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2021-13-03 SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES, S.A. (TYPE CERTIFICATE PREVIOUSLY HELD BY TURBOMECA, S.A.): Amendment 39-21608; Docket No. FAA-2020-1180; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00517-E.
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 13, 2021.

(b) AFFECTED ADS

    None.

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD applies to  Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A.  (Type Certificate
    previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2,  2S1
    and  2S2  model turboshaft  engines  with a  fuel  filter pre-blockage
    pressure switch, part number 9 550  17 200 0, and serial number  (S/N)
    00001  to  12753,  inclusive,  and  S/N  A0001  to  A0247,  inclusive,
    installed.

(d) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7321, Fuel Control/Turbine
    Engines.

(e) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This  AD  was  prompted  by  reports  from  the  manufacturer  of non-
    conforming  fuel  filter pre-blockage pressure  switches  manufactured
    before December 2016. The  FAA is issuing this  AD to prevent the non-
    conformity of the fuel filter pre-blockage  pressure switch, which can
    cause its non-activation  in case of  fuel system contamination,  with
    consequent opening of the  by-pass without indication in  the cockpit.
    The unsafe condition,  if not addressed,  could result in  uncommanded
    in-flight shut-down of the  engine, an emergency autorotation  landing
    on a single engine  helicopter, or an uncommanded  in-flight shut-down
    of both engines on a twin engine helicopter.

(f) COMPLIANCE

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

(g) REQUIRED ACTIONS

(1) After the effective date of this AD, during the pre-flight  inspection
    for the first  flight  of each  day the engine  is operated, perform a
    visual inspection of the fuel filter by-pass indicator to determine if
    the fuel filter by-pass indicator pop-up has been activated.

(2) Within  the next  300 hydro-mechanical  metering unit  (HMU) operating
    hours  or 180  days after  the effective  date of  this AD,  whichever
    occurs  first, perform  an operational  test of  the fuel  filter  pre
    -blockage  pressure switch  in accordance  with Task  73-23-01-750-801
    -A01--Pre-Blockage   Pressure  Switch   of  the   Fuel  Filter   Tests
    (Electrical), dated November 30,  2012, (the Task) from  the Turbomeca
    Arriel 2 S1 Maintenance Manual.

(3) During any visual inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this  AD,
    if the  fuel filter  by-pass indicator  pop-up has  been activated or,
    during the operational test required  by paragraph (g)(2) of this  AD,
    any discrepancy  is detected  as described  by the  Task, before  next
    flight, replace the  fuel filter pre-blockage  pressure switch  with a
    part eligible for installation.

(4) The actions 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)(1) through
    (4) and  14 CFR  91.417(a)(2)(v). The  records  must  be maintained as
    required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) TERMINATING ACTION

    Passing the operational test (no failure detected) of the fuel  filter
    pre-blockage pressure switch, as required by paragraph (g)(2) of  this
    AD, or  replacement of  the fuel  filter pre-blockage  pressure switch
    with  a  part  eligible for  installation,  constitutes  a terminating
    action for  the repetitive  visual inspections  required by  paragraph
    (g)(1) of this AD for that engine.

(i) DEFINITION

    A  part  eligible  for  installation  is  a  fuel  filter pre-blockage
    pressure switch  that is  not listed  in the  Applicability, paragraph
    (c), of this  AD, or a  fuel filter pre-blockage  pressure switch that
    has passed the operational  test (no discrepancies detected)  required
    by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD.

(j) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOCS)

(1) The Manager, ECO 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 ECO Branch, send
    it to the attention of  the person identified in Related  Information.
    You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate  principal in-
    spector, or lacking  a principal inspector,  the manager of  the local
    flight standards district office/certificate holding  district office.

(k) RELATED INFORMATION

(1) For more information about this AD, 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.

(2) Refer to EASA AD 2019-0180, dated July 25, 2019, for more information.
    You   may   examine    the   EASA   AD    in   the   AD    docket   at
    https://www.regulations.gov by searching  for and locating  Docket No.
    FAA-2020-1180.

(l) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

(1) The  Director of  the Federal  Register approved  the incorporation by
    reference (IBR) of  the service information  listed in this  paragraph
    under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the  actions
    required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Task  73-23-01-750-801-A01--Pre-Blockage Pressure  Switch of  the Fuel
    Filter Tests (Electrical), dated November 30, 2012, from the Turbomeca
    Arriel 2 S1 Maintenance Manual.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For  Turbomeca  service  information  identified in  this  AD, contact
    Safran Helicopter Engines,  S.A., Avenue du  1er Mai, Tarnos,  France;
    phone: +33 (0) 5 59 74 40 00.

