Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Engines, 11914-11916 [2025-03983]

Download as PDF 11914 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 48 / Thursday, March 13, 2025 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2025–0341; Project Identifier MCAI–2024–00679–E] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Engines Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2F and ARRIUS 2R engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed certain highpressure (HP) turbine blades may contain non-compliant porosity rates due to a change in the manufacturing process. This proposed AD would require replacement of affected HP turbine blades, 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: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by April 28, 2025. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: (202) 493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2025–0341; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:47 Mar 12, 2025 Jkt 265001 • For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-AdenauerUfer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email: ADs@ easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bergeron, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (860) 386–1805; email: david.j.bergeron@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2025–0341; Project Identifier MCAI–2024–00679–E’’ at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to David Bergeron, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 2024–0218, dated November 18, 2024 (EASA AD 2024–0218), to correct an unsafe condition on all Safran Model ARRIUS 2F and ARRIUS 2R engines. EASA AD 2024–0218 states that a manufacturer investigation revealed certain HP turbine blades may have a weakened mechanical strength and be susceptible to premature rupture due to non-compliant porosity rates caused by a change in the manufacturing process. Since EASA issued EASA AD 2024– 0218, Safran published a revised service bulletin to increase the use limits from 2,500 engine cycles to 4,500 engine cycles (ARRIUS 2F engines) and from 5,000 engine cycles to 9,000 engine cycles (ARRIUS 2R engines). Based on this, EASA issued EASA AD 2024– 0218R1, dated December 19, 2024 (EASA AD 2024–0218R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). The weakened mechanical strength and potential premature rupture of HP turbine blades, if not corrected, could lead to an inflight shutdown and a significant reduction of the control of the helicopter. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA–2025–0341. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024– 0218R1, which specifies procedures for replacement of the affected HP turbine blades with serviceable HP turbine blades. 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. FAA’s Determination 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 is issuing this NPRM E:\FR\FM\13MRP1.SGM 13MRP1 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 48 / Thursday, March 13, 2025 / Proposed Rules after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the material already described, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD. 11915 Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 127 engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: ESTIMATED COSTS Action Labor cost Replace HP turbine blades ................. 40 work-hours × $85 per hour = $3,400 ........................... khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS 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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed regulation: (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Executive Order 12866, (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:47 Mar 12, 2025 Jkt 265001 Parts cost The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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(f), 40113, 44701. Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca S.A.): Docket No. FAA– 2025–0341; Project Identifier MCAI– 2024–00679–E. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by April 28, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (type certificate previously held by Turbomeca S.A) (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2F and ARRIUS 2R engines, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024–0218R1, dated December 19, 2024 (EASA AD 2024–0218R1). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that revealed certain highpressure (HP) turbine blades may have a weakened mechanical strength, making them susceptible to premature rupture due to noncompliant porosity rates caused by a change in the manufacturing process. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the HP turbine blades. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 $13,544,550 shutdown and a significant reduction in the control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. 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 EASA AD 2024– 0218R1. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024–0218R1 [Amended] 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: ■ PO 00000 $106,650 Cost on U.S. operators (g) Required Actions ■ § 39.13 $103,250 Cost per product Sfmt 4702 (1) Where EASA AD 2024–0218R1 requires compliance from its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where EASA AD 2024–0218R1 defines a serviceable part as ‘‘A HP turbine blade, eligible for installation in accordance with SAFRAN instructions, that is not an affected part,’’ this AD requires replacing that text with ‘‘Any HP turbine blade, eligible for installation, that is not an affected part.’’ (3) This AD does not adopt the ‘‘Remarks’’ section of EASA AD 2024–0218R1. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2024–0218R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 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: AMOC@faa.gov. (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: david.j.bergeron@faa.gov. E:\FR\FM\13MRP1.SGM 13MRP1 11916 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 48 / Thursday, March 13, 2025 / Proposed Rules (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) Emergency AD 2024–0218R1, dated December 19, 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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: easa.europa.eu. 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on March 6, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025–03983 Filed 3–12–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA–2025–0345; Project Identifier MCAI–2024–00475–T] RIN 2120–AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). AGENCY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022–27–01, which applies to certain Airbus SAS Model A350–941 and –1041 airplanes. AD 2022–27–01 requires replacing affected fasteners and applying additional head nut cap protection at the front and rear spars in the center wing box (CWB). Since the FAA issued AD 2022–27–01, the FAA determined that additional Airbus SAS Model A350 manufacturer serial numbers (MSNs) are affected by the same potential unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:47 Mar 12, 2025 Jkt 265001 the actions in AD 2022–27–01 and would expand the applicability to include the additional Airbus SAS Model A350 MSNs, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is proposed for incorporation by reference (IBR). The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 2025. ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 202–493–2251. • Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. • Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov Docket No. FAA–2025–0345; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. Material Incorporated by Reference: • For EASA material identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, KonradAdenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website 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– 2025–0345. • You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206–231–3225; email Dan.Rodina@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 under the ADDRESSES section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2025–0345; Project Identifier MCAI–2024–00475–T’’ at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Dan Rodina, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206–231–3225; email Dan.Rodina@ faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The FAA issued AD 2022–27–01, Amendment 39–22286 (87 FR 80026, December 29, 2022) (AD 2022–27–01), for certain Airbus SAS Model A350–941 and –1041 airplanes. AD 2022–27–01 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2022–0080, dated May 9, 2022, to correct an unsafe condition. AD 2022–27–01 requires replacing affected fasteners and applying additional head nut cap protection at the front and rear spars in the CWB, as E:\FR\FM\13MRP1.SGM 13MRP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 48 (Thursday, March 13, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11914-11916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03983]



[[Page 11914]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0341; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00679-E]
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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2F and 
ARRIUS 2R engines. This proposed AD 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. This proposed AD would require replacement of 
affected HP turbine blades, 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: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by April 28, 2025.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0341; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
     For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: [email protected]; website: easa.europa.eu. 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.

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:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-0341; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2024-00679-E'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The 
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to David 
Bergeron, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 
410, Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European Union, has issued EASA AD 2024-0218, dated November 18, 2024 
(EASA AD 2024-0218), to correct an unsafe condition on all Safran Model 
ARRIUS 2F and ARRIUS 2R engines. EASA AD 2024-0218 states that a 
manufacturer investigation revealed certain HP turbine blades may have 
a weakened mechanical strength and be susceptible to premature rupture 
due to non-compliant porosity rates caused by a change in the 
manufacturing process. Since EASA issued EASA AD 2024-0218, Safran 
published a revised service bulletin to increase the use limits from 
2,500 engine cycles to 4,500 engine cycles (ARRIUS 2F engines) and from 
5,000 engine cycles to 9,000 engine cycles (ARRIUS 2R engines). Based 
on this, EASA issued EASA AD 2024-0218R1, dated December 19, 2024 (EASA 
AD 2024-0218R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). The weakened mechanical 
strength and potential premature rupture of HP turbine blades, if not 
corrected, could lead to an in-flight shutdown and a significant 
reduction of the control of the helicopter.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0341.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0218R1, which specifies procedures 
for replacement of the affected HP turbine blades with serviceable HP 
turbine blades. 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.

FAA's Determination

    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 is issuing this NPRM

[[Page 11915]]

after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the material already described, except for any differences 
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 127 engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace HP turbine blades................  40 work-hours x $85 per         $103,250     $106,650     $13,544,550
                                            hour = $3,400.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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(f), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
Turbomeca S.A.): Docket No. FAA-2025-0341; Project Identifier MCAI-
2024-00679-E.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by April 28, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (type 
certificate previously held by Turbomeca S.A) (Safran) Model ARRIUS 
2F and ARRIUS 2R engines, as identified in European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0218R1, dated December 19, 2024 (EASA 
AD 2024-0218R1).

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a manufacturer investigation that 
revealed certain high-pressure (HP) turbine blades may have a 
weakened mechanical strength, making them susceptible to premature 
rupture due to non-compliant porosity rates caused by a change in 
the manufacturing process. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent 
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.

(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 EASA AD 2024-0218R1.

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0218R1

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0218R1 requires compliance from its 
effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this 
AD.
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0218R1 defines a serviceable part as ``A 
HP turbine blade, eligible for installation in accordance with 
SAFRAN instructions, that is not an affected part,'' this AD 
requires replacing that text with ``Any HP turbine blade, eligible 
for installation, that is not an affected part.''
    (3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0218R1.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2024-
0218R1 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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].

(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].

[[Page 11916]]

(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) Emergency AD 
2024-0218R1, dated December 19, 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]; website: easa.europa.eu. 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].

    Issued on March 6, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-03983 Filed 3-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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