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 343ÐCEP 12.225, necessary. The corrective actions of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Sao Jose dos CamposÐSP, 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 VerDate 16<FEB>2000 16:34 Feb 23, 2000 Jkt 190000 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\24FER1.SGM pfrm11 PsN: 24FER1 9218 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 37 / Thursday, February 24, 2000 / Rules and Regulations actions, if necessary. The corrective Differences Between Rule and Related environmental, and energy aspects of actions involve replacing all affected Service Information the rule that might suggest a need to tabs with new or serviceable tabs. Part Operators should note that the modify the rule. All comments II of the Accomplishment Instructions parallel Brazilian airworthiness submitted will be available, both before also includes procedures for directive and the manufacturer's alert and after the closing date for comments, accomplishing a rework and performing service bulletin allow the repetitive in the Rules Docket for examination by a boroscopic inspection to verify correct inspection interval to be increased from interested persons. A report that installation (as specified in the alert 100 flight hours to 400 flight hours after summarizes each FAA-public contact service bulletin) of the fasteners accomplishing Part II (one-time detailed concerned with the substance of this AD attaching the elevator servo tab and visual inspection and boroscopic will be filed in the Rules Docket. spring tab hinge fittings to the elevator inspection) of the Accomplishment Commenters wishing the FAA to servo tabs and spring tabs, and replacing Instructions of the alert service bulletin. acknowledge receipt of their comments the fasteners (one at a time) with new However, this AD would allow the submitted in response to this rule must fasteners and washers, if necessary. The repetitive inspection interval to be submit a self-addressed, stamped boroscopic inspection is repeated to increased to 400 flight hours following postcard on which the following ensure correct installation of all replacement of all elevator servo and statement is made: ``Comments to replaced fasteners. spring tabs. Docket Number 99±NM±370±AD.'' The The DAC classified this alert service In addition, the FAA has determined postcard will be date stamped and bulletin as mandatory and issued that it is not necessary to accomplish returned to the commenter. Brazilian airworthiness directive 1999± the rework and boroscopic inspection Regulatory Impact 09±01R1, dated October 25, 1999, in recommended by Part II of the The regulations adopted herein will order to assure the continued Accomplishment Instructions of the not have a substantial direct effect on airworthiness of these airplanes in alert service bulletin on any elevator the States, on the relationship between Brazil. servo and spring tabs which have been the national Government and the States, replaced in accordance with this AD. FAA's Conclusions or on the distribution of power and The FAA has determined that responsibilities among the various These airplane models are replacement of affected elevator servo levels of government.