Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16432 · Airborne auxiliary power
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT Airplanes
This AD applies to Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes, certified in any category; as identified in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-49-0023, Revision 01, dated June 30, 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 6 months 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 120-49-0023, Revision 01, dated June 30, 2008.
(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 of 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 120-49-0023, dated April 18, 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 on corrosion can be found in Chapter 51-11-01 of the EMBRAER Corrosion Prevention Manual) of the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD to Mr. Antonio Claret—Customer Support Group, Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc, 276 S.W 34th Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315—USA; 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 2008-08-01, dated October 21, 2008, does not include a reporting requirement, the service bulletin identified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD does 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 ANAC. (2) Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2008-08-01, dated October 21, 2008, allows replacement of the affected APU mounting rods by “new ones bearing a new P/N [part number] approved by ANAC [Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil].” 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 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.
