DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1043; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01295-E;
Amendment 39-22515; AD 2023-15-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, 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) Model Arrius 2B2 engines. This
AD is prompted by the manufacturer revising the airworthiness
limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual
(EMM), introducing new and more restrictive tasks and limitations for
certain life-limited parts. This AD requires revising the ALS of the
existing EMM or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the
existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by
incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals,
including life limits, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 7, 2023.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 7, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2023-1043; 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 service information identified in this final rule,
contact EASA, Konrad-denauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49
221 8999 000; email: ADs@easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.

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 (817) 222-5110. It is
also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2023-1043.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Clark, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781)
238-7088; email: kevin.m.clark@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 Arrius
2B2 engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on May 15, 2023
(88 FR 30911). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0203, dated
September 30, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0203), issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union (also
referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states that the manufacturer
published a revised ALS introducing new and more restrictive tasks and
limitations for certain life-limited parts. The more restrictive tasks
and limitations include replacing life-limited parts before exceeding
the applicable life limit, performing applicable maintenance tasks, and
revising the approved aircraft maintenance program.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require accomplishing the actions
specified in the MCAI described previously. 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-2023-1043.

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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0203, which specifies instructions
for accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable ALS,
including replacing life-limited parts, performing maintenance tasks,
and revising the existing approved aircraft maintenance program by
incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and
intervals described in the ALS.

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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

Paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0203 requires replacing each
component before exceeding the applicable life limit and, within the
thresholds and intervals, accomplishing all applicable maintenance
tasks after its effective date, this AD requires revising the ALS of
the existing EMM or ICA and the existing approved maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions
specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0203, within 90 days after
the effective date of this AD. This AD does not require compliance with
paragraphs (2) through (5) of EASA AD 2022-0203.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 185 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: