Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 37 / Thursday, February 24, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 9217
Corrective Actions DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (c) Prior to further flight, repair any Satish Lall, Aerospace Engineer, cracking detected by any inspection required Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE– by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD in 117A, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, accordance with a method approved by the 14 CFR Part 39 Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; [Docket No. 99±NM±370±AD; Amendment or in accordance with data meeting the type 39±11591; AD 2000±04±09] Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30337–2748; telephone (770) 703–6082; certification basis of the airplane approved RIN 2120±AA64 by a Boeing Company Designated fax (770) 703–6097. Engineering Representative (DER) who has Airworthiness Directives; Empresa SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The been authorized by the Manager, Seattle Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. Departmento de Aviacao Civil (DAC), ACO, to make such findings. For a repair which is the airworthiness authority for method to be approved by the Manager, (EMBRAER) Model EMB±135 and EMB±145 Series Airplanes Brazil, notified the FAA that an unsafe Seattle ACO, as required by this paragraph, condition may exist on certain the approval letter must specifically AGENCY: Federal Aviation reference this AD. EMBRAER Model EMB–135 and EMB– Administration, DOT. 145 series airplanes. The DAC advises Optional Terminating Action ACTION: Final rule; request for that it has received a report of looseness (d) Installation of the preventative comments. of the hinge fitting attachment of the modification of the BS 480 frame in elevator spring tab of the horizontal accordance with Part 3.C. of the SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a stabilizer. The configuration of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert new airworthiness directive (AD) that is hinge fitting attachment of the elevator Service Bulletin 737–53A1220, dated October applicable to certain EMBRAER Model servo tab is similar in design to that of 4, 1999, constitutes terminating action for the EMB–135 and EMB–145 series requirements of this AD. the elevator spring tab. Therefore the airplanes. This action requires various elevator servo tab may be subject to the Alternative Methods of Compliance inspections to detect discrepancies of same unsafe condition reported on the (e) An alternative method of compliance or the elevator servo tab and spring tab elevator spring tab. The looseness was adjustment of the compliance time that hinge fittings of the horizontal attributed to the incorrect installation of provides an acceptable level of safety may be stabilizer, and follow-on corrective the attachment fasteners (two) to the tab used if approved by the Manager, Seattle actions, if necessary. This amendment is upper skin. The loss of the fitting ACO. Operators shall submit their requests prompted by issuance of mandatory rigidity may cause damage to the other through an appropriate FAA Principal continuing airworthiness information by Maintenance Inspector, who may add attachment fasteners (four) in the tab a foreign civil airworthiness authority. spar, which could cause the linkage of comments and then send it to the Manager, The actions specified in this AD are Seattle ACO. the elevator servo tab or spring tab hinge intended to prevent the linkage of the fittings to separate from the horizontal Note 3: Information concerning the elevator servo tab or spring tab hinge existence of approved alternative methods of stabilizer. This condition, if not compliance with this AD, if any, may be fittings from separating from the corrected, could result in loss of control obtained from the Seattle ACO. horizontal stabilizer, which could result of the airplane. in loss of control of the airplane. Special Flight Permits DATES: Effective March 10, 2000. Explanation of Relevant Service (f) Special flight permits may be issued in The incorporation by reference of Information accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 certain publications listed in the The manufacturer has issued Embraer of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR regulations is approved by the Director Alert Service Bulletin S.B. 145–55– 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to of the Federal Register as of March 10, A022, Change 02, dated October 8, 1999, a location where the requirements of this AD 2000. can be accomplished. which describes procedures for various Comments for inclusion in the Rules inspections to detect discrepancies of Incorporation by Reference Docket must be received on or before the elevator servo tab and spring tab (g) Except as provided by paragraph (c) of March 27, 2000. hinge fittings of the horizontal this AD, the actions shall be done in ADDRESSES: Submit comments in stabilizer, and corrective actions, if accordance with Boeing Alert Service triplicate to the Federal Aviation necessary. Bulletin 737–53A1220, dated October 4, Administration (FAA), Transport • Part I of the Accomplishment 1999. This incorporation by reference was Airplane Directorate, ANM–114, Instructions: Repetitive visual approved by the Director of the Federal Attention: Rules Docket No. 99–NM– inspections to detect proper attachment Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained 370–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., (as specified in the alert service from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Renton, Washington 98055–4056. bulletin) of the left-and right-hand P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, WA 98124–2207. The service information referenced in elevator servo tab and spring tab hinge Copies may be inspected at the FAA, this AD may be obtained from Empresa fittings of the horizontal stabilizer, and Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. follow-on corrective actions, if Avenue, SW., Renton, WA; or at the Office (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343—CEP 12.225, necessary. The corrective actions of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Sao Jose dos Campos—SP, Brazil. This involve replacing all affected tabs with Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. information may be examined at the new or serviceable tabs or (h) This amendment becomes effective on FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, accomplishing Part II of the March 10, 2000. 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Accomplishment Instructions. Issued in Renton, Washington, on February Washington; or at the FAA, Small • Part II of the Accomplishment 15, 2000. Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Instructions: One-time visual inspection Donald L. Riggin, Certification Office, One Crown Center, to detect relative movement between the Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, servo tab center hinge fitting and the tab Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. Atlanta, Georgia; or at the Office of the lower skin and spar, and between the [FR Doc. 00–4116 Filed 2–23–00; 8:45 am] Federal Register, 800 North Capitol spring tab inboard hinge fitting and the BILLING CODE 4910±13±P Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. tab upper skin and spar, and corrective
