Issues Emergency AD Following Power Loss

In response to a customer notification and subsequent recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board, the FAA issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2008-13-51 late Thursday evening, requiring pilots of the Eclipse 500 to test their aircrafts' throttle operation before taking flight again in the very-light-jet.

As ANN reported, N612KB (s/n 026) encountered windshear on short final to land at Chicago's Midway Airport on June 5. The plane's pilot applied full power, using enough force against the forward stops to exceed the design throttle position signal maximum range. The associated fault mode with the plane's FADEC held the engine thrust settings at the last known throttle position -- full power.

Following the balked landing, the pilot elected to shutdown one engine in order to reduce thrust. After spooling down the right engine, however, the left-side turbofan reduced thrust to idle... and failed to respond to subsequent throttle inputs. Fortunately, the pilot was able to perform a safe emergency landing at MDW, with two blown maingear tires the only damage to plane and crew.

Concerned that exceeding the throttle position signal maximum range could cause loss of left and right engine control, the FAA ordered Eclipse pilots to inspect their aircraft's throttle assemblies, and also insert temporary revisions in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) dealing with procedures on how to handle dual engine failure.

"After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design. For this reason, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to reduce the likelihood of the throttle position signal exceeding its maximum range, which could cause loss of left and right engine control. The FAA has also determined that AD action should be taken to provide an airplane flight manual (AFM) procedure for responding to dual engine control failures. This condition could result in the inability to maintain desired airspeed and/or altitude with consequent loss of control."

The AD applies to the entire Eclipse 500 fleet, which currently numbers 207 flying aircraft according to the FAA.

Full details of the Emergency AD, including compliance instructions, are available at the FMI link below.

FMI: Read The Emergency AD Notification (.pdf)