2026-15-03: Turbine Section

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-15-03 Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Turbomeca S.A.): Amendment 39-23415; Docket No. FAA-2025-2557; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00533-E. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 3, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all Safran Helicopter Engines, S.A. (type certificate previously held by Turbomeca S.A.) Model Arriel 2E engines. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7250, Turbine Section. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by the determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of life-limited parts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of one or more engines, loss of thrust control, and consequent reduced control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, perform all required actions within the compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency AD 2025-0079, dated April 10, 2025 (EASA AD 2025-0079). (2) The action required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0079 (1) Where EASA AD 2025-0079 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) This AD does not require compliance with paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) of EASA AD 2025-0079. (3) Where paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0079 requires revising the approved aircraft maintenance program (AMP) within 12 months after the effective date of EASA AD 2025-0079, this AD requires incorporating the actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits and maintenance tasks, into the existing approved maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD. (4) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2025-0079. (i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals After performing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions and associated thresholds and intervals, including life limits, are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of the "Ref. Publications" section of EASA AD 2025-0079. (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: AMOC@faa.gov. (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: david.j.bergeron@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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 2025-0079, dated April 10, 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: ADs@easa.europa.eu; website: 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on July 14, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-15369 Filed 7-29-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P