DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1038; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00569-E;
Amendment 39-21496; AD 2021-08-02]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Turboshaft 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) Arriel 2D and Arriel 2E model
turboshaft engines. This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising
the maintenance and overhaul manuals to introduce new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks. This AD
requires the replacement of certain critical parts before reaching
their published in-service life limits, performing scheduled
maintenance tasks before reaching their published periodicity, and
performing unscheduled maintenance tasks when the engine meets certain
conditions. As a terminating action, this AD requires operators to
revise the airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of their existing
approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by incorporating the
revised airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 21, 2021.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of June 21,
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., 64511 Bordes--Cedex, France;
phone: (33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15. 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
(781) 238-7759. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1038.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1038; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wego Wang, Aviation Safety Engineer,
ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone:
(781) 238-7134; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: wego.wang@faa.gov.

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 Arriel 2D
and Arriel 2E model turboshaft engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on November 30, 2020 (85 FR 76492). The NPRM was
prompted by the manufacturer revising the maintenance and overhaul
manuals to introduce new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations
and maintenance tasks. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require the
replacement of certain critical parts before reaching their published
in-service life limits, performing scheduled maintenance tasks before
reaching their published periodicity, and performing unscheduled
maintenance tasks when the engine meets certain conditions specified in
the applicable Safran Arriel maintenance manual (MM) chapter. As a
terminating action, the NPRM proposed to require operators to revise
the ALS of their existing approved AMP by incorporating the revised
airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has
issued EASA AD 2018-0273, dated December 13, 2018 (referred to after
this as "the MCAI"), to address the unsafe condition on these
products. The MCAI states:

The airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks for the
SAFRAN ARRIEL 2D, ARRIEL 2E and ARRIEL 2N engines, which are
approved by EASA, are currently defined and published in the SAFRAN
ARRIEL 2 Maintenance and Overhaul Manuals, as applicable. These
instructions have been identified as mandatory for continued
airworthiness.

Failure to accomplish these instructions could result in an
unsafe condition.

SAFRAN recently revised the applicable Maintenance and Overhaul
Manuals (the applicable ALS), introducing new and/or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks.

For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires
accomplishment of the actions specified in the applicable ALS.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2020-1038.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

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 Section 05-10-00, Airworthiness Limitations, of
Chapter 05, Airworthiness Limitations--Frequencies--Inspections, of the
Safran Helicopter Engines ARRIEL 2D Maintenance Manual, Volume 1, No. X
292 R1 450 2, Update No. 20, dated June 15, 2020. Safran Helicopter
Engines ARRIEL 2D Maintenance Manual No. X292 R1 450 2 identifies the
terms used in tables for limits and mandatory maintenance tasks, usage
counters of the engine log book, life limits for life-limited parts,
and mandatory inspection tasks to be carried out to reach the
airworthiness objectives on Safran Arriel 2D model engines.

The FAA reviewed Section 05-10-00, Airworthiness Limitations, of
Chapter 05, Airworthiness Limitations--Frequencies--Inspections, of the
Safran Helicopter Engines ARRIEL 2E Maintenance Manual No. X 292 R2 300
2, Update No. 16, dated June 15, 2020. Safran Helicopter Engines ARRIEL
2E Maintenance Manual No. X292 R2 300 2 identifies the terms used in
tables for limits and mandatory maintenance tasks, usage counters of
the engine log book, life limits for life-limited parts, and mandatory
inspection tasks to be carried out to reach the airworthiness
objectives on Safran Arriel 2E model engines.

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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 426 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry.

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

Estimated Costs

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
corrective actions that would be required based on the results of the
mandated maintenance tasks. The agency has no way of determining the
number of aircraft that might need these actions.

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.

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

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: