DC-8 70
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Weather; Human Factors; Aircraft
The pilot of the DC87 checked on level at FL370. Five minutes later the pilot reported clear air turbulence. I observed the altitude read-out of the aircraft fluctuate; first three hundred feet high then 4-5 hundred feet lower. At that point the pilot advised that his number one engine flamed out; and he would like a descent to FL310 to re-start the engine. I issued the descent clearance and asked the pilot to describe the turbulence so a report could be filled out and advisories could be issued to subsequent aircraft. The aircraft now level at FL310; I asked the pilot if he had stabilized; and would he be requesting climb back to FL370. The pilot responded he was stable and wanted to proceed to destination at FL310. At that time I transferred communication to the next controller and asked that he inquire about the turbulence that the aircraft had encountered because I had not received the information yet. This event was caused by a meteorological event that is impossible to predict or prevent.
I was made aware by a Controller that a DC87 still had an engine out due to a flame out from encountering extreme mountain wave and turbulence; previously this was the first I'd heard of it. The Controller told me that the pilot was still unable to restart #1 engine. He was not declaring an emergency and he was talking to Dispatch for further guidance. I relayed this information to the OMIC and to the next Center. Upon further review; I was told by the Controller that he had; indeed; worked that aircraft. He had noticed the pilot's altitude fluctuating and the aircraft was veering off course. When he queried the pilot; the pilot responded he had encountered some clear air turbulence and was trying to restart #1 engine. The Controller asked if any assistance was required and the pilot responded; 'No;' but asked for a descent to FL310; which the Controller issued. The Controller then tried to get a PIREP from the pilot as to the type of turbulence; to which the pilot replied that he would get back to the Controller. The pilot did not and no PIREP was issued until I turned one in 30 minutes later; once I became aware of the situation. I think the information that a 'potential' for an aircraft emergency could exist should have been relayed to the FLM sooner; and that the Controller should have been a little more aggressive in determining the classification of turbulence. Additionally; I think the pilot should have been more forthcoming about what he was encountering to ensure that no subsequent aircraft would encounter what he had just experienced.
Enroute Controller described an engine failure event when traffic at FL370 experienced clear air turbulence and requested an immediate descent to re-start the engine. The report indicated that ATC's follow up PIREP actions was inadequate.