2026-19762: Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Engines

Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 186 (Monday, September 28, 2026) [Federal Register Volume 91, Number 186 (Monday, September 28, 2026)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 61133-61135] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-19762] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2026-7213; Project Identifier MCAI-2026-00150-E; Amendment 39-23470; AD 2026-19-03] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. Engines

Agency

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

Action

Final rule. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-15-03 for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model Arrius 2B2 engines. AD 2023-15-03 required revising the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the existing engine maintenance manual (EMM) or instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-15-03, the manufacturer has revised the ALS of the existing maintenance and overhaul manuals, introducing new and more restrictive instructions and maintenance tasks. This AD requires updating the ALS of the existing EMM or ICA and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Dates

This AD is effective November 2, 2026. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 2, 2026.

Addresses

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7213; 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 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, Airworthiness Products Section, 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-2026-7213.

For Further Information Contact

William McNicholas, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (781) 238-7776; email: [email protected].

Supplementary Information

Background The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2023-15-03, Amendment 39-22515 (88 FR 51223, August 3, 2023), (AD 2023-15-03). AD 2023-15-03 applied to all Safran Model Arrius 2B2 engines. AD 2023-15-03 required revising the ALS of the existing EMM or ICA and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits. The FAA issued AD 2023-15-03 to prevent failure of life-limited parts, which if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and loss of the helicopter. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2026 (91 FR 42680). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2026-0027, dated February 11, 2026 (EASA AD 2026-0027) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI states the manufacturer published a revised ALS introducing new and more restrictive tasks and limitations for certain life-limited parts. The more restrictive tasks and limitations include replacing life-limited parts before exceeding the applicable life limit, performing applicable maintenance tasks, and revising the approved aircraft maintenance program. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require updating the ALS of the existing EMM or ICA and the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2026-7213. Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs. 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. [[Page 61134]] 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 2026-0027, which specifies instructions for accomplishing the actions specified in the applicable ALS, including replacing life-limited parts, performing maintenance tasks, and revising the existing approved aircraft maintenance program by incorporating the limitations, tasks, and associated thresholds and intervals described in the ALS. 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. Differences Between This AD and the MCAI Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2026-0027 specifies revising the Aircraft Maintenance Programme within 12 months after the effective date of EASA AD 2026-0027, this AD requires revising the ALS of the existing approved engine maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD affects 212 engines installed on helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: Estimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cost per Cost on U.S. Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revise the ALS......................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $0 $85 $18,020 $85. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 has 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 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