[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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P