[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31338-31340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15088]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-ANE-14-AD; Amendment 39-10568; AD 98-12-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Allison Engine Company Model AE 3007A
Turbofan Engines
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
is applicable to Allison Engine Company Model AE 3007A turbofan
engines. This action requires reprogramming the Full Authority Digital
Engine Control (FADEC) to the latest, improved software version. This
amendment is prompted by reports of inflight engine shutdowns due to
inadequate fault accommodation logic. The actions specified in this AD
are intended to prevent inflight engine shutdowns due to inadequate
fault accommodation logic.
DATES: Effective June 24, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 24, 1998.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before August 10, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-ANE-14-AD, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may also be sent
via the Internet using the following address: ``9-ad-
[email protected]''. Comments sent via the Internet must contain
the docket number in the subject line.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Allison Engine Company, P.O. Box 420, Speed Code U-15, Indianapolis, IN
46206-0420; telephone (317) 230-6674. This information may be examined
at the FAA, New England Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New
England Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyri Zaroyiannis, Aerospace Engineer,
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-
7836, fax (847) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
has received reports of 5 inflight engine shutdowns on Allison Engine
Company AE 3007 series turbofan engines due to inadequate fault
accommodation logic. The current version of software has an error which
leads to large fan speed transients during Main Metering Valve (MMV)
fault accommodation of an in range failure. Also, the current version
of software does not include modifications to the fault accommodation
logic for an ITT sensor fault, to prevent a single failure in the ITT
indication system from causing an in flight shutdown. This condition,
if not corrected, may result in inflight engine shutdowns due to
inadequate fault accommodation logic.
The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of Allison
Engine Company Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AE 3007A-A-73-014,
Revision 3, dated May 21, 1998, that describes procedures for
reprogramming the FADEC software to the latest, improved version VI.2
[Allison Software Part Number 23068660; Allison FADEC assembly (with
Software VI.2 installed) Part Number 23068661].
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other engines of the same type design, this AD is
being issued to prevent inflight engine shutdowns. This AD requires, at
200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, reprogramming the
FADEC software to the latest, improved version VI.2. The requirements
of paragraph (b) of this AD have been coordinated with the Atlanta
Aircraft Certification Office. The actions are required to be
accomplished in accordance with the SB described previously.
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
[[Page 31339]]
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be
needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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
AD 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 Number 98-ANE-14-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-12-12 Allison Engine Company: Amendment 39-10568. Docket 98-ANE-
14-AD.
Applicability: Allison Engine Company Model AE 3007A turbofan
engines, installed on but not limited to Embraer EMB-145 series
aircraft.
Note 1: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each engine
identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of
whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area
subject to the requirements of this AD. For engines that have been
modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the
requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request
approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with
paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment
of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the
unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition
has not been eliminated, the request should include specific
proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent inflight engine shutdowns due to inadequate fault
accommodation logic, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
reprogram the FADEC software to version VI.2, [Allison Software Part
Number 23068660; Allison FADEC assembly (with Software VI.2
installed) Part Number 23068661] in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Allison Engine Company Alert Service
Bulletin (ASB) No. AE 3007A-A-73-014, Revision 3, dated May 21,
1998.
(b) After completing the requirements of paragraph (a) of this
AD, and then prior to further flight, revise the FAA-approved
Airplane Flight Manual by incorporating Embraer Flight Manual AFM-
145/1153, Revision 14, dated May 7, 1998.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification
Office. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate
FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then
send it to the Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive,
if any, may be obtained from the Chicago Aircraft Certification
Office.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the aircraft to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(e) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with the following Allison Engine Company SB:
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Document No. Revision Pages Date
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AE 3007A-A-73-014............. 3 1-6 May 21, 1998.
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Total pages: 6.
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Allison Engine Company, P.O.
Box 420, Speed Code U-15, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0420; telephone
(317) 230-6674. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 12 New England Executive
Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 24, 1998.
[[Page 31340]]
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1998.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15088 Filed 6-8-98; 8:45 am]
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