Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14054 · Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 and -145 Series Airplanes
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 and -145 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2005-13-22. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all EMBRAER Model EMB-135 and -145 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections of the electrical connectors of the electric fuel pumps to detect discrepancies, and follow-on corrective actions. This new AD extends the repetitive intervals for the inspections; adds new criteria for replacing discrepant fuel pumps; adds a new requirement for applying anti-corrosion spray; adds a requirement to replace all fuel pumps with improved fuel pumps; and adds repetitive inspections after all six fuel pumps are replaced. This AD is prompted by the manufacturer's development of a new modification that addresses the unsafe condition in the existing AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent an ignition source in the fuel tank or adjacent dry bay, which could result in fire or explosion.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Perform a general visual inspection of the electrical connectors of the fuel pumps in the right- and left-hand wings to detect discrepancies (including blackened connector pins, damage to electrometric insert, cracks, erosion, or charring), in accordance with EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin S.B. 145-28-A013, dated August 16, 2000, at the times specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(2), and (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 400 flight hours until the inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD is done.
(1) For airplanes having 1,200 total flight hours or less as of October 3, 2000 (the effective date of AD 2000-19-02, amendment 39-11903): Prior to the accumulation of 1,600 total flight hours.
(2) For airplanes having more than 1,200 total flight hours, but less than 4,000 total flight hours, as of October 3, 2000: Within 400 flight hours after October 3, 2000.
(3) For airplanes having 4,000 total flight hours or more as of October 3, 2000: Prior to the accumulation of 4,400 total flight hours, or within 50 flight hours after October 3, 2000, whichever occurs later.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is “a visual examination of a interior or exterior area, installation or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normal available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight or drop-light and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”
If any discrepancy (including blackened connector pins, damage to electrometric insert, cracks, erosion, or charring) is detected after accomplishment of any inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the fuel pump and its mating airplane connector in accordance with EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin S.B. 145-28-A013, dated August 16, 2000.
(h) After accomplishment of the replacement required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight: Perform a general visual inspection of the electrical connectors adjacent to the fuel pump to detect damage (visible cracks, erosion, or charring), in accordance with EMBRAER Alert Service Bulletin S.B. 145-28-A013, dated August 16, 2000, and accomplish the requirements in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) If any damage is detected, before further flight, replace the connectors with new ones in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(2) If no damage is detected, before further flight, replace only the socket contacts with new contacts in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(i) Do a general visual inspection of the electrical connectors of the fuel pumps in the right- and left-hand wings to detect discrepancies (including any corrosion, surface irregularities, damaged plating, blackened pins, damaged elastomeric inserts, cracks, erosion, or charring of the connector). Do the first inspection at the applicable time in paragraph (i)(1), (i)(2), or (i)(3) of this AD, in accordance with part I of the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-28-0013, dated April 25, 2001. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight hours until all six fuel pumps are replaced with P/N 2C7-4 pumps. When all six fuel pumps have been replaced with P/N 2C7-4 pumps, repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 8,000 flight hours. Doing the initial inspection required by this paragraph terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes that have been inspected in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD as of the effective date of this AD but do not have all six P/N 2C7-4 pumps: Within 1,200 flight hours since the most recent inspection done in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD.
(2) For airplanes inspected in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD as of the effective date of this AD that have all six P/N 2C7-4 pumps: Within 8,000 flight cycles since replacement of all six pumps with P/N 2C7-4 pumps, or within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(3) For airplanes that have not been inspected in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD as of the effective date of this AD: Within 1,200 flight hours after the effective date of this AD.
If there is no evidence of a discrepancy found during any inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Before further flight, apply anti-corrosion spray on the male contacts of the fuel pump electrical connectors in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-28-0013, dated April 25, 2001.
If any evidence of a discrepancy is found during any inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD: Before further flight, replace the electric fuel pump with a serviceable pump in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-28-0013, dated April 25, 2001. After the replacement, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD at the applicable interval in that paragraph.
Before further flight after replacing a fuel pump, as required by paragraph (k) of this AD: Do a general visual inspection for damage of the mating aircraft connectors; and do the applicable corrective action in paragraph (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this AD; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-28-0013, dated April 25, 2001.
(1) If there is any sign of damage to the mating aircraft connectors: Replace the affected connector with a new connector, and apply anti-corrosion spray on the male contacts of the fuel pump electric connectors.
(2) If there is no sign of damage to the mating aircraft connectors: Replace only the socket contacts with new socket contacts, and apply anti-corrosion spray on the male contacts of the fuel pump electric connectors.
The inspections required by paragraphs (f) and (i) of this AD apply to the six electric fuel pumps in the right- and left-hand wings (three pumps in each wing). For pump replacement planning purposes, the airplane may be operated in accordance with the provisions and limitations specified in an operator's FAA-approved MMEL, provided that no more than one fuel pump on each wing on the airplane is inoperative.
Note 2: When operating under the MMEL, operators must comply with the unusable fuel quantity as referenced in the Limitations Section of the appropriate FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual.
