DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1691; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01269-E;
Amendment 39-22847; AD 2024-19-05]
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) (type certificate previously
held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model Makila 1A, Makila 1A1, and Makila 1A2
engines. This AD is prompted by a determination that the accumulated
service life of certain critical parts was underestimated. This AD
requires determining the recalculated service life of certain critical
parts, replacing if necessary, and also specifies conditions for
installing the parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 26, 2024.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 26, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No.FAA-2024-1691; 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:

For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1691.

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. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1691.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bergeron, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (860) 386-1805; email: David.J.Bergeron@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 Model Makila
1A, Makila 1A1, and Makila 1A2 engines. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on June 20, 2024 (89 FR 51858). The NPRM was prompted
by EASA AD 2023-0218, dated December 19, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0218) (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 it
has been determined that the accumulated service life of certain
critical parts was underestimated. To address this potential unsafe
condition, the manufacturer published service information that
identifies the affected parts and provides instructions for
recalculating the service life and replacing the affected parts. The
MCAI specifies determining the recalculated service life of the
affected parts and replacing if necessary. The MCAI also specifies
conditions for installing the affected parts. This unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could lead to operation of the affected parts beyond the
part life, which could cause the failure of affected parts, possibly
resulting in uncontained debris release with consequent damage to the
helicopter and reduced control of the helicopter.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require determining the
recalculated service life of certain critical parts, replacing the
parts if necessary, and specified conditions for installing the parts.
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-2024-1691.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

Conclusion

These products have been approved by the 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, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI referenced above. 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0218, which specifies determining the
recalculated service life of affected parts and replacing the affected
parts, if necessary. EASA AD 2023-0218 also specifies conditions for
installing the affected parts. 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 0 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry.

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

Estimated 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: