DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0483; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-006-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER)
Model EMB-135 Airplanes, and Model EMB-145, -145ER, -145MR, -145LR,
-145XR, -145MP, and -145EP Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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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:
It has been found the occurrence of smoke in the flight deck originated
from Pitot 1/2 and TAT 1/2 current sensor relays and [their] respective
sockets, caused by poor electrical contacts between those relays and their
sockets.
The unsafe condition is that smoke in the flight deck may interfere with
the flightcrew's ability to operate the airplane. 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 May 29, 2008.
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.
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: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, Inter-
national Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; fax
(425) 227-1149.
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-2008-0483; Directorate
Identifier 2008-NM-006-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 Agencia Nacional de Avia[ccedil][atilde]o Civil (ANAC), which is the
aviation authority for Brazil, has issued Brazilian Airworthiness
Directive 2007-11-04R1, effective December 21, 2007 (referred to after
this as "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
It has been found the occurrence of smoke in the flight deck originated
from Pitot 1/2 and TAT 1/2 current sensor relays and [their] respective
sockets, caused by poor electrical contacts between those relays and their
sockets.
The unsafe condition is that smoke in the flight deck may interfere with
the flightcrew's ability to operate the airplane. Corrective actions
include inspecting for damage of the Pitot 1 and 2 and TAT 1 and 2 current
sensor relays and sockets; and, as applicable, replacing the A1 and C1
electrical contacts of the sockets and reidentifying the sockets,
replacing the sockets, and replacing current sensor relays. Damage may
include melted points or stuck material of the silicone gasket, incorrect
shape of the current sensor relay/sockets, discoloration of contacts,
loose pin-type contacts, cracking or loose material of the polish and
sealant of the bases, contaminants of the current sensor relays/sockets,
and stuck material or roughness of the surface of the current sensor
relay/pin-type contact. You may obtain further information by examining
the MCAI in the AD docket.
RELEVANT SERVICE INFORMATION
Embraer has issued Service Bulletin 145-30-0052, dated August 2, 2007; and
Service Bulletin 145LEG-30-0019, dated August 28, 2007. 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.
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 704 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would
take about 8 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements
of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators
to be $450,560, or $640 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, 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: