[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26950-26951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11665]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0341; Product Identifier MCAI-2024-00679-E]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing an NPRM that proposed to adopt a new
airworthiness directive (AD) that would have applied to all Safran
Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2F and ARRIUS 2R
engines. The NPRM was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that
revealed certain high-pressure (HP) turbine blades may contain non-
compliant porosity rates due to a change in the manufacturing process.
The NPRM would have required replacement of affected HP turbine blades.
Since the NPRM was issued, further investigation and tests demonstrated
that the non-compliant rate of porosity has no impact on the use limit
of the affected parts and the FAA has determined that the unsafe
condition no longer exists. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.
DATES: As of June 25, 2025, the proposed rule, which was published in
the Federal Register on March 13, 2025 (90 FR 11914), is withdrawn.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0341; or in person at the Docket Operations between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
AD docket contains this AD action (withdrawal), the NPRM, the mandatory
continuing airworthiness information, any comments received, and other
information. The street 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: David Bergeron, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781)
238-7157; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
Background
The FAA issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by
adding an AD for all Safran Model ARRIUS 2F and ARRIUS 2R engines. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 13, 2025 (90 FR
11914). The NPRM was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that
revealed certain HP turbine blades may contain non-compliant porosity
rates due to a change in the manufacturing process. The NPRM proposed
to require replacement of affected HP turbine blades, as specified in
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0218R1, dated
December 19, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0218R1).
The proposed actions were intended to prevent the failure of the HP
turbine blades. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
an in-flight shutdown and a significant reduction in the control of the
helicopter.
Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued
Since issuance of the NPRM, EASA, which is the Technical Agent for
the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2024-
0218R1-CN, dated March 17, 2025 (EASA AD 2024-
[[Page 26951]]
0218R1-CN), which cancels EASA AD 2024-0218R1. EASA AD 2024-0218R1-CN
states that since EASA AD 2024-0218R1 was issued, further investigation
and tests demonstrated that the non-compliant rate of porosity has no
impact on the use limit of the affected parts, and the subsequent risk
re-assessment has shown that the safety issue addressed by the previous
EASA AD does not qualify as an unsafe condition. Therefore, the FAA has
determined that AD action is no longer appropriate.
Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes only such action and does not
preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it
commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.
Comments
The FAA received comments from two commenters, including Summit
Helicopters, Inc. and an anonymous commenter. The following presents
the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each
comment.
Request for Clarification Dependent on Issuance of New EASA AD
Summit Helicopers, Inc. requested that the FAA either cancel the
NPRM or revise to remove reference to EASA AD 2024-0218R1. Summit
Helicopters, Inc. pointed out that EASA has issued EASA AD 2024-0218R1-
CN, which cancelled EASA AD 2024-0218R1.
The FAA agrees with the request and is withdrawing the NPRM.
Request for Greater Oversight of, and Transparency From, the
Manufacturer
An anonymous commenter discussed numerous topics affecting the
NPRM, especially requesting that the FAA require greater oversight of,
and transparency from, the engine manufacturer. Additional topics
included specialized training for technicians, environmental
considerations, emergency preparedness, publication of root cause
analysis reports, cost burden for operators, health and safety
standards and equipment, and alignment of future oversight with
international best practices and quality management standards.
The FAA agrees that all the discussed topics may have had an impact
should the NPRM have continued to become a final rule. However, because
the NPRM is withdrawn, the discussion and requests are no longer
necessary.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the NPRM is
unnecessary. Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.
Regulatory Findings
Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed
nor a final rule and therefore is not covered under Executive Order
12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Withdrawal
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking (Docket No. FAA-
2025-0341), which was published in the Federal Register on March 13,
2025 (90 FR 11914), is withdrawn.
Issued on June 18, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-11665 Filed 6-24-25; 8:45 am]
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