[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61729-61733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21310]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18564; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-16-AD; 
Amendment 39-14352; AD 2005-22-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 
(EMBRAER) Model EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -
145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain EMBRAER airplane models as identified above. This AD requires 
modifying the total air temperature (TAT) sensor heating system. This 
AD also allows replacing the fully automated digital electronic control 
(FADEC) assemblies with new or modified assemblies as an additional 
means of compliance. This AD results from a report indicating that the 
FADEC unit failed to compensate for ice accretion on the engine fan 
blades due to a false temperature signal from the TAT sensor to the 
FADEC. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the TAT sensor, 
which could result in

[[Page 61730]]

insufficient thrust to take off or (if coupled with the loss of an 
engine during takeoff) to abort the takeoff in a safe manner, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 30, 2005.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 30, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    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 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:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://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 street address stated in the 
ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain 
EMBRAER Model EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, 
-145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -145EP airplanes. That supplemental 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 17, 2005 (70 FR 
48339). That supplemental NPRM proposed to require modifying the total 
air temperature (TAT) sensor heating system. That supplemental NPRM 
also allows for replacing the fully automated digital electronic 
control (FADEC) unit assemblies with new or modified assemblies as an 
additional means of compliance.

New Relevant Service Information

    EMBRAER has issued Service Bulletin 145-30-0028, Revision 10, dated 
March 22, 2005. Paragraph (f) of the supplemental NPRM refers to 
EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-30-0028, Revision 09, dated March 1, 2004, 
as the appropriate source of service information for modifying the TAT 
sensor heating system. The applicability statement of the supplemental 
NPRM also refers to EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-30-0028, Revision 09, 
as the source in which affected airplanes are identified. Revision 10 
of the service bulletin includes minor editorial revisions, but no 
substantive changes. Therefore, we have revised the applicability 
statement and paragraph (f) of this AD to refer to EMBRAER Service 
Bulletin 145-30-0028, Revision 10. We have also revised paragraph (g) 
of this AD to give credit for modifications done before the effective 
date of this AD in accordance with Revision 09.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Support for the Supplemental NPRM

    One commenter supports the intent of the supplemental NPRM.

Request To Add Additional Means of Compliance

    The airplane manufacturer comments that it has recently approved 
FADEC software version 8.0. (Paragraph (h) of the supplemental NPRM 
specifies that replacing the existing FADEC assemblies with new or 
modified FADEC assemblies that include software version 7.6 is 
acceptable for compliance with paragraph (f) of the supplemental NPRM.) 
The commenter notes that, because the same features relating to 
temperature reading in FADEC software version 7.6 are included in 
software version 8.0, FADEC software version 8.0 should also be 
referenced as an acceptable means of compliance with the proposed 
requirements. The commenter also lists the service bulletins for 
installing FADEC software version 8.0.
    We agree with the commenter's request. EMBRAER has issued the 
service bulletins specified in the table below.

Service Information for Installing FADEC Assemblies Having Software 
Version 8.0

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                            Which refers to Rolls-Royce
        For EMBRAER Model--            EMBRAER Service Bulletin           Revision                     Date                     Service Bulletin--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR,  145-73-0027...................  Original............  March 15, 2005................  AE3007A-73-079.
 -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR,  145-73-0028...................  Original............  March 15, 2005................  AE3007A-73-078.
 -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR,  145-73-0029...................  Original............  May 4, 2005...................  AE3007A-73-075.
 -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR,  145-73-0029...................  01..................  June 27, 2005.................  AE3007A-73-075.
 -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR,  145-73-0030...................  Original............  May 5, 2005...................  AE3007A-73-076.
 -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR,  145-73-0031...................  Original............  May 5, 2005...................  AE3007A-73-077.
 -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135BJ.........................  145LEG-73-0005................  Original............  June 7, 2005..................  AE3007A-73-079.
EMB-135BJ.........................  145LEG-73-0006................  Original............  March 8, 2005.................  AE3007A-73-078.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These service bulletins describe procedures for replacing existing 
FADEC assemblies with FADEC assemblies that have software version 8.0, 
including verifying the part number of the ITT trim plug and replacing 
it with an ITT trim plug of another part number if necessary. These 
service bulletins also refer to the Rolls-Royce service bulletins 
listed in the table above as additional sources of service information 
for replacing the FADEC assemblies. The EMBRAER service bulletins 
listed in the table also specify that installing the new or modified

[[Page 61731]]

FADEC assemblies that have FADEC software version 8.0 also necessitates 
upgrading the engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS), 
central maintenance computer (CMC), and IC-600 configuration modules, 
as applicable.
    We have revised paragraph (h) and Table 2 of this AD to include 
references to these service bulletins and the applicable actions in 
them.

