Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15981 · Fuel
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT Airplanes
This AD applies to EMBRAER Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 120001 to 120359.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, insert in the Limitations section of the AFM a copy of this AD or the following statement:
The minimum fuel quantity inside each tank must be 300 kg (662 pounds) or 370 liters (97.75 gallons).
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, any fuel tank defueling or other maintenance action which demands use of the fuel booster pumps is limited to a minimum fuel quantity of no less than 300 kilograms (662 pounds) or 370 liters (97.75 gallons) inside the respective tank.
(3) Within 4,000 flight hours, or 24 months, or at the next scheduled or unscheduled fuel tank opening after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the following actions:
(i) Inspect the fuel booster pump electrical harness of the left- and right-hand fuel tanks for damage on its external protection, in accordance with paragraph 3.F. (Part I) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016, dated January 9, 2008. If any damaged fuel booster pump electrical harness is found, before further flight, replace the affected fuel booster pump assembly with another fuel booster pump assembly bearing the same part number, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016, dated January 9, 2008.
(ii) Install clamps and tie down straps on the tank structure and attach each fuel booster pump electrical harness to the left- and right-hand fuel tanks to avoid eventual chafing against the pump body, adjacent fuel lines, structure or any other part, and to prevent damage to the harness protective layers, in accordance with paragraph 3.G. (Part II) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016, dated January 9, 2008.
(4) After complying with the actions in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, the limitations imposed by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD are no longer required, and the AFM revision required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.
