Document ID: FAA-2010-0733-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-500 Airplanes
Posted Date: 2010-07-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43049-43059]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18015]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0733; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-038-AD; 
Amendment 39-16375; AD 2010-15-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 
(EMBRAER) Model EMB-500 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above that will supersede an existing AD. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and 
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes 
the unsafe condition as:

[[Page 43050]]

    It has been found the possibility of heating deactivation of Air 
Data System (ADS) sensors due to its inadequate automatic logic, 
when ADS/AOA knob is on AUTO position associated with the following 
messages:

--DC BUS 1 OFF displayed on Crew Alerting System--CAS in conjunction 
with STBY HTR FAIL (which means loss of power on DC BUS 1); or
--EMER BUS OFF displayed on CAS (which means loss of power on 
EMERGENCY BUS); or
--ELEC EMERGENCY displayed on CAS (which means Electrical 
Emergency).

The loss of airplane air data sensors heating may cause ice buildup 
on their surfaces, which in turn may cause wrong pressure 
acquisitions resulting in erroneous flight parameters indication to 
the flight crew. Since this condition may occur in other airplanes 
of the same type and affects flight safety, an immediate corrective 
action is required. Thus, sufficient reason exists to request 
compliance with this AD in the indicated time limit.

This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 12, 2010.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 7, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On November 2, 2009, we issued AD 2009-23-11, Amendment 39-16085 
(74 FR 58195; November 12, 2009). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on the products listed above.
    Since we issued AD 2009-23-11, Empresa Brasileira de 
Aeron[aacute]utica S.A. (EMBRAER) has issued service bulletin 500-27-
0003, dated May 18, 2010. The service bulletin changes flap position 3 
from 36 degrees to 26 degrees. The service bulletin also changes flap 
position 3 Vref airspeeds and landing distance correction 
factors. Consequently, accomplishing the service bulletin necessitates 
changes to the Abnormal Procedures section of the FAA-approved airplane 
flight manual (AFM). The AFM changes were not included as part of the 
service bulletin.
    The AG[Ecirc]NCIA NACIONAL DE AVIA[Ccedil][Atilde]O CIVIL--BRAZIL, 
which is the aviation authority for Brazil, has issued AD No.: 2009-10-
01R2, dated July 28, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    It has been found the possibility of heating deactivation of Air 
Data System (ADS) sensors due to its inadequate automatic logic, 
when ADS/AOA knob is on AUTO position associated with the following 
messages:

--DC BUS 1 OFF displayed on Crew Alerting System--CAS in conjunction 
with STBY HTR FAIL (which means loss of power on DC BUS 1); or
--EMER BUS OFF displayed on CAS (which means loss of power on 
EMERGENCY BUS); or
--ELEC EMERGENCY displayed on CAS (which means Electrical 
Emergency).

The loss of airplane air data sensors heating may cause ice buildup 
on their surfaces, which in turn may cause wrong pressure 
acquisitions resulting in erroneous flight parameters indication to 
the flight crew. Since this condition may occur in other airplanes 
of the same type and affects flight safety, an immediate corrective 
action is required. Thus, sufficient reason exists to request 
compliance with this AD in the indicated time limit.

This AD action requires inserting information into the Abnormal 
Procedures section of the FAA-approved AFM. You may obtain further 
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might have also required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements take 
precedence over those copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because the 
loss of airplane air data sensors heating may cause ice buildup on 
their surface. This condition may cause wrong pressure acquisitions, 
resulting in erroneous flight parameters indication to the flight crew. 
Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment 
before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0733; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-CE-038-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments

[[Page 43051]]

received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of those 
comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-16085 (74 FR 
58195; November 12, 2009), and adding the following new AD:

2010-15-09 Empresa Brasileira de Aeron[aacute]utica S.A. (EMBRAER): 
Amendment 39-16375; Docket No. FAA-2010-0733; Directorate Identifier 
2010-CE-038-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 
12, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2009-23-11; Amendment 39-16085.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following Empresa Brasileira de 
Aeron[aacute]utica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-500 airplanes, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category:
    (i) Group 1 Airplanes (retains the actions and applicability 
from AD 2009-23-11): Airplanes for which service bulletin (SB) 500-
27-0003 has not been accomplished or that do not have an equivalent 
modification that was incorporated in the production line; and
    (ii) Group 2 Airplanes: Airplanes for which SB 500-27-0003 has 
been accomplished or have an equivalent modification that was 
incorporated in the production line.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 30: Ice and 
Rain Protection.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    It has been found the possibility of heating deactivation of Air 
Data System (ADS) sensors due to its inadequate automatic logic, 
when ADS/AOA knob is on AUTO position associated with the following 
messages:

--DC BUS 1 OFF displayed on Crew Alerting System--CAS in conjunction 
with STBY HTR FAIL (which means loss of power on DC BUS 1); or
--EMER BUS OFF displayed on CAS (which means loss of power on 
EMERGENCY BUS); or
--ELEC EMERGENCY displayed on CAS (which means Electrical 
Emergency).

The loss of airplane air data sensors heating may cause ice buildup 
on their surfaces, which in turn may cause wrong pressure 
acquisitions resulting in erroneous flight parameters indication to 
the flight crew. Since this condition may occur in other airplanes 
of the same type and affects flight safety, an immediate corrective 
action is required. Thus, sufficient reason exists to request 
compliance with this AD in the indicated time limit.

This AD action requires inserting information into the Abnormal 
Procedures section of the FAA-approved airplane flight manual (AFM).

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Group 1 Airplanes: unless already done, before further 
flight after December 2, 2009 (the effective date retained from AD 
2009-23-11), incorporate into the AFM the following procedures 
section revisions. You may insert a copy of this AD into the 
appropriate sections of the AFM to comply with the requirements of 
this AD.
    (1) Revise the AFM by replacing the ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY 
procedures in AFM section 4-08, Abnormal Procedures, with Figure 1:

[[Page 43052]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY10.049

[[Page 43053]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY10.050

    (2) Revise the AFM by replacing the DC BUS 1 OFF procedure in 
AFM section 4-08, Abnormal Procedures, with Figure 2:

[[Page 43054]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY10.051

    (3) Revise the AFM by replacing the EMERGENCY BUS OFF procedure 
in AFM section 4-08, Abnormal Procedures, with Figure 3:

[[Page 43055]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY10.052

    (g) Group 2 Airplanes: Unless already done, before further 
flight after August 12, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), 
incorporate into the AFM the following procedures section revisions. 
You may insert a copy of this AD into the appropriate sections of 
the AFM to comply with the requirements of this AD.
    (1) Revise the AFM by replacing the ELECTRICAL EMERGENCY 
procedures in AFM section 4-08, Abnormal Procedures, with Figure 4:

[[Page 43056]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY10.053

[[Page 43057]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY10.054

    (2) Revise the AFM by replacing the DC BUS 1 OFF procedure in 
AFM section 4-08, Abnormal Procedures, with Figure 5:

[[Page 43058]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY10.055

    (3) Revise the AFM by replacing the EMERGENCY BUS OFF procedure 
in AFM section 4-08, Abnormal Procedures, with Figure 6:

[[Page 43059]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR23JY10.056

FAA AD Differences

    Note:  This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (h) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to Attn.: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et.seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (i) Refer to MCAI ANAC, AD No.: 2009-10-01R2, dated July 28, 
2010, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 16, 2010.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
    Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18015 Filed 7-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P