low energy debris through exhaust pipe,
potentially resulting in forced landing, damage to the helicopter
and injury to occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Safran Helicopter
Engines issued the SB to provide instructions for inspection and PTW
replacement.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
replacement of potentially affected PTWs with serviceable parts.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0184.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Safran Helicopter Engines Alert Mandatory Service
Bulletin (MSB) No. A319 72 2854, Version A, dated February 9, 2018. The
MSB describes procedures for replacing the PTW. 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 the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

This product has been approved by France and is approved for
operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement
with the European Community, EASA has notified us of the unsafe
condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced
above. We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of
the same type design.

AD Requirements

This AD requires inspecting the PTW assembly and replacing the PTW
if the turbine blade dampers are found missing.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule
because the compliance time for the action is less than the time
required for public comment. EASA made a determination of an unsafe
condition warranting regulatory action and compliance within 20 flight
hours or 30 days. Therefore, we find good cause that notice and
opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable. In addition,
for the reason stated above, we find that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2018-
0184 and Product Identifier 2018-NE-07-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
final rule because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 46 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the mandated inspection.
We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need
these replacements:

On-Condition Costs

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.
We are 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and
associated appliances to Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.

Adoption of 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):