AD 2018-10-01

This AD becomes effective June 11, 2018.

For service information identified in this final rule, contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., 40220 Tarnos, France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15. You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7759. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0838.

Robert Green, Aerospace Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue; phone: 781-238-7754; fax: 781-238-7199; email: robert.green@faa.gov.

We 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., Arriel 2E turboshaft engines. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2017 (82 FR 51170). The NPRM was prompted by reports of ruptured front support pins on the accessory gearbox front support. The NPRM proposed to require replacement of the accessory gearbox front support. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA AD 2016-0235, dated November 24, 2016 (referred to after this as the MCAI), to address the unsafe condition on these products. The MCAI states:

Some cases were reported of ruptured front support pins on ARRIEL 1E2 engines. That condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to the loss of the load path integrity of the engine front support. Consequently, Turboméca issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 292 72 0842 to provide instructions for the inspection of the pins and front support replacement, and EASA issued AD 2015-0064 (later revised) to require those actions. Since EASA AD 2015-0064R1 was issued, SAFRAN Helicopter Engines developed a new pin design, in order to increase the mechanical strength of the pin, through modification TU380, for ARRIEL 1E2 engines. Although no cases of front support pin rupture have been reported on ARRIEL 2E engines, since the ARRIEL 1E2 and 2E type designs have the same front support, SAFRAN Helicopter Engines decided to also apply this new pin design on ARRIEL 2E engines through modification TU197. To address this potential unsafe condition, SAFRAN Helicopter Engines decided, as precautionary measure, to replace the front support on ARRIEL 2E engines, and published MSB 292 72 2197 to provide instructions for in-service front support replacement. For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires modification of the affected engines by replacement of each pre-mod TU197 front support.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0838.

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.

We reviewed Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No. 292 72 2197, Version A, dated September 15, 2016. The MSB describes procedures for replacement of the accessory gearbox front support.

We estimate that this AD affects 28 engines installed on aircraft of U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

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.

We are 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.

This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to engines, propellers, and associated appliances to the Manager, Engine and Propeller Standards Branch, Policy and Innovation Division.

We 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 this AD:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, and

(4) 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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):