FAA orders · airworthiness directive · historical

2008-16-01: Full authority digital engine controls (FADECs)

FAA order 2008-16-01 is an airworthiness directive in force since August 15, 2008. The FAA's subject line: Full authority digital engine controls (FADECs). It names the General Electric CF34-8E5, General Electric CF34-8E5A2, General Electric CF34 series engines: about 1,374 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Engine
Makes: General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company; General Electric Company
Models: CF34-8E2, CF34-8E2A1, CF34-8E5, CF34-8E5A1, CF34-8E5A2, CF34-8E6, CF34-8E6A1
Engine series: General Electric CF34-8E5 698 aircraft
General Electric CF34-8E5A2 3 aircraft
General Electric CF34 series 673 aircraft

Dates and paperwork

In force since: August 15, 2008
Published: July 31, 2008 (signed July 23, 2008)
Docket: FAA-2008-0821
Replaced by: 2009-24-06
Status: Historical
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GE CF34-8E series turbofan engines with certain part number (P/N) full authority digital engine controls (FADECs) installed. This AD requires reprogramming the FADEC software from version 8Ev5.40 to an FAA- approved software version. This AD results from six loss of thrust control events from the same software fault scenario. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of thrust control and controllability of the airplane.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (2,489 characters)

2008-16-01 General Electric Co.: Amendment 39-15619. Docket No. FAA- 2008-0821; Directorate Identifier 2008-NE-20-AD. 

Effective Date 

	(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 15, 2008. 

Affected ADs 

	(b) None. 

Applicability 

	(c) This AD applies to General Electric Co. (GE) CF34-8E series turbofan engines with full authority digital electronic controls (FADECs), part numbers (P/N) 4120T00P47, 4120T00P48, 111E9320G48, or 111E9320G49, installed. These engines are installed on, but not limited to, Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) ERJ 170 series airplanes. 

Unsafe Condition 

	(d) This AD results from six loss of thrust control events from the same software fault scenario. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of thrust control and controllability of the airplane. 

Compliance 

	(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within 660 flight hours time-in-service after the effective dateof this AD, unless the actions have already been done. 

Removal of CF34-8E FADEC Software Version 8Ev5.40 

	(f) For CF34-8E engines with a FADEC, P/N 4120T00P47, 4120T00P48, 111E9320G48, or 111E9320G49, installed, do either of the following: 
	(1) Replace the FADEC, P/N 4120T00P47, 4120T00P48, 111E9320G48, or 111E9320G49, with a FADEC P/N not listed in paragraph (c) of this AD. Or, 
	(2) For CF34-8E engines with a FADEC, P/N 4120T00P47, 4120T00P48, 111E9320G48, or 111E9320G49, installed, reprogram the FADEC software to an FAA approved version. 

Installation Prohibition 

	(g) After the effective date of this AD, don't install any FADEC, P/N 4120T00P47, 4120T00P48, 111E9320G48, or 111E9320G49, onto any CF34-8E engine. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

	(h) The Manager, Engine Certification Office, has the authority to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

Related Information 

	(i) General Electric Alert Service Bulletin CF34-8E-AL S/B 73- A0019, dated June 17, 2008, contains information on removing software version 8Ev5.40 and installing an FAA-approved FADEC software version. 
	(j) Contact Kenneth Steeves, Aerospace Engineer, Engine Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803; e-mail: [email protected]; telephone (781) 238-7765; fax (781) 238- 7199, for more information about this AD. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

	(k) None.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 30, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2008-16-01.json · aircraft systems.