Rule2026-08225
Airworthiness Directives; Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.) Engines
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 28, 2026
Effective
June 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-24-02 for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2F engines. AD 2024-24-02 required 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 AD requires removal of the affected FCU from service and replacement with a serviceable part. This AD also reduces the number of affected FCUs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)</title>
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<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22710-22712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08225]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0016; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01450-E;
Amendment 39-23320; AD 2026-08-12]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2024-24-02
for all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Safran) Model ARRIUS 2F
engines. AD 2024-24-02 required 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 AD requires removal of the affected FCU from service and
replacement with a serviceable part. This AD also reduces the number of
affected FCUs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective June 2, 2026.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 2,
2026.
ADDRESSES:
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 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 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b0a0f380b2e2a382a652e3e39243b2a652e3e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7233360132171301135c1707001d02135c1707">[email protected]</span></a>;
website: easa.europa.eu. You may find this material on the EASA website
at ad.easa.europa.eu.
[[Page 22711]]
<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. It
is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2026-0016.
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#5f3b3e29363b7135713d3a2d383a2d30311f393e3e71383029"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e68287908f82c88cc88483948183948988a6808787c8818990">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2024-24-02, Amendment 39-22892 (89 FR
92789, November 25, 2024), (AD 2024-24-02). AD 2024-24-02 applied to
all Safran Model ARRIUS 2F engines. AD 2024-24-02 required 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.
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on January 20, 2026
(91 FR 2319). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2024-0202R1, dated
September 8, 2025 (EASA AD 2024-0202R1) (also referred to as the MCAI),
issued by EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of
the European Union. EASA AD 2024-0202R1 superseded EASA Emergency AD
2024-0202-E, dated October 22, 2024 (EASA Emergency AD 2024-0202-E).
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.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain all of the requirements of
AD 2024-24-02. The NPRM proposed to require removal of the affected FCU
from service and replacement with a serviceable part, and proposed to
reduce the number of affected FCUs, as specified in the MCAI.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0016.
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 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. 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 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.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects five engines installed on
helicopters of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
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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 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
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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]
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2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
[[Page 22712]]
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a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2024-24-02, Amendment 39-22892 (89
FR 92789, November 25, 2024); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2026-08-12 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Turbomeca, S.A.): Amendment 39-23320; Docket No.
FAA-2026-0016; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01450-E.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 2, 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)
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#30717d7f73705651511e575f46"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="40010d0f03002621216e272f36">[email protected]</span></a>. 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#0b6f6a7d626f256125696e796c6e7964654b6d6a6a256c647d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="274346514e43094d0945425540425548496741464609404851">[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 (EASA) 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#9ddcd9eeddf8fceefcb3f8e8eff2edfcb3f8e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3c7d784f7c595d4f5d1259494e534c5d125949">[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#4b2d39652225383b2e283f2224250b252a392a652c243d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f190d5116110c0f1a1c0b1610113f111e0d1e51181009">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on April 20, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-08225 Filed 4-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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