[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16339-16340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8308]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 64 / Monday, April 5, 1999 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 16339]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NE-01-AD; Amendment 39-11108; AD 99-02-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Allison Engine Company, Inc. AE 3007A 
and AE 3007C Series Turbofan Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule, request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-02-51 that was sent previously 
to all known U.S. owners and operators of Allison Engine Company, Inc. 
AE 3007A and AE 3007C series turbofan engines by individual telegrams. 
This AD prohibits, prior to further flight, all engine ground starts at 
oil temperatures below 32 deg.F (0 deg.C) unless preflight operational 
procedures ensure that engine oil temperature is maintained at or above 
32 deg.F (0 deg.C). This amendment is prompted by reports of in-flight 
engine shutdowns. The in-flight engine shutdowns have been attributed 
to loss of engine oil from the starter shaft seal. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent an in-flight engine 
shutdown due to loss of engine oil from the starter shaft seal.

DATES: Effective April 20, 1999, to all persons except those persons to 
whom it was made immediately effective by telegraphic AD 99-02-51, 
issued on January 8, 1999, that contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before June 4, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NE-01-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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Tallarovic, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
2300 East Devon Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60018; telephone (847) 294-8180, 
fax (847) 294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 8, 1999, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued telegraphic airworthiness directive (TAD) 
99-02-51, applicable to Allison Engine Company, Inc. AE 3007A and AE 
3007C series turbofan engines that prohibits, prior to further flight, 
all engine ground starts at oil temperatures below 32 deg.F (0 deg.C), 
unless preflight operational procedures ensure that engine oil 
temperature is maintained at or above 32 deg.F (0 deg.C). That action 
was prompted by reports of three in-flight engine shutdowns since 
January 4, 1999. The FAA has determined that engine starting in cold 
temperatures can cause the starter shaft seal to become unseated, 
allowing oil to exit the accessory gearbox. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in an in-flight engine shutdown due to loss of 
engine oil from the starter shaft seal.
    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other engines of the same type design, the FAA issued telegraphic AD 
99-02-51 to prevent an in-flight engine shutdown due to loss of engine 
oil from the starter shaft seal. This AD prohibits all engine ground 
starts at oil temperatures below 32 deg.F (0 deg.C) unless preflight 
operational procedures ensure that engine oil temperature is maintained 
at or above 32 deg.F (0 deg.C). This AD is considered an interim 
action, and as the investigation continues, further rulemaking may be 
necessary. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the compliance section of this AD.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual telegrams 
issued on January 8, 1999, to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
Allison Engine Company, Inc. AE 3007A and AE 3007C series turbofan 
engines. These conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published 
in the Federal Register as an amendment to Section 39.13 of part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to make it effective 
to all persons.

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 99-NE-01-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

[[Page 16340]]

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, 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:

99-02-51  Allison Engine Company, Inc.: Amendment 39-11108: Docket 
99-NE-01-AD.

    Applicability: Allison Engine Company, Inc. AE 3007A and AE 
3007C series turbofan engines, installed on but not limited to 
Embraer EMB-145 and Cessna 750 series airplanes.

    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 (b) 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 an in-flight engine shutdown due to loss of engine 
oil from the starter shaft seal, accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to further flight, all ground engine starts at engine 
oil temperatures below 32 deg.F (0 deg.C) are prohibited except as 
provided in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) For Allison Engine Company engine models AE 3007A, AE 
3007A1, AE 3007A1/1, and AE 3007A1/2, if the engine oil temperature 
has dropped below 32 deg.F (0 deg.C) prior to flight, perform a 
highpower leak check on each engine (at least three minutes at 
takeoff power, reference Allison Engine Company AE 3007A series 
maintenance manual, section 72-00-00, page 505, subtask 72-00-00-
790-002). No leaks above serviceable limits are permitted (0.21 
quarts/hour, 200 cc/hour per Allison Engine Company AE 3007A, Fault 
Isolation Manual, section 79-37-00, page 212, allowable leakage).
    (2) For Allison Engine Company engine model AE 3007C, if the 
engine oil temperature has dropped below 32 deg.F (0 deg.C) prior to 
flight, monitor the engine oil level using the following procedures:
    (i) Operate engine at maximum continuous power for 10 minutes. 
Monitor the engine oil level.
    (ii) If an oil level decrease of greater than 1.0 quarts occurs, 
maintenance is required before further flight.
    (b) 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.

    (c) This amendment becomes effective April 20, 1999, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by telegraphic AD 99-02-51, issued January 8, 1999, which 
contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on March 29, 1999.
David A. Downey,
Assistant Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-8308 Filed 4-2-99; 8:45 am]
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