Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13818 · Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 Series Airplanes
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 Series Airplanes
Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 series airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with a main landing gear (MLG) leg strut having a part number (P/N) and serial number (S/N) listed in the table under the heading “Affected component” in paragraph 1.B., “Effectivity,” of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-32-0066, Change 03, dated April 19, 2004.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and EMB-145 series airplanes, that requires inspection of the housings of the main landing gear (MLG) leg strut bushings, and related investigative and corrective actions, and other specified actions. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent corrosion of the housings of the MLG leg strut bushings and consequent failure of the MLG. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
To prevent corrosion of the housings of the main landing gear (MLG) leg strut bushings and consequent failure of the MLG, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 5,500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed inspection of the housings of the MLG leg strut bushings for corrosion per the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-32-0066, Change 03, dated April 19, 2004.
(1) If no corrosion is found, before further flight, do all applicable actions in and per the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
(2) If any corrosion is found, before further flight, do all applicable investigative and corrective actions in and per the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”
Note 2: EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-32-0066, Change 03, dated April 19, 2004, refers to Embraer Liebherr Equipamentos do Brasil S.A. (ELEB) Service Bulletin 2309-2006-32-01, Revision 03, dated April 19, 2004, as an additional source of service information for the inspection and repair of the MLG leg strut bushings. The ELEB service bulletin is included within the EMBRAER service bulletin.
(b) Inspections and related investigative and corrective actions, accomplished before the effective date of this AD per EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-32-0066, dated January 8, 2002; Change 01, dated August 15, 2002; or Change 02, dated February 26, 2004; are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD.
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
(d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be done in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-32-0066, Change 03, dated April 19, 2004. 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 Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343—CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos—SP, Brazil. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Brazilian airworthiness directive 2002-12-01, effective January 6, 2003.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