Request To Add Reference to Rolls-Royce Service Bulletins

    One commenter requests that we revise Table 2 of the supplemental 
NPRM to give credit for replacing the FADEC assemblies with new or 
modified FADEC assemblies that include software version 7.6 in 
accordance with Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin AE3007A-73-067 or AE3007A-
73-069, as applicable. The commenter states that adding these service 
bulletins to Table 2 would save it a lot of time that would otherwise 
be needed to request an Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) and 
would save the FAA time that would be needed to address those AMOCs.
    We do not agree that any change to this AD is necessary to meet the 
intent of the commenter's request. Table 2 of this AD gives credit for 
replacing FADEC assemblies with new or modified FADEC assemblies that 
include software version 7.6 in accordance with, among other service 
bulletins, EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-73-0022 or 145-73-0024, both 
Revision 01, both dated July 15, 2004. We explain in the preamble of 
the supplemental NPRM that these EMBRAER Service Bulletins refer to 
Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin AE3007A-73-067 and AE3007A-73-069, 
respectively, as additional sources of service information for 
replacing the FADEC assemblies. We find that doing the actions 
specified in Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin AE3007A-73-067 or AE3007A-73-
069 is acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, provided that all applicable 
EICAS, CMC, and IC-600 upgrades; as well as any other applicable 
actions associated with upgrading the EICAS, CMC, or IC-600; are also 
done, as specified in paragraph 1.C., ``Description--Time for 
Accomplishment,'' of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-73-0022 or 145-73-
0024, both Revision 01, as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. No 
change to the AD is needed in this regard.

Clarification of AMOC Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators 
to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Number  of
                                                                Average                   Cost per      U.S.-
                     Action                       Work hours   labor rate     Parts       airplane    registered                Fleet cost
                                                                per hour                              airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the TAT sensor heating system...........            8          $65         $443         $963          434  Up to $417,942.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For airplanes modified in accordance with Revisions 04 through 08 
of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-30-0028, it will take about 1 work hour 
per airplane to do the additional modification specified in Part III of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated 
cost of doing this required action is $65 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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13

[[Page 61732]]

by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2005-22-08 Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): 
Amendment 39-14352. Docket No. FAA-2004-18564; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-NM-16-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 30, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to EMBRAER Model EMB-135BJ, -135ER, -135KE, 
-135KL, -135LR, -145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -145XR, -145MP, and -
145EP airplanes; as identified in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-30-
0028, Revision 10, dated March 22, 2005; certificated in any 
category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the fully 
automated digital electronic control (FADEC) unit failed to 
compensate for ice accretion on the engine fan blades due to a false 
temperature signal from the total air temperature (TAT) sensor to 
the FADEC. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the TAT 
sensor, which could result in insufficient thrust to take off or (if 
coupled with the loss of an engine during takeoff) to abort the 
takeoff in a safe manner, and consequent 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.

Modification

    (f) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the TAT sensor heating system in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-30-0028, Revision 10, 
dated March 22, 2005.

Modifications Done According to Previous Revisions of the Service 
Bulletin

    (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD are 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of 
this AD as specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Modifications in accordance with EMBRAER Service Bulletin 
145-30-0028, Revision 09, dated March 1, 2004, are acceptable for 
compliance with paragraph (f) of this AD.
    (2) Modifications in accordance with the revisions of the 
service bulletin in Table 1 of this AD are acceptable for compliance 
with the corresponding action in this AD, provided that the 
additional actions specified in PART III of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-30-0028, Revision 09, 
dated March 1, 2004, or Revision 10, dated March 22, 2005, are 
accomplished within the compliance time required by paragraph (f) of 
this AD.

