[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]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U