AD 2021-08-02

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 21, 2021.

None.

This AD applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) (Type Certificate previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Arriel 2D and Arriel 2E model turboshaft engines.

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine Section.

This AD was prompted by the manufacturer revising the maintenance and overhaul manuals to introduce new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations and maintenance tasks. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the engine. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of a critical part, damage to the engine, and damage to the helicopter.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) Replace each critical part before reaching the in-service life limits specified in paragraph 1.C., “Table of authorized in-service life limits for the ARRIEL 2D,” or “Table of authorized in-service life limits for the ARRIEL 2E,” Chapter 05-10-00 of the Safran ARRIEL Maintenance Manual (MM) for that engine.

(2) Before reaching the periodicity specified in paragraph 1., “Tables of Mandatory Maintenance Tasks,” table D., “Scheduled inspection,” Chapter 05-10-00 of the Safran ARRIEL MM for that engine, perform all maintenance tasks specified in table D.

(3) When the engine meets the conditions specified in paragraph 1., “Tables of Mandatory Maintenance Tasks,” table E., “Unscheduled inspection,” Chapter 05-10-00 of the Safran ARRIEL MM for that engine, perform the maintenance tasks specified in table E.

(4) If, during performance of the maintenance tasks required by paragraph (g)(2) or (3) of this AD, a discrepancy is found, as defined in the applicable airworthiness limitation section (ALS), perform the corrective actions specified in paragraph 1., “Tables of Mandatory Maintenance Tasks,” table D., “Scheduled inspection,” or table E. “Unscheduled inspection,” Chapter 05-10-00 of the Safran ARRIEL MM for the engine.

(5) If no compliance time is identified in Chapter 05-10-00 of the Safran ARRIEL MM, perform the corrective action before further flight.

Where the applicable Safran ARRIEL MM chapters provide instructions to send the Module 03 to a Safran Helicopter Engines-approved repair center, the operator may choose to send the Module 03 to any FAA-approved repair center capable of performing the required actions.

As terminating action to the requirements in paragraph (g) of this AD, within 365 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the ALS of the existing approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) by incorporating:

(i) Task 05-10-00-150-801-A01, “Airworthiness Limitations—General,” from the applicable Safran ARRIEL MM chapter.

(ii) Task 05-10-00-200-801-A01, “Airworthiness Limitations—Authorized In-Service Life Limits,” from the applicable Safran ARRIEL MM chapter.

(iii) Task 05-10-10-200-801-A01, “Airworthiness Limitations—Tables of Mandatory Maintenance Tasks,” from the applicable Safran ARRIEL MM chapter.

(1) For the purpose of this AD, a “critical part” is a part identified in paragraph 1.C., “Table of authorized in-service life limits for the ARRIEL 2D,” or “Table of authorized in-service life limits for the ARRIEL 2E,” Chapter 05-10-00 of the Safran ARRIEL MM for that engine.

(2) For the purpose of this AD, the “Chapter 05-10-00 of the Safran ARRIEL MM” is:

(i) Chapter 05-10-00 of Safran Aircraft Engines ARRIEL 2D MM No. X292 R1 450 2, Update No. 20, dated June 15, 2020; or

(ii) Chapter 05-10-00 of Safran Aircraft Engines ARRIEL 2E MM No. X292 R2 300 2, Update No. 16, dated June 15, 2020.

(3) For the purpose of this AD, the “approved maintenance program” is defined as the basis for which the operator ensures the continuing airworthiness of each operated helicopter.

(1) For affected Safran Arriel 2D model turboshaft engines, you may take credit for revising the ALS of the existing approved AMP that is required by paragraph (i) of this AD if you incorporated the tasks before the effective date of this AD using Chapter 05-10-00 of Safran ARRIEL 2D MM No. X292 R1 450 2, Update No. 19, dated December 30, 2019.

(2) For affected Safran Arriel 2E model turboshaft engines, you may take credit for revising the ALS of the existing approved AMP that is required by paragraph (i) of this AD if you incorporated the tasks before the effective date of this AD using Chapter 05-10-00 of Safran ARRIEL 2E MM No. X292 R2 300 2, Update No. 15, dated December 30, 2019.

(1) The Manager, ECO 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in Related Information. You may email your request to: ANE-AD-AMOC@faa.gov.

(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.

(1) For more information about this AD, contact Wego Wang, Aviation Safety Engineer, ECO Branch, FAA, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: (781) 238-7134; fax: (781) 238-7199; email: wego.wang@faa.gov.

(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-0273, dated December 13, 2018, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2020-1038.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Section 05-10-00, Airworthiness Limitations, of Chapter 05, Airworthiness Limitations—Frequencies—Inspections, of the Safran Helicopter Engines ARRIEL 2D Maintenance Manual, Volume 1, No. X 292 R1 450 2, Update No. 20, dated June 15, 2020.

(ii) Section 05-10-00, Airworthiness Limitations, of Chapter 05, Airworthiness Limitations—Frequencies—Inspections, of the Safran Helicopter Engines ARRIEL 2E Maintenance Manual, Volume 1, No. X 292 R2 300 2, Update No. 16, dated June 15, 2020.

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A., 64511 Bordes—Cedex, France; phone: (33) 05 59 74 40 00; fax: (33) 05 59 74 45 15.

(4) You may view this service information at 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 (781) 238-7759.

(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.