Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT Airplanes, 4075-4077 [E6-902]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 25, 2006 / Proposed Rules
4075
Actions
Compliance
Procedures
(3) If no signs of cracks, corrosion, or fractures
are found during the inspection required in
paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, you may reuse
the barrel nuts and bolts if they have been inspected and are free of deformation and
irregularities in the threads. Reinstall inspected parts to the correct torque value. If
the barrel nuts and bolts are not free of deformation and irregularities in the threads, install new parts to the correct torque value.
Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, unless already done.
Follow Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU–2
Service Bulletins referenced as JCAB T.C.:
No. 241, dated July 14, 2004, and FAA
T.C.: No. 103/57–004, dated August 2,
2004, as applicable, and the appropriate
maintenance manual.
May I Request an Alternative Method of
Compliance?
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(f) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane
Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to
approve alternative methods of compliance
for this AD, if requested using the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(g) For information on any already
approved alternative methods of compliance
or for information pertaining to this AD,
contact Andrew McAnaul, Aerospace
Engineer, ASW–150 (c/o MIDO–43), 10100
Reunion Place, Suite 650, San Antonio,
Texas 78216; telephone: (210) 308–3365;
facsimile: (210) 308–3370.
Federal Aviation Administration
Is There Other Information That Relates to
This Subject?
(h) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. MU–
2 Service Bulletins JCAB T.C.: No. 241, dated
July 14, 2004, and FAA T.C.: No. 103/57–004,
dated August 2, 2004, pertain to the subject
of this AD.
May I Get Copies of the Documents
Referenced in This AD?
(i) To get copies of the documents
referenced in this AD, contact Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nagoya Aerospace
Systems Works, 10, OYE–CHO, Minato-Ku,
Nagoya, Japan, or Turbine Aircraft Services,
Inc., 4550 Jimmy Doolittle Drive, Addison,
Texas 75001; telephone: (972) 248–3108;
facsimile: (972) 248–3321. To view the AD
docket, go to the Docket Management
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC, or on the
Internet at https://dms.dot.gov. The docket
number is Docket No. FAA–2006–23578;
Directorate Identifier 2006–CE–01–AD.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January
19, 2006.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6–912 Filed 1–24–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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15:04 Jan 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–23674; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–234–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Empresa
Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.
(EMBRAER) Model EMB–120, –120ER,
–120FC, –120QC, and –120RT
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Empresa Brasileira de
Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model
EMB–120, –120ER, –120FC, –120QC,
and –120RT airplanes. This proposed
AD would require a one-time inspection
of the interior of the internal elevator
torque tube of each elevator control
surface for oxidation and corrosion, and
corrective actions. This proposed AD
results from corrosion in torque tubes of
the elevators found during scheduled
maintenance. We are proposing this AD
to detect and correct corrosion in the
torque tubes of the elevators, which
could lead to an unbalanced elevator
and result in reduced controllability of
the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by February 24, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Empresa Brasileira de
Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box
343—CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos
Campos—SP, Brazil, for service
information identified in this proposed
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–1175;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed in the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number ‘‘FAA–2006–23674; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–234–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date
and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of that web
site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
E:\FR\FM\25JAP1.SGM
25JAP1
4076
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 25, 2006 / Proposed Rules
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the Docket
Management System receives them.
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
Discussion
The Departmento de Aviacao Civil
(DAC), which is the airworthiness
authority for Brazil, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on all
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.
(EMBRAER) Model EMB–120, –120ER,
–120FC, –120QC, and –120RT airplanes.
The DAC advises that, during scheduled
maintenance, corrosion was found
inside the torque tubes of the elevators.
Corrosion in the torque tubes can lead
to an unbalanced elevator. This
condition, if not corrected, could result
in reduced controllability of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
EMBRAER has issued Service Bulletin
120–55–0015, dated January 14, 2005.
The service bulletin describes
procedures for doing a visual inspection
of the interior of the internal elevator
torque tube of each elevator control
surface for oxidation and corrosion, and
corrective actions. If no oxidation or
corrosion is found and the internal
diameter of the torque tube is protected
(painted), the corrective action includes
cleaning the internal diameter and
applying a corrosion inhibiting
compound. If no oxidation or corrosion
is found but the internal diameter of the
torque tube is unprotected, the
corrective action includes cleaning the
internal diameter and applying a
chemical conversion coating, finishing
coat, and corrosion inhibiting
compound. If only oxidation is found,
the corrective action includes removing
the oxidation and applying a chemical
conversion coating, finishing coat, and
corrosion inhibiting compound. If
oxidation is found but cannot be
completely removed or if any corrosion
points are found, the corrective action
includes removing the affected elevator;
removing any oxidation or corrosion
from the interior part of the torque tubes
with sandpaper; and applying a
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:04 Jan 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
chemical conversion coating, finishing
coat, and corrosion inhibiting
compound. If the thickness of the
removed corrosion is greater than 0.005
inch, the corrective action is to replace
the corroded torque tube with a new
torque tube.
The DAC mandated the service
information and issued Brazilian
airworthiness directive 2005–10–03,
dated November 3, 2005, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Brazil.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
This airplane model is manufactured
in Brazil and is type certificated for
operation in the United States under the
provisions of section 21.29 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.29) and the applicable bilateral
airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to
this bilateral airworthiness agreement,
the DAC has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. We have
examined the DAC’s findings, evaluated
all pertinent information, and
determined that we need to issue an AD
for airplanes of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United
States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the
actions specified in the service
information described previously,
except as discussed under ‘‘Difference
Between the Proposed AD and Service
Bulletin.’’
Difference Between the Proposed AD
and Service Bulletin
Brazilian airworthiness directive
2005–10–03 is applicable to ‘‘all EMB–
120( ) aircraft models in operation.’’
However, this does not agree with
EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120–55–
0015, which states that only certain
EMB–120 airplanes are affected and
identifies them by serial number. This
proposed AD would be applicable only
to the airplanes listed in the service
bulletin. This difference has been
coordinated with the DAC.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
The ‘‘visual inspection’’ specified in
the EMBRAER service bulletin is
referred to as a ‘‘detailed inspection’’ in
this proposed AD. We have included the
definition for a detailed inspection in a
note in this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about
108 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
proposed actions would take about 3
work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
on these figures, the estimated cost of
the proposed AD for U.S. operators is
$21,060, or $195 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
Section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in Subtitle VII,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701,
‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority
because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the
national Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that the proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the
AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section
for a location to examine the regulatory
evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 16 / Wednesday, January 25, 2006 / Proposed Rules
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.
(EMBRAER): Docket No. FAA–2006–
23674; Directorate Identifier 2005–NM–
234–AD.
Related Information
(h) Brazilian airworthiness directive 2005–
10–03, dated November 3, 2005, also
addresses the subject of this AD.
Comments Due Date
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January
17, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6–902 Filed 1–24–06; 8:45 am]
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by February 24, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to EMBRAER Model
EMB–120, –120ER, –120FC, –120QC, and
–120RT airplanes, certificated in any
category; as identified in EMBRAER Service
Bulletin 120–55–0015, dated January 14,
2005.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
Unsafe Condition
[EPA–R04–OAR–2005–AL–0003–200539;
FRL–8024–6]
(d) This AD results from corrosion in
torque tubes of the elevators found during
scheduled maintenance. We are issuing this
AD to detect and correct corrosion in the
torque tubes of the elevators, which could
lead to an unbalanced elevator and result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Compliance
40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans and Designation
of Areas for Air Quality Planning
Purposes; Alabama; Redesignation of
the Birmingham 8-Hour Ozone
Nonattainment Area to Attainment for
Ozone
AGENCY:
Detailed Inspection and Corrective Actions
cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with PROPOSALS
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
SUMMARY: On November 16, 2005, the
State of Alabama, through the Alabama
Department of Environmental
Management (ADEM), submitted a
request for parallel processing to
redesignate the Birmingham 8-hour
ozone nonattainment area (Birmingham
area) to attainment for the 8-hour ozone
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS); and for EPA approval of an
Alabama draft State Implementation
Plan (SIP) revision containing a
maintenance plan with a 2017 end year
for the Birmingham area. The
Birmingham area is composed of two
counties, Jefferson and Shelby. EPA is
proposing to approve the 8-hour ozone
redesignation request for the
Birmingham area. Additionally, EPA is
parallel processing the redesignation
request and draft 8-hour ozone
maintenance plan SIP revision for the
Birmingham area (a required component
of any redesignation to attainment) and
(f) Within 4,000 flight hours or 730 days
after the effective date of this AD, whichever
is first: Do a detailed inspection of the
interior of the internal elevator torque tube of
each elevator control surface for oxidation
and corrosion, and the applicable corrective
actions, by accomplishing all of the
applicable actions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER
Service Bulletin 120–55–0015, dated January
14, 2005. The corrective actions must be
done before further flight after accomplishing
the inspection.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a
detailed inspection is: ‘‘An intensive
examination of a specific item, installation,
or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate.
Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying
lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface
cleaning and elaborate procedures may be
required.’’
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:04 Jan 24, 2006
Jkt 208001
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
4077
is proposing approval of this draft
maintenance plan because EPA has
determined that the draft plan complies
with the requirements of Section 175A
of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
This proposed approval is based on
EPA’s determination that Alabama has
demonstrated that the Birmingham area
has met the criteria for redesignation to
attainment specified in the CAA,
including the determination that the
entire Birmingham area has attained the
8-hour ozone standard. In this action,
EPA is also providing information on
the status of its transportation
conformity adequacy determination for
the new motor vehicle emissions
budgets (MVEBs) for the year 2017 that
is contained in the 8-hour ozone
maintenance plan for the Birmingham
area. EPA is proposing to approve the
2017 MVEBs.
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before February 24, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified Docket ID No. EPA–R04–
OAR–2005–AL–0003, by one of the
following methods:
1. https://www.regulations.gov. Follow
the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.