(4) You may view this  service information at 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.

(5) You may view this  service information that is  incorporated by refer-
    ence at the National  Archives and Records Administration  (NARA). For
    information  on  the availability  of  this material  at  NARA, email:
    fedreg.legal@nara.gov,  or  go  to:   https://www.archives.gov/federal
    -register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Issued  on  July 1,  2021.  Ross Landes,  Deputy  Director for  Regulatory
Operations, Compliance  & Airworthiness  Division, Aircraft  Certification
Service.

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.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1180; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00517-E;
Amendment 39-21608; AD 2021-13-03]
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran Helicopter Engines)
Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1 and 2S2 model turboshaft engines.
This AD was prompted by reports of non-conforming fuel filter pre-
blockage pressure switches. This AD requires repetitive visual
inspections of the fuel filter by-pass indicator pop-up, a one-time
operational test of the fuel filter pre-blockage pressure switch and,
depending on the findings, replacement of the fuel filter pre-blockage
pressure switch with a part eligible for installation. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 13, 2021.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 13, 2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Avenue du 1er Mai, Tarnos,
France; phone: +33 (0) 5 59 74 45 11. 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-2020-1180.

Examining the AD Docket


You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1180; 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 certain Safran
Helicopter Engines Arriel 2B, 2B1, 2C, 2C1, 2C2, 2S1 and 2S2 model
turboshaft engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on
February 22, 2021 (86 FR 10501). The NPRM was prompted by reports of
non-conforming fuel filter pre-blockage pressure switches. In the NPRM,
the FAA proposed to require repetitive visual inspections of the fuel
filter by-pass indicator pop-up, a one-time operational test of the
fuel filter pre-blockage pressure switch and, depending on the
findings, replacement of the fuel filter pre-blockage pressure switch
with a part eligible for installation. 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 2019-0180, dated July 25, 2019 (referred to after this
as "the MCAI"), to address the unsafe condition on these products.
The MCAI states:

Occurrences have been reported of non-conforming fuel filter
pre-blockage pressure switches, manufactured before December 2016.
The non-conformity of the fuel filter pre-blockage pressure switch
can cause its non-activation in case of fuel system contamination,
with consequent opening of the by-pass without indication in the
cockpit.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, and in case of
fuel contamination, could lead to an uncommanded in-flight shut-
down, possibly resulting in an emergency autorotation landing on a
single engine helicopter, or to a double uncommanded in-flight shut-
down on a twin engine helicopter.

To address this potential unsafe condition, SAFRAN issued the
MSB, providing inspection instructions.

For the reasons described above, this [EASA AD] requires
repetitive daily visual checks of the fuel filter by-pass indicator
pop-up. This [EASA] AD also requires a one-
time operational check of the affected part and, depending on
findings, replacement of that part, which constitutes terminating
action for the repetitive daily checks as required by this [EASA] AD.

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-2020-1180.

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
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51


The FAA reviewed Task 73-23-01-750-801-A01--Pre-Blockage Pressure
Switch of the Fuel Filter Tests (Electrical), dated November 30, 2012,
from the Turbomeca Arriel 2 S1 Maintenance Manual. Task 73-23-01-750-
801-A01 provides instructions for performing an operational test of the
fuel filter pre-blockage pressure switch. 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.

Other Related Service Information


The FAA reviewed Safran Helicopter Engines Mandatory Service
Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 73 2869, Version B, dated December 2018. The MSB
describes procedures for identifying and securing pre-blockage pressure
switches of fuel filter part number P/N 9 550 17 200 0, which are
potentially non-conforming.

Justification for Allowing Pilot To Perform Visual Inspection


This final rule allows the visual inspections required by paragraph
(g)(1) of this AD to be performed by an aircrew member holding at least
a private pilot certificate. Performing a visual inspection to
determine if the fuel filter by-pass indicator pop-up has been
activated is not considered an action that must be performed by a
certified person under 14 CFR 43.3. This authorization is an exception
to our standard maintenance regulations.

Costs of Compliance


The FAA estimates that this AD affects 775 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry.

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

Estimated Costs

ACTION
LABOR COST
PARTS COST
COST PER PRODUCT
COST ON U.S. OPERATORS
Visual inspection of fuel filter by-pass indicator. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.
$0
$85
$65,875
Operational test of the fuel filter pre-blockage pressure switch. 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.
0
255
197,625

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

On-Condition Costs

ACTION
LABOR COST
PARTS COST
COST PER PRODUCT
Replace fuel filter pre-blockage pressure switch. 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.
$225
$395

The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.

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: