preamble attached >>>
ADs updated daily at www.Tdata.com
PROPOSED AD EMBRAER S.A. (TYPE CERTIFICATE PREVIOUSLY HELD BY EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE AERONAUTICA S.A.): Docket No. FAA-2020-1073; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01303-A.
(a) COMMENTS DUE DATE

    The FAA  must receive  comments on  this airworthiness  directive (AD)
    action by October 25, 2021.

(b) AFFECTED ADS

    This AD replaces AD 2020-12-08, Amendment 39-21143 (85 FR 36312,  June
    16, 2020) (AD 2020-12-08).

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD applies to Embraer  S.A. (type certificate previously held  by
    Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica  S.A.) Model EMB-505 airplanes,  all
    serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5520, Elevator  Structure;
    5540, Rudder Structure; and 5751, Ailerons.

(e) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This  AD was  prompted by  reports  of  corrosion in  the mass-balance
    weights of the  flight control surfaces  and a determination  that new
    airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to
    address corrosion in  the mass-balance weights  of the flight  control
    surfaces. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss
    of mass or the detachment of the mass-balance weights, resulting in an
    unbalanced control surface,  which could lead  to flutter and  loss of
    airplane control.

(f) COMPLIANCE

    Comply  with this  AD within  the compliance  times specified,  unless
    already done.

(g) RETAINED COMPLIANCE TIMES FOR THE ACTIONS REQUIRED BY PARAGRAPH (H) OF
    THIS AD, WITH NO CHANGES

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g)  of AD 2020-
    12-08, with no changes. For  airplanes with a serial number  listed in
    Embraer  Alert  Service  Bulletin  SB505-55-A004,  Revision  5,  dated
    December 12, 2019 (SB505-55-A004R5): At the applicable compliance time
    specified in paragraph (g)(1), (2), or (3) of this AD, accomplish  the
    actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD.

(1) For airplanes  with a serial number listed in Group 1 of Embraer Alert
    SB505-55-A004R5:  Within 3 calendar days  or  5  hours time-in-service
    (TIS), whichever occurs first,  after July 1, 2020 (the effective date
    of AD 2020-12-08).

(2) For airplanes with a  serial  number  listed  in  Group 3 of SB505-55-
    A004R5: Within  30 calendar  days or  50 hours  TIS, whichever  occurs
    first, after July 1, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-12-08).

(3) For airplanes with a  serial  number  listed  in  Group 2 of SB505-55-
    A004R5: Within 60 calendar days  or  100 hours TIS,  whichever  occurs
    first, after July 1, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-12-08).

(h) RETAINED REQUIRED ACTIONS, WITHOUT REPORTING REQUIREMENT

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h)  of AD 2020-
    12-08, without the requirement  to report information to  Embraer. For
    airplanes  with  a serial  number  listed in  SB505-55-A004R5,  at the
    applicable  time  specified  in  paragraph  (g)  of  this  AD:  Do the
    inspections identified  in paragraphs  (h)(1) through  (6) of  this AD
    and, before further  flight, install or  replace the mass-balance,  as
    applicable, and replace the attachment parts, in accordance with Parts
    I  through VI  and Part  VIII,  as  applicable, of  the Accomplishment
    Instructions of SB505-55-A004R5; except, where the service information
    tells you to submit information  to Embraer, this AD does  not require
    that action.

(1) Do an inspection of the elevator horn mass-balance weights and attach-
    ment  parts  for  corrosion and  fragmentation,  and  weigh each  mass
    - balance.

(2) Do an inspection  of  the  elevator internal mass-balance weights  and
    attachment parts for corrosion and fragmentation, and weigh each  mass
    -balance. You must  remove and weigh  the mass-balance weight  even if
    there is no sign of corrosion or material fragmentation.

(3) Do an inspection  of the elevator adjustable mass-balance weights  and
    attachment parts for corrosion and fragmentation, and weigh each mass-
    balance.

(4) Do an inspection  of the aileron mass-balance weights  and  attachment
    parts for  corrosion and  fragmentation, and  weigh each mass-balance.
    You must remove and weigh the mass-balance weight even if there is  no
    sign of corrosion or material fragmentation.

(5) Do an inspection  of  the  rudder adjustable mass-balance weights  and
    attachment parts for corrosion and fragmentation, and weigh each mass-
    balance.

(6) Do an inspection  of  the  rudder  internal  mass-balance weights  and
    attachment parts for corrosion and fragmentation and, weigh each mass-
    balance. You  must remove  and weigh  the mass-balance  weight even if
    there is no sign of corrosion or material fragmentation.

(i) RETAINED REVISION  OF THE AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS SECTION,  WITH  NO
    CHANGES

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i)  of AD 2020-
    12-08,  with  no changes.  Within  10 days  after  July 1,  2020  (the
    effective date of AD 2020-12-08), revise the airworthiness limitations
    section (ALS) of the  existing maintenance manual or  instructions for
    continued airworthiness to add the information in table 1 to paragraph
    (i) of this AD and the initial compliance time information in table  2
    to paragraph (i) of this AD.

           TABLE 1 OF PARAGRAPH (I) – NEW AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS       
    ______________________________________________________________________
    MAINTENANCE
    REQUIREMENT      INSPECTION TYPE     INSPECTION TITLE      INTERVAL
    ______________________________________________________________________
    55-20-04-001     General visual      Internal GVI of    60 Months (MO)
                     inspection (GVI)    Elevator Mass
                                         -Balance Weight
                                         and Attachments

    55-20-04-002     Special detailed    SDI (Borescope          60 MO
                     inspection (SDI)    Method) of Elevator
                                         Mass-Balance
                                         Weight and
                                         Attachments

    55-40-04-002     GVI                 Internal GVI of         60 MO
                                         Rudder Adjustable
                                         Mass-Balance
                                         Weight and
                                         Attachments

    55-40-04-003     SDI                 SDI (Borescope          60 MO
                                         Method) of Rudder
                                         Fixed Mass-Balance
                                         Weight and
                                         Attachments

    57-60-00-001     Detailed visual     External DET of the     60 MO
                     inspection (DET)    Aileron
    ______________________________________________________________________


    TABLE 2 OF PARAGRAPH (I) – INITIAL COMPLIANCE TIME FOR THE INSPECTIONS
                               LISTED IN TABLE 1 OF PARAGRAPH (I)  OF THIS
                               AD                                         
    ______________________________________________________________________
    AGE OF AIRPLANE ON JULY 1,
    2020 (THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF           INITIAL COMPLIANCE TIME FOR
    AD 2020-12-08)                        EACH INSPECTION
    ______________________________________________________________________
    Less than 48 MO since the        Within 60 MO after the date of
    date of issuance of the          issuance of the original airworthi-
    original airworthiness           ness certificate or the original ex-
    certificate or the original      port certificate of airworthiness
    export certificate of
    airworthiness

    Between 48 MO and 72 MO          Within 12 MO after July 1, 2020 (the
    since the date of issuance of    effective date of AD 2020-12-08), or
    the original airworthiness       within 72 MO after the date of
    certificate or the original      issuance of the original airworthi-
    export certificate of            ness certificate or the original ex-
    airworthiness                    port certificate of airworthiness,
                                     whichever occurs first

    More than 72 MO since the        Within 30 days after July 1, 2020
    date of issuance of the          (the effective date of AD 2020-12-08)
    original airworthiness
    certificate or the original
    export certificate of
    airworthiness
    ______________________________________________________________________

(j) RETAINED  PROVISION:  NO ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS  OR  INTERVALS,  WITH  NO
    CHANGES

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j)  of AD 2020-
    12-08, with no changes.  After the ALS has been revised as required by
    paragraph (i)  of this AD,  no alternative inspection intervals may be
    approved, except as provided in paragraph (p) of this AD.

(k) NEW DEFINITION

    For the purposes of this AD,  "since new" is defined as since the date
    of issuance of the original airworthiness certificate  or the original
    export certificate of airworthiness.

(l) NEW ELEVATOR MASS-BALANCE ACTIONS (GROUPS 1, 2, AND 3)

    At the applicable compliance time specified  in paragraph (l)(1), (2),
    or (3) of this AD, clean, weigh and, as applicable, install or replace
    the elevator mass-balances;  or replace the elevator mass-balances; as
    applicable,  in accordance  with Part I of the Accomplishment Instruc-
    tions in Embraer Service Bulletin SB505-55-0004,  Revision  01,  dated
    June 24, 2020 (SB505-55-0004R01).  Where steps (1)(d), (2)(d), and (3)
    (e) of Part I  of the Accomplishment Instructions  in SB505-55-0004R01
    reference "criteria of the PART I,"  use the criteria  in section 1.D.
    of SB505-55-0004R01.

(1) For airplanes  with  a  serial number listed  as Group 1 or Group 3 in
    paragraphs 1.A.(1)(a)  and  (c),  respectively,  of  SB505-55-0004R01:
    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD.

(2) For airplanes with a serial number listed as Group 2 in paragraph 1.A.
    (1)(b) of SB505-55-0004R01,  which are not included in the effectivity
    of SB505-55-A004R5  or  Embraer Alert Service Bulletin  SB505-55-A004,
    Revision 06,  dated March 25, 2020 (SB505-55-A004R06):  At the applic-
    able compliance time  specified  in  paragraph (l)(2)(i), (ii), (iii),
    (iv), (v), or (vi) of this AD.

(i) For airplanes with 12 or fewer months since new as  of  the  effective
    date of this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.

(ii) For airplanes with more than 12 months but 24  or  fewer months since
     new as of the effective date of this AD:  Within 12 months  after the
     effective date of this AD.

(iii) For airplanes with more than 24 months but 36  or fewer months since
      new as of the effective date  of this AD: Within 9 months  after the
      effective date of this AD.

(iv) For airplanes with more than 36 months but 48  or  fewer months since
     new as of the  effective date of this  AD: Within 7 months  after the
     effective date of this AD.

(v) For airplanes with more than 48 months but 60  or  fewer months  since
    new as of  the effective date  of this AD:  Within 6 months  after the
    effective date of this AD.

(vi) For airplanes  with more than 60 months since new as of the effective
     date of this AD: Within 5 months after the effective date of this AD.

(3) For airplanes with a serial number listed as Group 2 in paragraph 1.A.
    (1)(b) of SB505-55-0004R01,  which are included  in the effectivity of
    SB505-55-A004R5 or SB505-55-A004R06: Before further flight.

(m) NEW AILERON MASS BALANCE ACTIONS (GROUPS 1 AND 2)

    At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (m)(1),  (2),
    or  (3) of  this AD,  clean, weigh,  and,  as  applicable, install  or
    replace the  aileron mass-balance  in accordance  with Part  II of the
    Accomplishment Instructions  in SB505-55-0004R01.  Where steps  (1)(c)
    and (2)(c) of Part II  of the Accomplishment Instructions in  SB505-55
    -0004R01 reference  "criteria of  the PART  II," use  the criteria  in
    section 1.D. of SB505-55-0004R01.

(1) For airplanes with a serial number listed as Group 1 in paragraph 1.A.
    (2)(a) of SB505-55-0004R01:  Within 60 months after the effective date
    of this AD.

(2) For airplanes with a serial number listed as Group 2 in paragraph 1.A.
    (2)(b) of SB505-55-0004R01, which are not included in the  effectivity
    of SB505-55-A004R5 or  SB505-55-A004R06: At the  applicable compliance
    time specified in paragraph (m)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD.

(i) For airplanes with 59  or  fewer months  since new as of the effective
    date of this AD: Within 60 months since new.

(ii) For airplanes  with more than 59 months since new as of the effective
     date of this AD: Within 120 months since new.

(3) For airplanes with a serial number listed as Group 2 in paragraph 1.A.
    (2)(b) of SB505-55-0004R01,  which are included  in the effectivity of
    SB505-55-A004R5 or SB505-55-A004R06: Before further flight.

(n) NEW RUDDER MASS BALANCE ACTIONS (GROUPS 1 AND 2)

    At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (n)(1),  (2),
    or  (3) of  this AD,  clean, weigh,  and,  as  applicable, install  or
    replace the rudder  mass-balances in accordance  with Part III  of the
    Accomplishment Instructions  in SB505-55-0004R01.  Where steps  (1)(c)
    and (2)(c) of Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions in  SB505-55
    -0004R01 reference  "criteria of  the PART  III," use  the criteria in
    section 1.D. of SB505-55-0004R01.

(1) For airplanes with a serial number listed as Group 1 in paragraph 1.A.
    (3)(a) of SB505-55-0004R01:  At the applicable  compliance time speci-
    fied in paragraph (n)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this AD.

(i) For airplanes  with 59  or  fewer months since new as of the effective
    date of this AD: Within 60 months since new.

(ii) For airplanes with more than 59 months but 119  or fewer months since
     new as of the effective date of this AD: Within 120 months since new.

(iii) For airplanes  with more than 119 months since new  as of the effec-
      tive date of this  AD: Within 6 months  after the effective date  of
      this AD.

(2) For airplanes with a serial number listed as Group 2 in paragraph 1.A.
    (3)(b) of SB505-55-0004R01, which are not included in the  effectivity
    of SB505-55-A004R5 or  SB505-55-A004R06: At the  applicable compliance
    time specified in paragraph (n)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD.

(i) For airplanes  with 59  or  fewer months since new as of the effective
    date of this AD: Within 60 months since new.

(ii) For airplanes  with more than 59 months since new as of the effective
     date of this AD: Within 120 months since new.

(3) For airplanes with a serial number listed as Group 2 in paragraph 1.A.
    (3)(b) of SB505-55-0004R01,  which are included  in the effectivity of
    SB505-55-A004R5 or SB505-55-A004R06: Before further flight.

(o) CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS ACTIONS

(1) This paragraph provides credit  for the actions required  by paragraph
    (h) of this  AD,  if you  performed those actions  before July 1, 2020
    (the effective date  of AD 2020-12-08)  using the service  information
    specified in paragraphs (o)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this AD.

(i) Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004, Revision 2, dated Novem-
    ber 6, 2019.

(ii) Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004, Revision 3 dated Novem-
     ber 13, 2019.

(iii) Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004,  Revision 4, dated No-
      vember 21, 2019.

(2) This paragraph provides credit  for the actions required  by paragraph
    (h) of this AD,  if you performed  those actions  before the effective
    date of this AD using SB505-55-A004R06.

(3) This paragraph provides credit for the initial inspections required by
    table 2 of paragraph  (i) of this AD,  if you performed those  actions
    before July 1,  2020 (the effective  date of AD  2020-12-08) using the
    service information specified in paragraphs (o)(3)(i), (ii), or  (iii)
    of this AD.

(i) Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004, Revision 2, dated Novem-
    ber 6, 2019.

(ii) Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004 Revision 3, dated Novem-
     ber 13, 2019.

(iii) Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004,  Revision 4, dated No-
      vember 21, 2019.

(4) This paragraph provides credit for the initial inspections required by
    table 2 of paragraph (i)  of this AD,  if you performed  those actions
    before the effective date of this AD using SB505-55-A004R5 or SB505-55
    -A004R06.

(5) This paragraph provides credit  for the actions required by paragraphs
    (l), (m) and (n) of this AD, if you performed those actions before the
    effective date of this AD using Embraer Service Bulletin SB505-55-0004
    dated March 25, 2020.

(p) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOCS)

(1) The Manager, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Val-
    idation Branch, 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  manager  of  the  General  Aviation  &
    Rotorcraft Section,  International Validation  Branch, send  it to the
    attention of the person identified in Related Information or email:  9
    -AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC,  notify your appropriate principal in-
    spector, or lacking  a principal inspector,  the manager of  the local
    flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(3) AMOCs approved for AD 2020-12-08 are approved as AMOCs  for the corre-
    sponding provisions of this AD.

(q) RELATED INFORMATION

(1) For more information about this AD,  contact Jim Rutherford,  Aviation
    Safety Engineer,  General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
    Validation Branch, FAA,  901 Locust,  Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106;
    phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.
    gov.

(2) Refer   to   Mandatory  Continuing  Airworthiness  Information  (MCAI)
    Brazilian  AD No.  2020-09-01, dated  September 8,  2020, for  related
    information.  You  may   examine  the  MCAI   in  the  AD   docket  at
    https://www.regulations.gov by searching  for and locating  Docket No.
    FAA-2020-1073.

(3) For service information identified in this AD,  contact Phenom Mainte-
    nance Support, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170, P.O. Box 36/2, Sao
    Jose dos Campos, 12227-901,  Brazil;  phone: +55 12 3927 1000;  email:
    phenom.reliability@embraer.com.br; website: https://www.embraer.com.br
    /en-US/Pages/home.aspx.  You may view  this service information at the
    FAA,  Airworthiness Products Section,  Operational Safety Branch,  901
    Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106.  For information on the availability of
    this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Issued on August 31, 2021. Ross Landes, Deputy Director for Regulatory Op-
erations,  Compliance  &  Airworthiness  Division,  Aircraft Certification
Service.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments  on this proposed AD  by  October 25,
2021.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-1073; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-01303-A]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate
Previously Held by Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.)
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2020-12-08, which applies to all Embraer S.A. Model EMB-505 airplanes.
AD 2020-12-08 requires inspections of the mass-balance weights of the
elevators, ailerons, and rudder (flight control surfaces) and their
attachment parts, and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the
airworthiness limitation section of the maintenance manual or
instructions for continued airworthiness to incorporate new
airworthiness limitations. Since AD 2020-12-08 was issued, the FAA has
determined that new applicable airplane serial numbers and new criteria
for the replacement of affected parts must be required in order to
address the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would retain the actions
required by AD 2020-12-08 and would require, for certain airplanes,
cleaning and weighing certain mass-balances and installation or
replacement, as applicable; and for certain other mass-balances for
certain airplanes, replacement of those mass-balances. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 25,
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Phenom
Maintenance Support, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170, P.O. Box 36/
2, Sao Jose dos Campos, 12227-901, Brazil; phone: +55 12
3927 1000; email: phenom.reliability@embraer.com.br; website: https://www.
embraer.com.br/en-US/Pages/home.aspx. You may view this service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1073; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone:
(816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
:

Comments Invited

The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include "Docket No. FAA-2020-1073; Project Identifier
MCAI-2020-01303-A" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
the proposal because of those comments.

Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this proposed AD.

Confidential Business Information


CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as "PROPIN." The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jim
Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.

Background

The FAA issued AD 2020-12-08, Amendment 39-21143 (85 FR 36312, June
16, 2020) (AD 2020-12-08), for Embraer S.A. (type certificate
previously held by Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.) Model
EMB-505 airplanes, all serial numbers. AD 2020-12-08 was prompted by
reports of corrosion in the mass-balance weights of the flight control
surfaces and a determination that new airworthiness limitations are
necessary. AD 2020-12-08 was based on mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the Ag[ecirc]ncia Nacional
de Avia[ccedil]ao Civil (ANAC), which is the aviation authority
for Brazil. ANAC issued Brazilian Emergency AD No. 2020-01-01, dated
January 9, 2020, to address the unsafe condition on all Embraer S.A.
Model EMB-505 airplanes.

AD 2020-12-08 requires, for certain serial-numbered airplanes,
inspecting the mass-balance weights of the flight control surfaces and
their attachment parts for corrosion and fragmentation, and corrective
actions if necessary, including sending inspection results to Embraer.
For all airplanes, AD 2020-12-08 requires revising the airworthiness
limitation section of the maintenance manual or instructions for
continued airworthiness to incorporate new airworthiness limitations.

The FAA issued AD 2020-12-08 to address corrosion in the mass-
balance weights of the flight control surfaces. The unsafe condition,
if not addressed, could result in loss of mass or the detachment of the
mass-balance weights, resulting in an unbalanced control surface, which
could lead to flutter and loss of airplane control.

Actions Since AD 2020-12-08 Was Issued

Since the FAA issued AD 2020-12-08, ANAC superseded Brazilian
Emergency AD No. 2020-01-01, dated January 9, 2020, and issued
Brazilian AD No. 2020-09-01, dated September 8, 2020 (referred to after
this as "the MCAI"). The MCAI states:

It has been found the occurrence of corrosion in the mass-
balance weights of the control surfaces. The corrosion may lead to
loss of mass or detachment of the mass-balance weights, resulting in
an unbalance control surface, which, in conjunction with certain
flight conditions, could lead to flutter and possible loss of
airplane control.

Since this condition may occur in other airplanes of the same
type and affects flight safety, a corrective action is required.
Thus, sufficient reason exists to request compliance with this
[ANAC] AD in the indicated time limit.

After [ANAC] EAD 2020-01-01 was released, a reassessment of the
unsafe condition by Embraer and, subsequently, the SB 505-55-0004,
revisions 0 and 1, dated March 25th, 2020 and June 24, 2020,
respectively, expanding the list of affected aircraft serial numbers
(S/Ns) as well as inserting more restrictive criteria to determine
the replacement of affected P/Ns.

Therefore, this [ANAC] AD retains the requirements of [ANAC] EAD
2020-01-01, which is superseded, and incorporates new applicable
aircraft S/Ns and new criteria for the replacement of affected P/Ns.

You may examine the MCAI at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-1073.

Comments on AD 2020-12-08


The FAA issued AD 2020-12-08 as a final rule; request for comments.
The FAA received comments on AD 2020-12-08 from Flexjet LLC (Flexjet),
an individual, and two anonymous commenters.

Flexjet and an anonymous commenter requested that AD 2020-12-08
allow credit for previous actions using Embraer Alert Service Bulletin
SB505-55-A004, Revision 5, dated December 12, 2019 (SB505-550A004 R5),
as that service bulletin is not listed in paragraph (l) of AD 2020-12-08
("Credit for Previous Actions" paragraph).

The FAA notes that the actions of AD 2020-12-08 must be done in
accordance with SB505-55A004 R5. Paragraph (f) of AD 2020-12-08
requires compliance "unless already done." Thus, AD 2020-12-08
already allows operators to take credit for using SB505-55A004 R5 if
done before the effective date of the AD.

Flexjet and an anonymous commenter requested AD 2020-12-08 include
Embraer Service Bulletin SB505-55-0004, dated March 24, 2020 (SB505-55-
0004), as this service bulletin addresses the worldwide fleet.

The FAA agrees. SB505-55-0004 includes additional actions, which
are required by ANAC AD No. 2020-09-01, dated September 8, 2020. This
proposed AD would include those additional requirements.

The individual commenter noted that SB505-55-0004, SB505-55A004 R5,
and Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004, Revision 06, dated
March 25, 2020, apply to different ranges of serial numbers and
requested the FAA clarify the correct serial numbers for AD 2020-12-08.

AD 2020-12-08 applies to all Model EMB-505 airplanes, regardless of
serial number. However, only those airplanes with a serial number in
SB505-55A004 R5 are required to do the actions in paragraphs (h) and
(k) of AD 2020-12-08.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004,
Revision 06, dated March 25, 2020. This service information specifies
procedures for inspecting the mass-balance weights of the flight
control surfaces and their respective attachment parts for corrosion
and fragmentation, and performing corrective actions on certain serial-
numbered Model EMB-505 airplanes. Corrective actions include
installation of a stainless steel mass-balance, replacement of the
mass-balance, and replacement of attachment parts.

The FAA also reviewed Embraer Service Bulletin SB505-55-0004,
Revision 01, dated June 24, 2020. This service information specifies
procedures, for certain airplanes, for cleaning and weighing the
elevator, aileron, and rudder mass-balances, and installing or
replacing the mass-balances (includes replacing attachment parts), as
applicable, and for certain elevator mass-balances for certain
airplanes, replacing those elevator mass-balances (includes replacing
attachment parts).

Embraer has also issued Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004,
Revision 5, dated December 12, 2019, which the Director of the Federal
Register approved for incorporation by reference as of July 1, 2020 (85
FR 36312, June 16, 2020).

This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

Embraer has issued Embraer Service Bulletin SB505-55-0004, dated
March 25, 2020. The actions specified in Embraer Service Bulletin
SB505-55-0004, dated March 25, 2020, are the same as those specified in
Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-0004, Revision 01, dated June
24, 2020; however, Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505 55-0004,
Revision 01, dated June 24, 2020, was issued to add serial-numbered
airplanes to the effectivity. No additional work is required for
airplanes on which Embraer Service Bulletin SB505-55-0004, dated March
25, 2020, has been accomplished.

FAA's Determination

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority,
it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
and service information described above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM


This proposed AD would retain the actions required by AD 2020-12-08
and would require, for certain airplanes, cleaning and weighing the
elevator, aileron, and rudder mass-balances, and installation or
replacement, as applicable of the mass-balances. This proposed AD would
also remove the reporting required by AD 2020-12-08.

For the retained requirement to revise the airworthiness
limitations section (ALS) of the existing maintenance manual or
instructions for continued airworthiness in paragraph (i) of this
proposed AD, the FAA notes the inspection tasks are part of Chapter 5
of the aircraft maintenance manual--Part III--scheduled maintenance
requirements. This proposed AD would require these tasks as new
airworthiness limitations.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information

Embraer Alert Service Bulletin SB505-55-A004, Revision 5, dated
December 12, 2019; and Revision 06, dated March 25, 2020, contain
procedures for inspecting for the integrity of the mass-balance weights
of flight control surfaces and their attachment parts. This proposed AD
would not include that requirement.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 392 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Cost on U.S. operators
Retained inspections from AD 2020-12-08 9 work-hours x $85 per hour = $765 $100 $865 $339,080
Retained ALS revision from AD 2020-12-08 1 work hour x 85 per hour = $85 $0 $85 $33,320
New cleaning, weighing, and replacement Up to 130 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $11,050 Up to $18,118 Up to $29,168 Up to $11,433,856

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
installations or replacements that would be required based on the
results of the inspections and weighing. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need these actions:

Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions

Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Installation or replacement Up to 129 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up to $10,965 Up to $18,118 Up to $29,083

The FAA has included all known costs in this cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost
impact on affected operators.

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.

The FAA is 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


The FAA 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 that the proposed
regulation:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,

(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-12-08, Amendment 39-21143 (85
FR 36312, June 16, 2020); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: