Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22942 · Fuselage
Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Yaborã Indústria Aeronáutica S.A.; Embraer S.A.) Airplanes
This AD applies to all Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate previously held by Yaborã Indústria Aeronáutica S.A.; Embraer S.A.) Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes, certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Embraer S.A. Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes. This AD was prompted by a structural assessment, which found that the fuselage longitudinal skin splice and panel between certain frames are susceptible to cracking. This AD requires performing repetitive inspections of the fuselage center I longitudinal skin splice and applicable corrective actions, as specified in an Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). 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 2024-04-02R01, effective May 31, 2024 (ANAC AD 2024-04-02R01).
(1) Where ANAC AD 2024-04-02R01 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 2024-04-02R01 specify the initial compliance time for the high-frequency eddy current inspection of the fuselage center I longitudinal skin splice—frames 22 and 23, from the internal and external side of the fuselage, for this AD, the initial compliance time for doing the high-frequency eddy current inspection is prior to the accumulation of 50,000 total flight cycles, or within 800 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(3) Where paragraphs (d)(1) and (2) of ANAC AD 2024-04-02R01 specify the initial compliance time for the high-frequency eddy current inspection of the fuselage center I skin panel—frames 22 and 23, from the external side of the fuselage, for this AD, the initial compliance time for doing the high-frequency eddy current inspection is prior to the accumulation of 50,000 total flight cycles, or within 800 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(4) Where paragraphs (b)(3) and (d)(3) of ANAC AD 2024-04-02R01 specify corrective actions, for this AD, if any discrepancy including cracking is detected during any inspection required by this AD, the discrepancy must be repaired 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.
(5) Paragraph (f) of ANAC AD 2024-04-02R01 specifies to report inspection results to ANAC and Embraer within a certain compliance time. For this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(5)(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.
(6) This AD does not adopt paragraph (g) of ANAC AD 2024-04-02R01.
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.