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Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. either paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this the compliance with the applicable actions AD. specified by this AD. § 39.13 [Amended] (i) Replace the affected tab with a new or 2. Section 39.13 is amended by serviceable tab in accordance with Part I of Alternative Methods of Compliance the Accomplishment Instruction of the alert (c) An alternative method of compliance or adding the following new airworthiness service bulletin. Thereafter, repeat the directive: detailed visual inspection required by adjustment of the compliance time that 2000–04–09 Empresa Brasileira de paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to provides an acceptable level of safety may be Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): exceed 100 flight hours until the used if approved by the Manager, Atlanta Amendment 39–11591. Docket 99–NM– requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD are Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 370–AD. accomplished. Following replacement of all Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall Applicability: Model EMB–135 and EMB– tabs, repeat the inspection required by submit their requests through an appropriate 145 series airplanes, as listed in Embraer paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who Alert Service Bulletin S.B. 145–55–A022, exceed 400 flight cycles; or may add comments and then send it to the Change 02, dated October 8, 1999; (ii) Accomplish the requirements of Manager, Atlanta ACO. certificated in any category. paragraphs (b) of this AD. (b) For airplanes that have not replaced all Note 5: Information concerning the Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane elevator servo tabs and spring tabs: Within existence of approved alternative methods of identified in the preceding applicability 400 flight hours after the effective date of this compliance with this AD, if any, may be provision, regardless of whether it has been AD, perform a one-time detailed visual obtained from the Atlanta ACO. modified, altered, or repaired in the area inspection to detect relative movement subject to the requirements of this AD. For between the servo tab center hinge fitting and Special Flight Permits airplanes that have been modified, altered, or the tab lower skin and tab spar, and between repaired so that the performance of the (d) Special flight permits may be issued in the elevator spring tab inboard hinge fitting requirements of this AD is affected, the accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 and the tab upper skin and tab spar, in of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR owner/operator must request approval for an accordance with Part II of the alternative method of compliance in Accomplishment Instructions of Embraer 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. Alert Service Bulletin S.B. 145–55–A022, a location where the requirements of this AD The request should include an assessment of Change 02, dated October 8, 1999. can be accomplished. the effect of the modification, alteration, or (1) If no relative movement is detected, Incorporation by Reference repair on the unsafe condition addressed by prior to further flight, rework the elevator this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not servo tabs and spring tabs and perform a (e) The actions shall be done in accordance been eliminated, the request should include boroscopic inspection to verify correct with Embraer Alert Service Bulletin S.B. specific proposed actions to address it. installation, as specified in the alert service 145–55–A022, Change 02, dated October 8, Compliance: Required as indicated, unless bulletin, of the fasteners attaching the 1999. This incorporation by reference was accomplished previously. elevator servo tab and spring tab hinge approved by the Director of the Federal To prevent the linkage of the elevator servo fittings to the elevator servo tab and spring Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) tab or spring tab hinge fittings from tab, in accordance with Part II of the separating from the horizontal stabilizer, Accomplishment Instruction of the alert and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained which could result in loss of control of the service bulletin. from Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. airplane, accomplish the following: (i) If all fasteners attaching the elevator (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 343—CEP 12.225, Sao servo tab and spring tab hinge fittings are Jose dos Campos—SP, Brazil. Copies may be Detailed Visual Inspection installed correctly, repeat the inspection inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane (a) Within 10 flight hours after the effective required by paragraph (a) of this AD at Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, date of this AD, perform a detailed visual intervals not to exceed 400 flight cycles. Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane inspection to verify proper attachment, as (ii) If any fastener attaching the elevator Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification specified in the alert service bulletin, of the servo tab or spring tab hinge fittings is Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix left- and right-hand elevator servo tab and incorrectly installed, as specified in the alert Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or at spring tab hinge fittings of the horizontal service bulletin, prior to further flight, stabilizer, in accordance with Part I of the replace, one at a time, each affected fastener the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Accomplishment Instructions of Embraer with a new fastener and washer, and prior to Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, Alert Service Bulletin S.B. 145–55–A022, further flight, repeat the boroscopic DC. Change 02, dated October 8, 1999. inspection required by paragraph (b)(1) of Note 6: The subject of this AD is addressed Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a this AD. When correct fastener installation is in Brazilian airworthiness directive 1999–09– detailed visual inspection is defined as: ‘‘An verified, repeat the inspection required by 01R1, dated October 25, 1999. paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to intensive visual examination of a specific (f) This amendment becomes effective on structural area, system, installation, or exceed 400 flight cycles. March 10, 2000. assembly to detect damage, failure, or Note 3: Replacement of the attaching irregularity. Available lighting is normally fasteners one at a time will avoid the loss of Issued in Renton, Washington, on February supplemented with a direct source of good the servo tab or spring tab hinge fittings 15, 2000. position. lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by Donald L. Riggin, the inspector. Inspection aids such as (2) If any relative movement is detected, mirrors, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. prior to further flight, replace the affected tab Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Surface cleaning and elaborate access with a new or serviceable tab, in accordance Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. procedures may be required.’’ with Part II of the Accomplishment [FR Doc. 00–4115 Filed 2–23–00; 8:45 am] (1) If all elevator servo tab and spring tab Instructions of the alert service bulletin. BILLING CODE 4910±13±U hinge fittings are properly attached, as Following replacement of all tabs, repeat the specified in the alert service bulletin, repeat inspection required by paragraph (a) of this the detailed visual inspection thereafter at AD at intervals not to exceed 400 flight intervals not to exceed 100 flight hours until cycles. the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD Note 4: Accomplishment of the actions are accomplished. required by this AD prior to the effective date (2) If any elevator servo tab or spring tab of this AD, in accordance with Embraer Alert hinge fitting is improperly attached, as Service Bulletin S.B. 145–55–A022, dated specified in the alert service bulletin, prior to September 24, 1999, or Revision 01, dated further flight, accomplish the requirements of October 7, 1999, is considered acceptable for
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