Aircraft
Certification Service Washington, DC U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
NM-07-40
July 9, 2007
This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin alerts operators
and Flight Standard District Office (FSDO) Principal Operations
Inspectors (POI), Principal Maintenance Inspectors (PMI) and/or
Principal Avionics Inspectors (PAI) of service difficulties and safety
issues associated with the deployment of the Embraer EMB-135/145
landing gear.
Background
An EMB-135 Flight crew reported that the LANDING GEAR/LEVER
DISAGREE EICAS message was displayed on approach. However, the landing
gear indications were green, indicating that all landing gear were
locked in the down position. Considering the absence of other aural
warnings and alerts normally generated during a gear up approach, the
crew decided to continue the approach to landing. During the landing
flare, the flaps and belly of the airplane made contact with the
runway, at which time the flight crew initiated a go around. The go
around was completed successfully and the landing gear was lowered
using the electrical override system. During the second approach the
flight crew reported receiving a FLAP FAIL EICAS message and an
uneventful flaps up landing was performed. No injuries were reported,
but the aircraft sustained damage to the inboard flaps trailing edge
and the belly fairing as a consequence of the gear being retracted
during the first landing attempt.
At this time, the airworthiness concern is under investigation, and the
FAA has not yet determined whether an unsafe condition exists that
would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the
Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.
The actions recommended below are intended to ensure safe landing gear
extension in the event of a LANDING GEAR/LEVER DISAGREE EICAS message.
Additional actions may be defined
pending the investigation outcome.
Recommendations
If a flight crew receives a LANDING GEAR/LEVER DISAGREE EICAS
message, they should follow the associated Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
procedure (reference attached Embraer Operational Bulletin 145-001/07,
dated June 29, 2007), regardless of the landing gear position
indications on the EICAS or RMU. If the EICAS message is received
during final approach, a goaround should be considered to allow
sufficient time to complete the AFM procedure at a safe altitude.
For Further Information Contact
Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration,
ANM-116 Transport Airplane Directorate, International Branch, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW, Renton WA, 98055; phone: (425) 227-1503; fax: (425)
227-1320; e-mail: tom.groves@faa.gov.
For Related Service Information Contact
EMBRAER – EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONÁUTICA S.A.
TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS
AV. BRIG. FARIA LIMA, 2170
SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS - SP - 12227-901
BRASIL
Fax: ++ 55 12 3927-7546
e-mail: distrib@embraer.com.br