Proposed Rule2026-00933
Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Engines
Primary source
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Published
January 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-24-02, which applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2F engines. AD 2024-24-02 requires removal of the affected fuel control unit (FCU) from service and replacement with a serviceable part. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-24-02, it was determined that certain serial numbers of the affected FCUs are not subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require removal of the affected FCU from service and replacement with a serviceable part. This proposed AD would also reduce the number of affected FCUs. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2319-2321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00933]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 12 / Tuesday, January 20, 2026 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 2319]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0016; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01450-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2024-24-02, which applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A.
(Safran) Model ARRIUS 2F engines. AD 2024-24-02 requires removal of the
affected fuel control unit (FCU) from service and replacement with a
serviceable part. Since the FAA issued AD 2024-24-02, it was determined
that certain serial numbers of the affected FCUs are not subject to the
unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require removal of
the affected FCU from service and replacement with a serviceable part.
This proposed AD would also reduce the number of affected FCUs. The FAA
is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by March 6, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0016; 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:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; phone: +49 221 8999 000; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#de9f9aad9ebbbfadbff0bbabacb1aebff0bbab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f4b5b087b491958795da9181869b8495da9181">[email protected]</span></a>; website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material
on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
<bullet> 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bfdbdec9d6db91d591dddacdd8dacdd0d1ffd9dede91d8d0c9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ceaaafb8a7aae0a4e0acabbca9abbca1a08ea8afafe0a9a1b8">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-0016; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01450-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
the 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
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, 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 FAA issued AD 2024-24-02, Amendment 39-22892 (89 FR 92789,
November 25, 2024), (AD 2024-24-02), for all Safran Model ARRIUS 2F
engines. AD 2024-24-02 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA,
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European
Union. EASA issued EASA Emergency AD 2024-0202-E, dated October 22,
2024 (EASA Emergency AD 2024-0202-E), to correct an unsafe condition
identified as a missing lubricating and balancing groove on one of the
bearings of the FCU fuel pump related to a non-conforming manufacturing
process.
AD 2024-24-02 requires removal of the affected FCU from service and
replacement with a serviceable part. The FAA issued AD 2024-24-02 to
detect and correct missing lubricating and balancing grooves on the
bearings of the FCU fuel pump.
Actions Since AD 2024-24-02 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2024-24-02, EASA superseded EASA Emergency
[[Page 2320]]
AD 2024-0202-E and issued EASA AD 2024-0202R1, dated September 8, 2025
(EASA AD 2024-0202R1) (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states
that since EASA Emergency AD 2024-0202-E was issued, the manufacturing
cards were reviewed and it was determined that certain serial numbers
were not subject to the non-conforming manufacturing process.
The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct missing
lubricating and balancing grooves on the bearings of the FCU fuel pump
and reduce the number of affected serial numbers. The unsafe condition,
if not addressed, could result in an uncommanded in-flight shut-down
and a significant reduction of the control of a single engine
helicopter.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0016.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0202R1, which specifies procedures
for replacement of the affected parts with serviceable parts. The MCAI
also specifies prohibiting installation of affected parts on an engine.
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 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 is issuing this NPRM
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 retain all requirements of AD 2024-24-02.
This proposed AD would reduce the number of affected FCUs. This
proposed AD would also require accomplishing the actions specified in
the material already described.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the FAA proposes
to incorporate EASA AD 2024-0202R1 by reference in the FAA final rule.
This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with EASA AD
2024-0202R1 in its entirety through that incorporation, except for any
differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this
proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the heading of a
particular section EASA AD 2024-0202R1 does not mean that operators
need comply only with that section. For example, where the AD
requirement refers to ``all required actions and compliance times,''
compliance with this AD requirement is not limited to the section
titled ``Required Action(s) and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2024-
0202R1. Material required by EASA AD 2024-0202R1 for compliance will be
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-0016 after the
FAA final rule is published.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect five 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
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Replace the FCU.......................... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $20,650 $20,735 $103,675
= $85.
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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 that the 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(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive AD 2024-24-02, Amendment 39-22892
(89 FR 92789, November 25, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
[[Page 2321]]
Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by
Turbomeca, S.A.): Docket No. FAA-2026-0016; Project Identifier MCAI-
2025-01450-E.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 6, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2024-24-02, Amendment 39-22892 (89 FR 92789,
November 25, 2024) (AD 2024-24-02).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type
Certificate previously held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Model ARRIUS 2F
Engines, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2024-0202R1, dated September 8, 2025 (EASA AD 2024-
0202R1).
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7314, Engine Fuel
Pump.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of an uncommanded in-flight
shut-down (IFSD) of a Safran Model ARRIUS 2F engine, followed by an
investigation that revealed the IFSD was due to a missing
lubricating and balancing groove on one of the bearings of the fuel
control unit (FCU) fuel pump related to a non-conforming
manufacturing process, and the determination that certain serial
numbers of the affected FCUs are not affected by the unsafe
condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct missing
lubricating and balancing grooves on the bearings of the FCU fuel
pump and reduce the number of affected serial numbers. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in an uncommanded IFSD and
a significant reduction of the control of a single engine
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: Do all
required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with EASA AD 2024-0202R1.
(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0202R1
(1) Where EASA AD 2024-0202R1 refers to ``October 24, 2024 [the
effective date of the original issue of this AD],'' this AD requires
using December 10, 2024 (the effective date of AD 2024-24-02).
(2) Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2024-
0202R1 specifies to return the FCU to a Repair Center approved by
Safran Helicopter Engines, this AD requires removing those parts
from service.
(3) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2024-0202R1.
(i) No Reporting Requirement
Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2024-
0202R1 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#6f2e22202c2f090e0e41080019"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3475797b77745255551a535b42">[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#5034312639347e3a7e3235223735223f3e103631317e373f26"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4a0a5b2ada0eaaeeaa6a1b6a3a1b6abaa84a2a5a5eaa3abb2">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 AD 2024-0202R1, dated
September 8, 2025.
(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#e2a3a691a287839183cc8797908d9283cc8797"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2f6e6b5c6f4a4e5c4e014a5a5d405f4e014a5a">[email protected]</span></a>; 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 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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2c4d08ccbccd1d2c7c1d6cbcdcce2ccc3d0c38cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="87e1f5a9eee9f4f7e2e4f3eee8e9c7e9e6f5e6a9e0e8f1">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 14, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-00933 Filed 1-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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