Source: http://www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2000-07-26-00-18915
Timestamp: 2013-05-22 21:59:35
Document Index: 291954491

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 7114', 'art 3944', 'art 6726', 'art 140', 'art 5250', 'art 1739', 'art 30206', 'art 514', 'art 9740', 'art 180']

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A., Daily Rules, Proposed Rules, and Notices of the Federal Government
14 CFR Part 7114 CFR Part 3944 CFR Part 6726 CFR Part 140 CFR Part 5250 CFR Part 1739 CFR Part 30206 CFR Part 514 CFR Part 9740 CFR Part 180	Federal Register: July 26, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 144)
DOCID: FR Doc 00-18915
Docket ID: [Docket No. 2000-NM-133-AD]
SUBJECT CATEGORY: Airworthiness Directives; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER) Model EMB-120 Series Airplanes DATES: Comments must be received by August 25, 2000.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain EMBRAER Model EMB120 series airplanes. This proposal would require a onetime inspection to detect wear of the hydraulic pump hoses, and corrective action, if necessary. This proposal would also require relocation of the clip that secures the left forward holdopen rod of both nacelles. This action is necessary to prevent chafing and consequent rupture of the hydraulic line and loss of hydraulic pressure, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
SUMMARY: Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A., SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Comments Invited Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received. Submit comments using the following format:
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a selfaddressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 2000NM133AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM114, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000NM133AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 980554056.
The Departmento de Aviacao Civil (DAC), which is the airworthiness authority for Brazil, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain EMBRAER Model EMB120 series airplanes. The DAC advises that it has received a report of one case of rupture of an enginedriven pump hydraulic hose, possibly due to its friction against the clip that secures the [[Page 45935]]
lefthand forward cowling holdopen rod of both nacelles. The rupture led to the loss of the hydraulic fluid of the relevant system. This condition, if not corrected, could result in reduced controllability of the airplane.
EMBRAER has issued Service Bulletin 120290047, Change 01, dated October 22, 1996, which consists of two parts. Part I describes procedures for a visual inspection of all hydraulic hoses installed in both nacelles to detect wearout, chafing, or scores. Followon and corrective actions include ensuring a certain distance between the cowl rod clip and the hydraulic hoses, repairing discrepant hoses, relocating the clip that secures the left holdopen rod of both nacelles to prevent further chafing, and replacing the hydraulic hoses with those having the same part number. Part II describes procedures for relocating the clip. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. The DAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Brazilian airworthiness directive 961201, dated December 13, 1996, in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Brazil.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously. Cost Impact The FAA estimates that 200 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to inspect the hydraulic hoses, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,000, or $60 per airplane. It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to relocate the clip, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $15 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed clip relocation on U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,000, or $75 per airplane. The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
Empresa Brasileira De Aeronautica S.A. (Embraer): Docket 2000NM 133AD. Applicability: Model EMB120 series airplanes, certificated in any category, having serial numbers listed in EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120290047, Change 01, dated October 22, 1996. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent rupture of the hydraulic line and loss of hydraulic pressure due to chafing, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 75 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection to detect discrepancies (wear, chafing, or scores) of all hydraulic pump hoses installed in both nacelles, in accordance with Part I of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120
290047, Change 01, dated October 22, 1996. Prior to further flight, perform all applicable corrective actions in accordance with the service bulletin. Note 2: Accomplishment, prior to the effective date of this AD, of the inspection in accordance with Part I of EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120290047, dated August 22, 1996, is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
(b) Within 75 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, relocate the clip that secures the left forward holdopen rod of both nacelles in accordance with Part II of [[Page 45936]]
EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120290047, Change 01, dated October 22, 1996. Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO. Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta ACO. Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in Brazilian airworthiness directive 961201, dated December 13, 1996. Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 20, 2000. Donald L. Riggin,
[FR Doc. 0018915 Filed 72500; 8:45 am]
Robert Capezzuto, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE116A, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 7036071; fax (770) 7036097.