[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 2, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28882-28885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-12332]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0209; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00636-E;
Amendment 39-23073; AD 2025-13-07]
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) Model ARRIUS 2B2 engines. This
AD was prompted by a manufacturer review of collected data from in-
service engines that indicated the preference injector may clog over
time caused by fuel coking, which decreases the permeability of the
preference injector. This AD requires initial and repetitive non-
extinguishing tests for engine flameout and replacement of the
preference injector if necessary, a one-time modification (software
upgrade) of the electronic engine control unit (EECU) and, for certain
engines, repetitive replacements of the preference injector. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 6, 2025.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 6,
2025.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0209; 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
[[Page 28883]]
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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668
Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: [email protected].
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
You may view this material at the FAA, 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-2025-0209.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bergeron, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (860) 386-1805; email: [email protected].
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 Helicopter
Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2B2 engines. The NPRM was published
in the Federal Register on February 25, 2025 (90 FR 10617). The NPRM
was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0195R1, dated October 22, 2024 (EASA AD
2024-0195R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, which
revised EASA AD 2024-0195, dated October 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0195).
EASA AD 2024-0195 states that a manufacturer review of collected data
from in-service engines indicated that the preference injector may clog
over time caused by fuel coking, which could decrease the permeability
of the preference injector. EASA AD 2024-0195 also specifies non-
extinguishing tests and replacements of the preference injector at
reduced intervals, and upgrade of the EECU software based on two
manufacturer design changes which, in combination, reduce the clogging
rate, but do not mitigate the potential of the unsafe condition. The
manufacturer also issued service material that provided instructions
for a non-extinguishing test and replacement of the preference injector
at shorter intervals than specified in the Engine Maintenance Manual.
The manufacturer then developed an EECU software upgrade (modification
TU 173) for certain engines installed on certain helicopters, which
allows automatic accomplishment of the non-extinguishing test, and
published service material providing instructions to embody the
software upgrade on in-service engines.
EASA AD 2024-0195R1 states that EASA revised EASA AD 2024-0195 and
issued EASA AD 2024-0195R1 to retain all actions from EASA AD 2024-0195
and amend the applicable groups, because modification TU 173 is
applicable only to engines installed on Airbus Helicopters Deutschland
EC135T2, EC135T2+, EC635T2, or EC635T2+ helicopters.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require initial and repetitive
non-extinguishing tests for engine flameout and replacement of the
preference injector if necessary, a one-time modification (software
upgrade) of the EECU and, for certain engines, repetitive replacements
of the preference injector.
Clogging of the preference injector, if not detected and corrected,
and if combined with a sharp reduction in the fuel flow during the
flight after a pilot command, could lead to a flameout in the
combustion chamber, which could result in an uncommanded in-flight
shutdown of the engine and reduced control of the helicopter. 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-2025-0209.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from 1 individual commenter. The
commenter supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the civil 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, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant
data, considered any comments received, 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.
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0195R1, which specifies procedures
for initial and repetitive non-extinguishing tests, a one-time
modification (software upgrade) of the EECU, and repetitive
replacements of the preference injector. 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 186 engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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Parts Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost cost product operators
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Initial non-extinguishing test (186 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $0 $85 $15,810
engines). $85.
Repetitive non-extinguishing test (54 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = 0 85 4,590
engines). $85.
Injector replacement (186 engines)......... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = 1,819 1,904 354,144
$85.
EECU software upgrade (132 engines)........ 7 work-hours x $85 per hour = 0 595 78,540
$595.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition replacement that would be required based on the results of
any required tests. The agency has no way of determining the number of
engines that might need this on-condition replacement:
[[Page 28884]]
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Injector replacement....................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85.. $1,819 $1,904
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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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2025-13-07 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate
previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.): Amendment 39-23073; Docket No.
FAA-2025-0209; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00636-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 6, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (type
certificate previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model ARRIUS 2B2
engines.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7300, Engine Fuel
and Control.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a manufacturer review of collected data
from in-service engines that indicated the preference injector may
clog over time caused by fuel coking, which could decrease the
permeability of the preference injector. The FAA is issuing this AD
to detect and correct clogging and decreased permeability of the
preference injector due to fuel coking. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, when combined with a sharp reduction in fuel flow, could
result in a flameout in the combustion chamber, which could result
in an uncommanded in-flight shutdown of the engine and reduced
control of the helicopter.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2024-0195R1, dated October 22, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0195R1).
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0195R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0195R1 refers to its effective date, this
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0195R1.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0195R1
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation 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 International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of
this AD and email to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact David Bergeron,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (860) 386-1805; email:
[email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0195R1,
dated October 22, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999
000; email: [email protected]. You may find this material on the
EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(4) You may view this material at the FAA, Operational Safety
Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-
5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
[[Page 28885]]
Issued on June 18, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-12332 Filed 7-1-25; 8:45 am]
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