[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 84272-84274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24365]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-1691; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01269-E; 
Amendment 39-22847; AD 2024-19-05]
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) (type certificate previously 
held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model Makila 1A, Makila 1A1, and Makila 1A2 
engines. This AD is prompted by a determination that the accumulated 
service life of certain critical parts was underestimated. This AD 
requires determining the recalculated service life of certain critical 
parts, replacing if necessary, and also specifies conditions for 
installing the parts, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 26, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 26, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No.FAA-2024-1691; 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:
    <bullet> For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 
000; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0243467142676371632c6777706d72632c6777"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="19585d6a597c786a78377c6c6b766978377c6c">[email protected]</span></a>; website: ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also 
available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1691.
    <bullet> 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-2024-1691.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bergeron, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (860) 386-1805; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90d4f1e6f9f4bedabed2f5e2f7f5e2fffed0f6f1f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da9ebbacb3bef490f498bfa8bdbfa8b5b49abcbbbbf4bdb5ac">[email protected]</span></a>.

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 Model Makila 
1A, Makila 1A1, and Makila 1A2 engines. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on June 20, 2024 (89 FR 51858). The NPRM was prompted 
by EASA AD 2023-0218, dated December 19, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0218) (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 that it 
has been determined that the accumulated service life of certain 
critical parts was underestimated. To address this potential unsafe 
condition, the manufacturer published service information that 
identifies the affected parts and provides instructions for 
recalculating the service life and replacing the affected parts. The 
MCAI specifies determining the recalculated service life of the 
affected parts and replacing if necessary. The MCAI also specifies 
conditions for installing the affected parts. This unsafe condition, if 
not addressed, could lead to operation of the affected parts beyond the 
part life, which could cause the failure of affected parts, possibly 
resulting in uncontained debris release with consequent damage to the 
helicopter and reduced control of the helicopter.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require determining the 
recalculated service life of certain critical parts, replacing the 
parts if necessary, and specified conditions for installing the parts. 
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-2024-1691.

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 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 reviewed the relevant data 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2023-0218, which specifies determining the 
recalculated service life of affected parts and replacing the affected 
parts, if necessary. EASA AD 2023-0218 also specifies conditions for 
installing the affected parts. 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 0 engines installed on 
helicopters of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 84273]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recalculate cycle lives..................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0         $170              $0
                                            = $170.
Replace axial wheel 1....................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour      118,703      119,383               0
                                            = $680.
Replace axial wheel 2....................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour       74,023       74,703               0
                                            = $680.
Replace axial wheel 3....................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour       86,939       87,619               0
                                            = $680.
Replace centrifugal impeller.............  8 work-hours x $85 per hour      164,583      165,263               0
                                            = $680.
Replace high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk   8 work-hours x $85 per hour       97,800       98,480               0
 1.                                         = $680.
Replace HPT disk 2.......................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour       92,284       92,964               0
                                            = $680.
Replace injection wheel..................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour       76,799       77,479               0
                                            = $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2024-19-05 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.): Amendment 39-22847; Docket No. 
FAA-2024-1691; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01269-E.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 26, 
2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (type 
certificate previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model Makila 1A, 
Makila 1A1, and Makila 1A2 engines.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7200, Engine 
(Turbine/Turboprop).

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the accumulated 
service life of certain critical parts was underestimated. The FAA 
is issuing this AD to prevent failure of critical parts. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in uncontained release of 
high-energy debris from the engine, with consequent damage to the 
engine, damage to the helicopter, 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 paragraph (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 
2023-0218, dated December 19, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0218).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0218

    (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0218 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0218 specifies to return certain parts to the manufacturer, this AD 
requires removing those parts from service.
    (3) This AD does not adopt the Remarks paragraph of EASA AD 
2023-0218.
    (4) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-
0218 specifies contacting the manufacturer for additional cycles for 
certain parts, this AD requires contacting the Manager, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, for additional cycles for 
certain parts, if those parts are installed on aircraft of U.S. 
Registry.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0218 
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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#77363a38343711161659101801"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da9b9795999abcbbbbf4bdb5ac">[email protected]</span></a>.
    (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: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b2d6d3c4dbd69cd89cd0d7c0d5d7c0dddcf2d4d3d39cd5ddc4">[email protected]</a>.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of

[[Page 84274]]

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 2023-0218, 
dated December 19, 2023.
    (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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1455506754717567753a7161667b64753a7161"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1a5b5e695a7f7b697b347f6f68756a7b347f6f">[email protected]</span></a>; website: ad.easa.europa.eu. You may 
find this EASA AD on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (4) 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.
    (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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ea8c98c48384999a8f899e838584aa848b988bc48d859c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="264054084f4855564345524f4948664847544708414950">[email protected]</span></a>.

    Issued on September 13, 2024.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-24365 Filed 10-21-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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