2009-15-18: Fuel

2009-15-18 Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (EMBRAER): Amendment 39-15981. Docket No. FAA-2008-1005; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-119-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 2, 2009. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to EMBRAER Model EMB-120, -120ER, -120FC, - 120QC, and -120RT airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 120001 to 120359. Subject (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: It was found one occurrence of a fuel booster pump circuit br[e]aker opening during an engine maintenance servicing. An inspection inside the fuel tank revealed the fuel booster pump[']s electrical harness chafing against its body, causing the loss of the electrical wiring protection and resulting in a short circuit. Further in-tank inspections have showed other fuelbooster pump electrical harnesses chafing either with the pump body and/or with adjacent fuel lines, causing damage to the harness protective layers and resulting * * * [in a] possible ignition source inside the fuel tank. * * * * * The corrective actions include revising the Limitations section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include a minimum fuel quantity, adding a minimum fuel quantity limitation for operation of the fuel booster pump, inspecting the fuel booster pump electrical harness of the left- and right-hand fuel tanks for damage, replacing any fuel booster pump assembly having a damaged electrical harness, installing clamps on the tank structure, and installing tie down straps for the fuel booster pump electrical harness. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions. (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, insert in the Limitations section of the AFM a copy of this AD or the following statement: The minimum fuel quantity inside each tank must be 300 kg (662 pounds) or 370 liters (97.75 gallons). (2) As of the effective date of this AD, any fuel tank defueling or other maintenance action which demands use of the fuel booster pumps is limited to a minimum fuel quantity of no less than 300 kilograms (662 pounds) or 370 liters (97.75 gallons) inside the respective tank. (3) Within 4,000 flight hours, or 24 months, or at the next scheduled or unscheduled fuel tank opening after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the following actions: (i) Inspect the fuel booster pump electrical harness of the left- and right-hand fuel tanks for damage on its external protection, in accordance with paragraph 3.F. (Part I) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016, dated January 9, 2008. If any damaged fuel booster pump electrical harness is found, before further flight, replace the affected fuel booster pump assembly with another fuel booster pump assembly bearing the same part number, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016, dated January 9, 2008. (ii) Install clamps and tie down straps on the tank structure and attach each fuel booster pump electrical harness to the left- and right-hand fuel tanks to avoid eventual chafing against the pump body, adjacent fuel lines, structure or any other part, and to prevent damage to the harness protective layers, in accordance with paragraph 3.G. (Part II) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016, dated January 9, 2008. (4) After complying with the actions in paragraphs (f)(3)(i) and (f)(3)(ii) of this AD, the limitations imposed by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD are no longer required, and the AFM revision required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD may be removed from the AFM. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) 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. Send information to ATTN: Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1405; fax (425) 227-1149. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (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 approvedby the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI Brazilian Airworthiness Directive 2008-05-01, effective June 13, 2008; and Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016, dated January 9, 2008; for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Embraer Service Bulletin 120-28-0016, dated January 9, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this 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: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.flyembraer.com. (3) You may review copies of the 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 or 425-227-1152. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http:// www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.