DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2017-0838; Product Identifier 2017-NE-33-AD; Amendment
39-19275; AD 2018-10-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A.,
Turboshaft Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
all
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Arriel 2E turboshaft engines. This AD
was prompted by reports of ruptured front support pins on the accessory
gearbox front support. This AD requires replacement of the accessory
gearbox front support. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD becomes effective June 11, 2018.
ADDRESSES: 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 and Propeller Standards Branch,
1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. 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-2017-0838.
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-2017-
0838; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other
information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-5527) is
Docket Operations, 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: Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer,
ECO
Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-
7199; email: robert.green@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We 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 2E turboshaft engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on November 3, 2017 (82 FR 51170). The NPRM was
prompted by reports of ruptured front support pins on the accessory
gearbox front support. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of the
accessory gearbox front support. We are issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD 2016-0235, dated November 24, 2016 (referred to after this as the
MCAI), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states:
Some cases were reported of ruptured front support pins on
ARRIEL 1E2 engines. That condition, if not detected and corrected,
could lead to the loss of the load path integrity of the engine
front support. Consequently, Turbom[eacute]ca issued Mandatory
Service Bulletin (MSB) 292 72 0842 to provide instructions for the
inspection of the pins and front support replacement, and EASA
issued AD 2015-0064 (later revised) to require those actions. Since
EASA AD 2015-0064R1 was issued, SAFRAN Helicopter Engines developed
a new pin design, in order to increase the mechanical strength of
the pin, through modification TU380, for ARRIEL 1E2 engines.
Although no cases of front support pin rupture have been reported on
ARRIEL 2E engines, since the ARRIEL 1E2 and 2E type designs have the
same front support, SAFRAN Helicopter Engines decided to also apply
this new pin design on ARRIEL 2E engines through modification TU197.
To address this potential unsafe condition, SAFRAN Helicopter
Engines decided, as precautionary measure, to replace the front
support on ARRIEL 2E engines, and published MSB 292 72 2197 to
provide instructions for in-service front support replacement. For
the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires modification of
the affected engines by replacement of each pre-mod TU197 front
support.
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-2017-0838.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the
determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.
Related Service Information
We reviewed Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Mandatory Service
Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 2197, Version A, dated September 15, 2016.
The MSB describes procedures for replacement of the accessory gearbox
front support.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 28 engines installed on aircraft
of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
Action |
Labor cost |
Parts cost |
Cost per product |
Cost on U.S. operators |
Front support replacement |
2 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$170 |
$19,731 |
$19,901 |
$557,228 |
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 the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards
Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.
Regulatory Findings
We determined that 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 to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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):
|