Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16378 · Airborne auxiliary power
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135 Airplanes; and Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes
This AD applies to Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes; certified in any category; as identified EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0034, Revision 01, dated September 8, 2008; and EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145LEG-49-0008, Revision 02, dated September 8, 2008.
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 1,500 flight hours or 180 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do an external detailed inspection for corrosion of the APU, auxiliary and center mounting rods, and rod ends. If any corrosion is found during any inspection, before further flight, do the actions required by paragraphs (f)(1)(i), (f)(1)(ii), and (f)(1)(iii) of this AD, as applicable. Do all actions required by this paragraph in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0034, Revision 01, dated September 8, 2008; or EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145LEG-49-0008, Revision 02, dated September 8, 2008; as applicable.
(i) If light corrosion (characterized by discoloration or pitting) is found on a mounting rod, remove the corrosion and apply an anticorrosive treatment.
(ii) If moderate corrosion (characterized by surface blistering or evidence of scaling and flaking), or heavy corrosion (characterized by severe blistering exfoliation, scaling and flaking) is found, replace the affected mounting rod with a new mounting rod having the same part number.
(iii) If any corrosion is detected on the rod ends, remove the corrosion and apply an anticorrosive treatment.
(2) Accomplishing the inspection and corrective actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD before the effective date of this AD in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-49-0034, dated April 18, 2008; EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145LEG-49-0008, dated April 18, 2008; or EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145LEG-49-0008, Revision 01, dated May 26, 2008; is acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(3) For mounting rods with moderate or heavy corrosion, submit a report of the positive findings (including level of corrosion such as Moderate or Heavy; guidance is provided in EMBRAER Corrosion Prevention Manual (CPM) 51-11-01) on the external surface of the rods as well as the rod ends) of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to the ATTN: Mr. Antonio Claret—Customer Support Group, EMBRAER Aircraft Holding, Inc., 276 SW. 34th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315; telephone (954) 359-3826; e-mail structure@embraer.com.br; at the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or (f)(3)(ii) of this AD. The report must include the inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of landings and flight hours on the airplane.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) Although Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2008-10-02, effective October 21, 2008, does not include a reporting requirement, the service bulletins identified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD do specify reporting findings to EMBRAER. This AD requires that operators report the results of the inspections to EMBRAER because the required inspection report will help determine the extent of the corrosion in the affected fleet, from which we will determine if further corrective action is warranted. This difference has been coordinated with Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC). (2) Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2008-10-02, effective October 21, 2008, allows replacement of the affected APU mounting rods by “new ones bearing a new P/N [part number] approved by ANAC.” However, paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this AD requires replacing the affected mounting rod only with a new mounting rod having the same part number. Operators may request approval of an alternative method of compliance in order to install a new part number in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. This difference has been coordinated with ANAC.
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.