          Table 1.--Previous Revisions of the Service Bulletin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    EMBRAER Service Bulletin      Revision              Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
145-30-0028....................         04  March 13, 2001.
145-30-0028....................         05  May 24, 2001.
145-30-0028....................         06  September 26, 2001.
145-30-0028....................         07  April 10, 2003.
145-30-0028....................         08  August 20, 2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit for Replacement of FADEC Assemblies

    (h) Replacing the existing FADEC assemblies with new or modified 
FADEC assemblies that include software version 7.6 or 8.0, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service bulletin listed in Table 2 of this AD, is acceptable for 
compliance with paragraph (f) of this AD. If the FADEC assemblies 
are replaced with new or modified assemblies as specified in this 
paragraph, all applicable engine indication and crew alerting system 
(EICAS), central maintenance computer (CMC), and IC-600 upgrades; as 
well as any other applicable actions associated with upgrading the 
EICAS, CMC, or IC-600; must also be done, as specified in the 
section of the service bulletin identified in the ``Paragraph Where 
Upgrades are Identified'' column of Table 2 of this AD.

                                               Table 2.--Service Bulletins for Upgrading FADEC Assemblies
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                      Paragraph where
         For EMBRAER Model--              EMBRAER Service Bulletin             Revision                       Date                     upgrades are
                                                                                                                                        identified
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0021.....................  Original..............  July 23, 2004...................  1.C., ``Description--
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Time for
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.                                                                                                            Accomplishment''.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0022.....................  01....................  July 15, 2004...................  1.C., ``Description--
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Time for
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.                                                                                                            Accomplishment''.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0023.....................  Original..............  June 28, 2004...................  1.C., ``Description--
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Time for
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.                                                                                                            Accomplishment''.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0024.....................  01....................  July 15, 2004...................  1.C., Description--
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Time for
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.                                                                                                            Accomplishment''.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0025.....................  Original..............  July 23, 2004...................  1.C., ``Description--
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Time for
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.                                                                                                            Accomplishment''.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0027.....................  Original..............  March 15, 2005..................  1.B., ``Concurrent
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Requirements''.
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0028.....................  Original..............  March 15, 2005..................  1.B., ``Concurrent
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Requirements''.
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0029.....................  Original..............  May 4, 2005.....................  1.B., ``Concurrent
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Requirements''.
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.

[[Page 61733]]

 
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0029.....................  01....................  June 27, 2005...................  1.B., ``Concurrent
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Requirements''.
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0030.....................  Original..............  May 5, 2005.....................  1.B., ``Concurrent
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Requirements''.
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135ER, -135KE, -135KL, -135LR, -  145-73-0031.....................  Original..............  May 5, 2005.....................  1.B., ``Concurrent
 145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR, -                                                                                                    Requirements''.
 145XR, -145MP, -145EP.
EMB-135BJ...........................  145LEG-73-0003..................  01....................  July 15, 2004...................  1.C., ``Description--
                                                                                                                                   Time for
                                                                                                                                   Accomplishment''.
EMB-135BJ...........................  145LEG-73-0004..................  02....................  October 6, 2004.................  1.C., ``Description--
                                                                                                                                   Time for
                                                                                                                                   Accomplishment''.
EMB-135BJ...........................  145LEG-73-0005..................  Original..............  June 7, 2005....................  1.D., ``Description''.
EMB-135BJ...........................  145LEG-73-0006..................  Original..............  March 8, 2005...................  1.B., ``Concurrent
                                                                                                                                   Requirements''.
EMB-145XR...........................  145-73-0026.....................  Original..............  June 28, 2004...................  1.C., ``Description--
                                                                                                                                   Time for
                                                                                                                                   Accomplishment''.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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 14 CFR 
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

    (j) Brazilian airworthiness directive 2004-01-02R2, dated 
November 29, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use EMBRAER Service Bulletin 145-30-0028, Revision 
10, dated March 22, 2005, to perform the actions that are required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this 
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), P.O. Box 
343--CEP 12.225, Sao Jose dos Campos--SP, Brazil, for a copy of this 
service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., 
room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2005.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21310 Filed 10-25-05; 8:45 am]
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