Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22922 · Fuselage
Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Yaborã Indústria Aeronáutica S.A.; Embraer S.A.; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. (EMBRAER)) Airplanes
This AD applies to all Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate previously held by Yaborã Indústria Aeronáutica S.A.; Embraer S.A.; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. (EMBRAER)) airplanes specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes.
(2) Model EMB-145, -145EP, -145ER, -145LR, -145MP, -145MR, and -145XR airplanes.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, and -135LR airplanes; and Model EMB-145, -145EP, -145ER, -145LR, -145MP, -145MR, and -145XR airplanes. This AD was prompted by a structural assessment that indicated certain central fuselage longitudinal splices are subjected to fatigue damage on multiple sites due to loose fasteners, which may reduce the structural residual strength below the required levels. This AD requires performing repetitive inspections of certain upper central fuselage longitudinal splices and reporting the inspection results, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference. This AD also requires performing corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) AD 2024-04-03R01, effective May 31, 2024 (ANAC AD 2024-04-03R01).
(1) Where ANAC AD 2024-04-03R01 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of ANAC AD 2024-04-03R01 specify the initial compliance time for the external detailed inspection, for this AD, the initial compliance time for doing the external detailed inspection is prior to the accumulation of 44,000 total flight cycles, or within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(3) Where paragraph (b)(3) of ANAC AD 2024-04-03R01 specifies “If any discrepancies are found, contact Embraer,” this AD requires replacing that text with “If any discrepancy (including cracking) is detected during an inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, repair the discrepancy (including cracking) before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or ANAC; or Embraer's ANAC Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.”
(4) Paragraph (d) of ANAC AD 2024-04-03R01 specifies to report inspection results to ANAC and Embraer within a certain compliance time. For this AD, report inspection results after each inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the applicable times specified in paragraph (h)(4)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(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 done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(5) This AD does not adopt paragraph (e) of ANAC AD 2024-04-03R01.
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or ANAC; or ANAC's authorized Designee. If approved by the ANAC Designee, the approval must include the Designee's authorized signature.
For more information about this AD, contact Hassan Ibrahim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 206-231-3653; email: Hassan.M.Ibrahim@faa.gov.
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.
