Document ID: FAA-2011-0216-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model ERJ 190 Airplanes
Posted Date: 2011-03-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13539-13541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5723]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0216; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-197-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 
(EMBRAER) Model ERJ 190 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    * * * The pylon internal shear pin was found cracked during a 
regular check. Further investigation revealed that the failure 
occurred due to hydrogen embrittlement. The ANAC [Ag[ecirc]ncia 
Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil] is issuing this AD to 
prevent insufficient strength of the pylon to wing attachment, which 
in combination with an engine imbalance caused by a fan blade out 
could cause pylon to wing attachment failure and consequent engine 
separation.
* * * * *
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 2011.

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 W12-40, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER), Technical 
Publications Section (PC 060), Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170--Putim--
12227-901 S[atilde]o Jose dos Campos--SP--BRASIL; telephone +55 12 
3927-5852 or +55 12 3309-0732; fax +55 12 3927-7546; e-mail 
distrib@embraer.com.br; Internet http://www.flyembraer.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Operations 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: Cindy Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-227-
2768; fax: 425-227-1149; e-mail: cindy.ashforth@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0216; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-197-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC), 
which is the aviation authority for Brazil, has issued Brazilian 
Airworthiness Directive 2010-08-02, dated September 20, 2010 (referred 
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    * * * The pylon internal shear pin was found cracked during a 
regular check. Further investigation revealed that the failure 
occurred due to hydrogen embrittlement. The ANAC [Ag[ecirc]ncia 
Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil] is issuing this AD to 
prevent insufficient strength of the pylon to wing attachment, which 
in combination with an engine imbalance caused by a fan blade out 
could cause pylon to wing attachment failure and consequent engine 
separation.
* * * * *
    Required actions include replacing pylon shear pins in the rear 
outboard and inboard shear pin assembly in the right- and left-hand 
pylons with new parts. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

    EMBRAER has issued Service Bulletins 190-54-0010, dated May 19, 
2010; and 190LIN-54-0001, dated June 21, 2010. The actions described in 
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed 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 the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an 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.

[[Page 13540]]

    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 73 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 10 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $2,360 per product. Where 
the service information lists required parts costs that are covered 
under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these 
costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, 
some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these 
figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to 
be $234,330, or $3,210 per product.

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 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 this 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Docket No. FAA-
2011-0216; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-197-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by April 28, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. 
(EMBRAER) Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 ECJ, and -100 IGW 
airplanes; and Model ERJ 190-200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW 
airplanes; certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54: 
Nacelles/Pylons.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    * * * The pylon internal shear pin was found cracked during a 
regular check. Further investigation revealed that the failure 
occurred due to hydrogen embrittlement. The ANAC [Ag[ecirc]ncia 
Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil] is issuing this AD to 
prevent insufficient strength of the pylon to wing attachment, which 
in combination with an engine imbalance caused by a fan blade out 
could cause pylon to wing attachment failure and consequent engine 
separation.
* * * * *

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Replace Shear Pins

    (g) For Model ERJ 190-100 STD, -100 LR, -100 IGW; and ERJ 190-
200 STD, -200 LR, and -200 IGW airplanes: Within 3,000 flight hours 
after the effective date of this AD, replace the shear pins having 
part number (P/N) 190-15178-003 and P/N 190-15181-003 in the rear 
outboard and inboard shear pin assembly in the right- and left-hand 
pylons, with new shear pins having P/N 190-15178-005 and P/N 190-
15181-005, respectively, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 190-54-0010, dated May 19, 
2010.
    (h) For Model ERJ 190-100 ECJ airplanes: Within 3,000 flight 
hours or within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, replace the shear pins having P/N 190-15178-
003 and P/N 190-15181-003, in the rear outboard and inboard shear 
pin assembly in the right- and left-hand pylons, with new shear pins 
having P/N 190-15178-005 and P/N 190-15181-005, respectively, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER Service 
Bulletin 190LIN-54-0001, dated June 21, 2010.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 1: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: The MCAI allows credit for previous installation of 
internal shear pins in accordance with EMBRAER 190 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual Task 54-50-00-400, Revision 19, dated July 15, 
2010. This AD does not allow credit for this task; however, under 
the provisions of paragraph (i) of this AD, we will consider 
requests for an alternative method of compliance.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (i) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to Attn: Cindy 
Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2768; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.

[[Page 13541]]

    (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.

Related Information

    (j) Refer to MCAI Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional de 
Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC) Airworthiness Directive 2010-08-
02, dated September 20, 2010; and EMBRAER Service Bulletins 190-54-
0010, dated May 19, 2010, and 190LIN-54-001, dated June 21, 2010; 
for related information.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 4, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-5723 Filed 3-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P