[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 125 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15860]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: June 30, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-CE-11-AD]
Airworthiness Directives: All Model Airplanes Equipped with
Turbocharged Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM).
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SUMMARY: Numerous accidents and incidents attributed to turbocharger
failure has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to more
thoroughly investigate the conditions related to these accidents.
Improper or lack of pilot action following the turbocharger failures
may have contributed to many of the accidents and incidents. In order
to adequately make a determination as to what type of action to take
(if any), the FAA is issuing this advance notice to seek comments from
interested persons regarding possible problems with airplanes equipped
with turbocharged engines. The FAA will evaluate all comments and ideas
and then research the situation to decide whether rulemaking is needed.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 23, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-
CE-11-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut Street, suite 900, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6934; facsimile (816) 426-
2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 94-CE-11-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of ANPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this ANPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-CE-11-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
From January 1986 to May 1993, the FAA received 580 service
difficulty reports relating to failures of turbocharger systems on
airplanes equipped with turbocharged engines. A study of a five-year
time period (January 1988 through May 1993) reveals 88 accidents and
incidents, resulting in 35 injuries and 6 deaths.
Several reports of these accidents, incidents, and service
difficulties indicate problems with installation, inspection,
maintenance, service, or overhaul. After accomplishing a thorough
review of these failures, the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) notes that improper pilot action following the turbocharger
malfunction or failure may have been a contributing factor in many of
the accidents and incidents.
Numerous airplane manufacturers do not provide written procedures
addressing turbocharger failures. Section 23.1585 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 23.1585) consists of the following:
For each airplane, information concerning normal and emergency
procedures and other pertinent information necessary to safe
operation must be furnished, including, * * *
The regulation then goes on to list several different examples, but is
not specific as to information regarding turbocharger failures. In
addition, FAA-approved Specification for Pilots Operating Handbook
(GAMA Specification No. 1), prepared by the General Aviation
Manufacturers Association (GAMA), does not specifically address this
issue, but, like the regulations, includes a general statement:
Emergency procedures and other pertinent information necessary
for safe operations shall be provided for emergencies peculiar to a
particular airplane design, operating or handling characteristic.
In order to adequately make a determination as to what type of
action to take (if any), the FAA is issuing this advance notice of
proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to provide an opportunity for the general
public to participate in the decision whether to initiate rulemaking.
Interested persons are encouraged to provide information that describes
what they consider the best action (if any) to be taken to correct the
possible problem. In this regard, the FAA is especially interested in
comments and viewpoints on the following:
1. If your airplane was to experience turbocharger failure, would
you know what precautions and pilot actions to take? Would these be as
a result of Airplane Flight Manual/Pilot Operating Handbook (AFM/POH)
issues and supplements? Do you believe a safety hazard exists if
information related to this subject is not included in the AFM/POH?
2. Does a safety issue exist on turbocharged airplanes that do not
have an AFM/POH, and would placarding these airplanes solve this safety
problem?
3. Should FAA-approved GAMA Specification No. 1 be revised to
include the requirement of AFM/POH information regarding precautions
and pilot action in case of a turbocharger failure?
4. Should the FAA change policy to require direct reference to this
subject on all new model airplanes equipped with turbocharged engines?
5. Please provide any other information that you feel is pertinent
in helping the FAA determine what type of action (if any) needs to be
taken.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 24, 1994.
Michael K. Dahl,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-15860 Filed 6-29-94; 8:45 am]
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