|
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1311; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00624-E;
Amendment 39-22587; AD 2023-22-03]
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-08-02
for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) (type certificate
previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model Arriel 2D and Arriel 2E
engines. AD 2021-08-02 required replacing 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. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-08-02, Safran has revised the
airworthiness limitation section (ALS) of the existing maintenance and
overhaul manuals, introducing new and more restrictive instructions and
maintenance tasks, which prompted this AD action. This AD requires
updating the ALS of the existing engine maintenance manual (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. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective December 26, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 26, 2023.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1311; 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-Adenauer-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. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1311.
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.
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 to supersede AD 2021-08-02, Amendment 39-21496 (86 FR
26651, May 17, 2021), (AD 2021-08-02). AD 2021-08-02 applied to all
Safran Model Arriel 2D and Arriel 2E engines. AD 2021-08-02 required
replacing 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, AD 2021-08-02 required operators to revise the ALS
of their existing approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by
incorporating the revised airworthiness limitations and maintenance
tasks. The FAA issued AD 2021-08-02 to prevent failure of the engine.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2022 (87
FR 65535). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2022-0083, dated May 11,
2022 (EASA AD 2022-0083), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union (referred to after this as
the MCAI), which supersedes EASA AD 2018-0273, dated December 13, 2018
(EASA AD 2018-0273). The MCAI states that the manufacturer published a
revised ALS introducing new and more restrictive maintenance tasks and
airworthiness limitations. These new or more restrictive maintenance
tasks and airworthiness limitations include initial and repetitive
inspections for clogging of the power turbine air pressurization pipe.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1311.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the
operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, to incorporate new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations.
The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2021-08-02. The SNPRM published
in the Federal Register on July 14, 2023 (88 FR 45109). The SNPRM was
prompted by the FAA's determination that the NPRM contained an
inaccurate reference to a certain paragraph of EASA AD 2022-0083 and
that a reduced compliance time of 90 days is necessary. In the SNPRM,
the FAA proposed to require revising the ALS of the existing EMM or ICA
and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as
applicable, to incorporate the actions specified in paragraph (1) of
the MCAI, described previously, except as discussed under "Differences
Between this AD and the MCAI." The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM 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 SNPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2022-0083, which specifies instructions
for accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable ALS,
including performing maintenance tasks, replacing life-limited parts,
and revising the existing approved AMP by incorporating the
limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described
in the ALS.
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 ADDRESSES.
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
EASA AD 2022-0083 applies to Arriel 2D, 2E, 2H, 2L2, and 2N model
turboshaft engines, whereas this AD only applies to Model Arriel 2D and
Arriel 2E engines. Arriel 2H, 2L2, and 2N engines are not U.S. type
certificated.
Paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0083 specifies to replace each
component before exceeding the applicable life limit and, within the
thresholds and intervals, accomplishing all applicable maintenance
tasks after its effective date. Instead, 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 requirements
specified in paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2022-0083 within 90 days after
the effective date of this AD.
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
|
ACTION
|
LABOR COST
|
PARTS COST
|
COST PER PRODUCT
|
COST ON U.S. OPERATORS
|
| Revise the ALS of the existing EMM or ICA and the operator's existing approved maintenance or inspection program. |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85. |
$0
|
$85
|
$36,210
|
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
The FAA has 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 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:
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2021-08-02, Amendment 39-21496 (86
FR 26651, May 17, 2021); and
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
|