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AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
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:
- 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: ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-1691.
- 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 atregulations.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: David.J.Bergeron@faa.gov.
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:
Estimated Costs
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recalculate cycle lives | 2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 | $0 | $170 | $0 |
| Replace axial wheel 1 | 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 | 118,703 | 119,383 | 0 |
| Replace axial wheel 2 | 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 | 74,023 | 74,703 | 0 |
| Replace axial wheel 3 | 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 | 86,939 | 87,619 | 0 |
| Replace centrifugal impeller | 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 | 164,583 | 165,263 | 0 |
| Replace high-pressure turbine (HPT) disk 1 | 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 | 97,800 | 98,480 | 0 |
| Replace HPT disk 2 | 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 | 92,284 | 92,964 | 0 |
| Replace injection wheel | 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 | 76,799 | 77,479 | 0 |