2. E-mail: lakeman.sean@epa.gov.
3. Fax: 404.562.9019.
4. Mail: ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2005–AL–
0003’’, Regulatory Development Section,
Air Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960.
5. Hand Delivery or Courier. Deliver
your comments to: Sean Lakeman
Regulatory Development Section, Air
Planning Branch, Air, Pesticides and
Toxics Management Division 12th floor,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 4, 61 Forsyth Street, SW.,
Atlanta, Georgia 30303–8960. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Regional Office’s normal hours of
operation. The Regional Office’s official
hours of business are Monday through
Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, excluding Federal
holidays.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. ‘‘EPA–R04–OAR–2005–
AL–0003’’. EPA’s policy is that all
comments received will be included in
the public docket without change and
may be made available online at https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit through
www.regulations.gov or e-mail,
E:\FR\FM\25JAP1.SGM
25JAP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4075-4077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-902]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-23674; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-234-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.
(EMBRAER) Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-
120, -120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes. This proposed AD
would require a one-time inspection of the interior of the internal
elevator torque tube of each elevator control surface for oxidation and
corrosion, and corrective actions. This proposed AD results from
corrosion in torque tubes of the elevators found during scheduled
maintenance. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct corrosion
in the torque tubes of the elevators, which could lead to an unbalanced
elevator and result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 24,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box
343--CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos--SP, Brazil, for service
information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Thompson, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-1175; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
23674; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-234-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register
[[Page 4076]]
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
The Departmento de Aviacao Civil (DAC), which is the airworthiness
authority for Brazil, notified us that an unsafe condition may exist on
all Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120, -
120ER, -120FC, -120QC, and -120RT airplanes. The DAC advises that,
during scheduled maintenance, corrosion was found inside the torque
tubes of the elevators. Corrosion in the torque tubes can lead to an
unbalanced elevator. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
EMBRAER has issued Service Bulletin 120-55-0015, dated January 14,
2005. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing a visual
inspection of the interior of the internal elevator torque tube of each
elevator control surface for oxidation and corrosion, and corrective
actions. If no oxidation or corrosion is found and the internal
diameter of the torque tube is protected (painted), the corrective
action includes cleaning the internal diameter and applying a corrosion
inhibiting compound. If no oxidation or corrosion is found but the
internal diameter of the torque tube is unprotected, the corrective
action includes cleaning the internal diameter and applying a chemical
conversion coating, finishing coat, and corrosion inhibiting compound.
If only oxidation is found, the corrective action includes removing the
oxidation and applying a chemical conversion coating, finishing coat,
and corrosion inhibiting compound. If oxidation is found but cannot be
completely removed or if any corrosion points are found, the corrective
action includes removing the affected elevator; removing any oxidation
or corrosion from the interior part of the torque tubes with sandpaper;
and applying a chemical conversion coating, finishing coat, and
corrosion inhibiting compound. If the thickness of the removed
corrosion is greater than 0.005 inch, the corrective action is to
replace the corroded torque tube with a new torque tube.
The DAC mandated the service information and issued Brazilian
airworthiness directive 2005-10-03, dated November 3, 2005, to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Brazil.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This airplane model is manufactured in Brazil and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DAC has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above. We have examined the DAC's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for airplanes of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously, except as discussed under ``Difference Between
the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Brazilian airworthiness directive 2005-10-03 is applicable to ``all
EMB-120( ) aircraft models in operation.'' However, this does not agree
with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-55-0015, which states that only
certain EMB-120 airplanes are affected and identifies them by serial
number. This proposed AD would be applicable only to the airplanes
listed in the service bulletin. This difference has been coordinated
with the DAC.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
The ``visual inspection'' specified in the EMBRAER service bulletin
is referred to as a ``detailed inspection'' in this proposed AD. We
have included the definition for a detailed inspection in a note in
this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 108 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $21,060, or
$195 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
[[Page 4077]]
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Docket No. FAA-
2006-23674; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-234-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by February
24, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to EMBRAER Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, -
120QC, and -120RT airplanes, certificated in any category; as
identified in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120-55-0015, dated January
14, 2005.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from corrosion in torque tubes of the
elevators found during scheduled maintenance. We are issuing this AD
to detect and correct corrosion in the torque tubes of the
elevators, which could lead to an unbalanced elevator and result in
reduced controllability of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Detailed Inspection and Corrective Actions
(f) Within 4,000 flight hours or 730 days after the effective
date of this AD, whichever is first: Do a detailed inspection of the
interior of the internal elevator torque tube of each elevator
control surface for oxidation and corrosion, and the applicable
corrective actions, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service
Bulletin 120-55-0015, dated January 14, 2005. The corrective actions
must be done before further flight after accomplishing the
inspection.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is:
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning
and elaborate procedures may be required.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(h) Brazilian airworthiness directive 2005-10-03, dated November
3, 2005, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 17, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-902 Filed 1-24-06; 8:45 am]
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